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November 8, 2024
Automation powered by AI is sweeping through countless industries and turning many long-established sectors on their heads. While AI might lead to job losses in some sectors, it could help to fuel growth in areas such as engineering. Engineers will be at the forefront of AI, automation and robotics that could mark the end of the road for some careers.
AI is not the only sector set for growth. We’re also seeing increases in demand for engineers with knowledge of green energy and sustainability. As a planet, we need to learn to live within our means, and this will lead to changes in the way we produce and consume energy. It will also drive demand for more sustainable practices that reduce our reliance on depletable resources.
For those starting their engineering career, this is certainly an exciting time. The jobs that will be available in 10 years time likely haven’t been thought of yet, so it will require flexibility and adaptability from the next generation of engineers. Those already in the sector will have an exciting opportunity to shape the future of engineering, paving the way for more efficiency.
Hiring managers need to act now to secure the kind of talent capable of delivering these seismic changes. And engineers need to start thinking about how to future-proof their careers by adding to their skills in order to be able to meet shortages in demand.
In this guide, we’re looking at some of the emerging specialisations in the engineering sector and what skills will be needed to meet demand. This can help employers and employees to prepare for these changes by making sure they are up to speed.
Perhaps the most obvious change to the engineering sector will be the advent of AI. While it might be present in many areas of our lives already, its reach is only going to grow. Computer engineers and software engineers will be at the forefront of this expansion, helping to make AI accessible and useful to more people.
There is a suspicion surrounding AI that makes a lot of people nervous, so there will also need to be checks and balances to ensure that any AI rollout is safe and monitored. Creating systems to monitor AI and keep users safe will also be essential. This will mirror the role of ethical hackers employed by companies to help thwart attacks in the early days of the internet.
As AI becomes more commonplace and prevalent, expect to see these skills cropping up in all engineering jobs, not just those tasked with training artificial intelligence.
In order to meet Net Zero targets by 2030, the world needs to radically reimagine how we live our lives. Green energy production from renewable sources is only going to grow as a sector over the coming years. Like the AI movement, we can also expect employers to look for engineers with green energy experience, even if their role isn’t directly linked to the sector.
Demand for structural, mechanical and civil engineers with experience in the green sector is set to explode as we build an infrastructure that can support green energy production. Our national grid, road network and public transport systems will need to be completely overhauled to make them sustainable and powered by renewable sources.
Other sectors that are due to explode include the home heating engineering sector. Almost 75% of homes in the UK are currently heated with gas central heating systems. The switch to electric heating and heat pumps is going to need considerable man power. Anyone working as a heating engineer can expect to be in demand for the foreseeable future.
While we know that we need to make our lives less reliant on fossil fuels, a lot of these solutions haven’t even been designed yet. Eco-friendly design that places sustainability at the heart is set to expand in coming years. Engineering sectors set to be transformed by this demand include materials engineering, process engineering and even electrical engineering.
Engineers who are interested in innovation and design will be well-placed to help find solutions to common problems as they arise. It will take ingenuity and a problem-solving approach to help rise to the challenges.
Fast fashion might be having its moment, but this practice is fundamentally at odds with sustainability targets. With this in mind, companies will be looking for ways to make manufacturing and materials more sustainable. Not only for the planet, but for profits, too. Finite resources mean that we can’t continue to produce at the same rate; at some point, something has to give.
Over the next 20 years, we can expect engineers will be tasked with driving down the cost of sustainable materials and manufacturing. These efficiencies will help to tackle the problem of waste and poor quality manufacturing which leads to items heading to landfill. We’ll also see more emphasis on the importance of a circular economy, so finding innovative ways to reuse and repurpose materials will be essential.
While AI and machine learning transforms white collar jobs by automating menial tasks, the same will happen in blue collar roles as robotics become more sophisticated and useful. Engineers will be tasked with revolutionising the manufacturing sector to make it safer and more efficient.
Robotics are not a new feature; alongside new applications, we’ll also need engineers capable of maintaining these ageing systems and updating them to meet current requirements and specifications.
Knowledge of the green energy sector will be vital for engineers going forward. The green revolution is likely to spread through different branches of engineering, with all workers required to have an understanding of how it applies to their discipline.
For engineers at the start of their career, gaining experience in green industries early on is likely to yield positive results in the long-term. This will enable you to leverage your knowledge to move into new sectors as they arise. Rather than wait for employers to start asking for these skills, you can get ahead of the competition by building your work experience in these growing sectors.
Innovation is going to be key in the future, and this is a difficult skill to demonstrate to prospective employers. As a student or young engineer, getting involved with challenges and competitions that require you to solve problems or find novel solutions is a great way to highlight these skills. Engineers are problem solvers by nature, but these skills can be difficult to highlight on your CV.
Adaptability is another key skill that employers will look for. The ability to learn new processes and ways of working will be essential in a future that hasn’t been designed yet. Engineers at every stage of their career can remain flexible by being open to new learning and training opportunities.
Companies will face a race to roll out new technology and be the first to market with innovations that could change the world. In order to achieve this, they will need to invest heavily in their staff to ensure they have the expertise to rise to these challenges.
Engineers will be in high demand, which means that hiring will need to move quickly. It’s also a good idea to think about headhunting alongside traditional job posting routes. Headhunting the skills that you need often requires a defined offering, with above market salaries or perks that make the move worthwhile.
Finally, employers should remain aware of market trends to ensure they can remain ahead of the curve. While many employees like the option to work from home, this trend could shift in the coming years as a new generation of workers enters the workforce.
Those that were forced to learn from home during the pandemic may crave interaction and collaboration that comes with an office environment. The challenge will be to meet the demands of existing employees while also attracting new talent.
Anyone thinking about studying engineering is well-positioned to snap up a future-proof career. Provided they remain adaptable and willing to learn more concepts and methods, there is no reason this shouldn’t be a lucrative career for life.
Present skills shortages mean that engineers can enjoy higher than average salaries, particularly for those with unique skill sets. As green energy expands and the government is forced to invest heavily in infrastructure in order to meet green targets, we can expect plentiful opportunities. Training in engineering or switching from another career will help the UK to avoid relying on overseas talent to plug these skills gaps.
Employers should think carefully about how they will attract and retain top talent moving forward, including keeping abreast of working trends to ensure their offering is always current. This will help to avoid the perils of losing top talent to headhunters.
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