With increased focus on research and development as well as the use of pioneering technologies to drive forward growth in the engineering sector, the challenge going forward will be to ensure that we attract the right people and skills to meet our growing needs, says Darren McVicker, Managing Consultant, Vickerstock Engineering Recruitment.
Manufacturing and engineering have long been the bedrock of the Northern Ireland economy. Renowned the world over for our historic prowess in shipbuilding, companies across Northern Ireland have not rested on their laurels and have built on our strong industrial heritage.
Diversification has now become the maxim for our engineering and manufacturing firms as they seek to build on their successes and we have companies the length and breadth of Northern Ireland changing tact, upping their game and moving into diverse and advanced fields.
You only need to look at Harland and Wolff to see the dynamism that has seen the firm leverage their vast marine construction experience to move into the development and manufacture of renewable energy devices.
Tapping into one of the fastest growing sectors in the global economy and also meeting a very real need to lessen our reliance on fossil fuels is paying off for the firm and they are not alone.
The future for engineering will be very different from the traditional perception that many hold. Engineers will work to address pressing global issues from healthcare to sustainability, energy to productivity.
And just as the challenges facing us globally must be faced head on, so must the challenges facing the engineering sector.
We need to leverage the expertise in firms like Bombardier, Wrightbus and others, who combine traditional engineering skills with a focus on research and development.
And as we go forward government, business and academia need to work together to ensure that the growth continues. We must continue to invest in emerging technologies and innovation to develop high-value products and materials.
Innovation and pushing the boundaries will ensure that not only are we changing with the needs of a globalised economy, but that we can compete in the global market.
Vital to this, as well as a concerted effort on all fronts, is a focus on skills.
Working at the coalface in engineering recruitment means that I’ve seen the highs and the low that this industry has faced. I’ve also seen the increasing need for high quality engineers who can adapt to this new economy we are in.
As a sector our success is dependent on recruiting, training and retaining key people. And while lessons have been learnt and there has been a drive to encourage young people to study engineering – we need to do more to highlight the importance of engineering to our economy as a whole.
Senior engineers too have their part to play. Yes, traditional engineering fields should and will continue, but these engineers also need to adapt to the rapidly changing nature of engineering.
Engineers must understand and engage with the latest technological advances, whether that is the development of low carbon technologies or biotechnology, nanotechnology, or even research into advanced materials such as composites.
Keeping pace is no longer enough as we seek to compete with the likes of China and India and engineers cannot take a passive approach to their careers or to driving forward their industry.
Every day we are placing highly skilled individuals into challenging roles, which stretch the traditional perception of engineering. The talent available in Northern Ireland is without a doubt of a global standard, but we need more of these people. Industry and our successful firms can only continue to operate and perform on the world stage if we invest now in addressing the need for more quality engineers.
Innovative engineering solutions to 21st century challenges see our engineering companies take their rightful place at the forefront of the local economy will only happen if we invest and develop a strong supply of engineers now.
VickerStock, Northern Ireland’s leading specialist technical engineering recruitment agency, offer recruitment solutions and expert engineering advice to candidates and companies within the construction and civil engineering sector as well as a range of engineering sectors including; aerospace, manufacturing and production, supply chain, ICT, electronics and electrical, civils and infrastructure, utilities and renewables.
Based in Belfast, offering both permanent and contract employment with Northern Ireland’s most sought after employers in the engineering sector, the organisation’s overall goal is to match highly skilled engineers with the specific demands of each individual organisation they represent.
For further information visit www.vickerstock.co.uk or telephone 028 9031 3720.