Engineering careers aren’t built in quick jumps, they’re built in layers. Yet much of the conversation around engineering careers today focuses on speed, i.e. faster progression, faster salary growth, faster moves. Titles change quickly, CVs grow longer and tenures get shorter. What often gets lost is the value of depth, stability, and long-term impact – … Read more
In words of The Clash, every year brings the same quiet question for engineers: Should I stay or should I go? But in 2026, that question feels heavier than usual. The market hasn’t collapsed, but it’s not carefree either. Skills shortages persist, yet businesses are cautious. Some roles look attractive on paper, while others feel … Read more
When engineering leaders talk about recruitment ROI, the conversation usually starts (and ends!) with cost. Agency fees.Salaries.Time to hire. Those numbers are easy to see, easy to compare, and easy to question. What’s much harder to quantify (and far more important) is the risk and long-term value embedded in every engineering hire. And that’s where … Read more
Most businesses say they want leaders. In practice, many end up hiring experienced role-holders and hoping leadership shows up later. On paper, the distinction feels subtle. In reality, it’s one of the most common (and costly!) hiring mistakes in engineering and manufacturing businesses. Because filling a role keeps work moving. Hiring a leader changes how … Read more
Most manufacturing leaders can tell you exactly where their margin pressure comes from. Energy costs. Materials. Supply chain volatility. Pricing pressure from customers. What’s less visible, and often far more damaging, is how skills shortages quietly bleed margin over time, without ever appearing as a single line item. By the time the impact is obvious, … Read more
Most engineering leaders will say the same thing when asked about recruitment: “We’re not short of CVs — we’re short of the right people.” In 2026, that gap between activity and outcome has widened. Despite high levels of hiring effort, manufacturing and engineering-led businesses continue to struggle with delivery pressure, long time-to-hire, and inconsistent … Read more
In late 2025, the UK manufacturing sector continued to list skills shortages as the biggest barrier to growth, with three-quarters of manufacturers saying gaps in talent are holding them back. Nearly as many cited recruitment and retention challenges as a key constraint on performance and competitiveness. This isn’t a temporary blip or HR problem – … Read more
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