In spite of recent forecasts from the ONS showing unemployment has been at an 11 year low – the job market appears to be slowly recovering from its slump. The manufacturing sector is growing, and the UK economy is showing signs of stabilising. Now that the clouds are finally lifting, there’s good news for graduate engineers on the pay front too, according to new figures from the EEF, which show that salaries of entry-level engineers have increased by 4% since 2015.3
Engineering graduates can now expect to earn on average £28,000 per annum, compared to the average professional graduate salary of £22,984. This means those in entry-level engineering roles now typically earn over 22% a year more than their counterparts in other sectors – a clear indication that engineering is indeed a viable and sustainable profession.
Engineering solutions firm adi Group aims to spread this message, and therefore encourage more young people to enter the engineering sector and help plug the UK skills gap. Earlier this year, the Group launched the UK’s first pre-apprenticeship scheme for 14-16 year olds aimed at creating the engineers of tomorrow.
Alan Lusty, CEO of adi Group, commented: “The job market for engineers has received a lot of attention lately, whether it be the shortage of STEM graduates or questions about the future of the profession, but the truth is engineering continues to be a viable and in-demand profession. Both engineering graduates, and those further on in their career, can expect good salaries and job opportunities well into the future, and more so than their peers in other professions.
“Engineering is a career that offers immense gratification along with concrete economic benefits. Engineers are the driving force behind innovation – few jobs have such a direct role in defining and sustaining the way we live. It’s a highly skilled, highly rewarding career and yet there’s still a sense that engineering is one of the less prestigious professions out there.
“So, with such vital skills in short supply, adi took the initiative and launched the UK’s first pre-apprenticeship scheme for 14-16 year olds. More businesses need to follow our example, and we believe our pre-apprenticeship scheme will create a comprehensive model which other schools and employers are be able to replicate.”
Stepping-stone opportunities like adi’s pre-apprenticeship scheme are paramount to ensuring there are no gaps in the future workforce, by introducing young people to the world of engineering at an early age. adi Group has made it its mission to fight against this belief; with crisp white, modern offices and workshops, the solutions firm makes it clear that being in an engineering environment is a cutting-edge place to be.
Alan adds: “The stereotype that engineers are low paid individuals wearing greasy overalls and completing mundane tasks is just wrong. We’ve got engineers and specialists who have the most exciting jobs imaginable. We design and help bring to life things that will last, impact people every day and change the world we live in.”
For further information, visit http://adiltd.co.uk/careers/
