Engagement Team in Action: Driving industry conversations into action across engineering and manufacturing

Written by Jeff Baker (Sector Engagement Lead)

Over the past two weeks, Enginuity’s Engagement Team has been focused on one clear priority: turning industry insight into practical action to address critical skills and workforce challenges across the UK’s engineering and manufacturing sectors.

A standout moment was the team’s presence at SUBCON and Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week at the NEC. These flagship events brought together manufacturers, training providers, technology organisations, and sector partners from across the country, creating a valuable platform for meaningful dialogue.

Across both events, a consistent message emerged. Businesses are increasingly open about the skills shortages they face and the growing pressure to recruit, train and retain a skilled workforce. Encouragingly, there was a strong appetite for collaboration, with organisations keen to explore joint solutions to strengthen the sector.

Sharing SME insights from the front line

As part of the programme, Enginuity delivered a presentation sharing direct insights from SMEs, highlighting workforce pressures, recruitment challenges and future skills needs.

The session resonated strongly with attendees, sparking constructive discussions around practical solutions. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the conversation—and for the warm engagement, including the occasional laugh. The response demonstrated a clear desire from industry for actionable support and stronger collaboration.

Strengthening partnerships across the sector

Alongside the events, the Engagement Team met with partners to explore opportunities to enhance support for employers.

Key discussions focused on:

• Apprenticeship reforms and alignment with employer needs
• Workforce development and upskilling
• Strengthening future talent pipelines
• Removing barriers to attracting and retaining skilled people.

These conversations are helping to shape more joined-up approaches that better support businesses in navigating current and future workforce challenges.

Addressing the NEET challenge

A further priority area was engagement with employers and stakeholders on the challenge of young people currently not in education, employment or training (NEET).

These discussions reinforced the importance of creating clearer, more accessible pathways into engineering and manufacturing careers, ensuring more young people can access opportunities while helping employers tap into a wider talent pool.

Key themes emerging across engagements

Across all activity, several common themes consistently surfaced:

• Ongoing recruitment and retention challenges
• Concerns around future technical skills shortages
• Growing interest in apprenticeships and alternative routes
• The need for clearer employer support and guidance
• Increased focus on productivity, automation and workforce planning.

Turning insight into action

While the past two weeks have generated valuable insight and connections, the focus now turns to delivery.

At Enginuity, conversations are only the starting point. Over the coming weeks, the Engagement Team will build on this momentum—following up with new contacts, developing partnerships, connecting employers with support and turning insight into practical outcomes.

By converting engagement into action, Enginuity continues to support businesses in accessing the skills they need—helping ensure the engineering and manufacturing sector is equipped to thrive now and in the future.