Engagement Team in Action: Tackling skills challenges through collaboration across the South

Written by Maia Rowe Sampson (Sector Engagement Lead)

Over the past month, much of my time has been spent out in the field, attending networking events and connecting with employers, educators, skills organisations and industry partners across the South. While every event was different, a common theme emerged throughout: a shared commitment to addressing the skills challenges facing engineering and manufacturing.

These events provided valuable opportunities to raise awareness of Enginuity’s work and engage with organisations that play a crucial role in developing future talent. I had the chance to speak with a range of SMEs, industry representatives and organisations including the Careers & Enterprise Company, sharing how initiatives such as our SME Snapshot Survey, 365 Faces of STEM campaign and Lead to Succeed programme are helping employers attract, develop and retain the talent they need.

Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK) Careers Day in London

One particularly rewarding event was the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK) Careers Day in London. It was inspiring to meet so many ambitious young people who are considering careers in engineering and technology. 

Throughout the day, I supported students with CV reviews, career advice and conversations about the wide range of opportunities available within the sector. 

Events like this are a show us the importance representation and outreach in helping young people see themselves in engineering careers.

Festo for the WorldSkills UK Automation Qualifiers

I also had the opportunity to visit Festo for the WorldSkills UK Automation Qualifiers. Seeing competitors put their technical knowledge and practical skills to the test was incredibly impressive. 

The competition highlighted not only the talent already coming through the pipeline, but also the importance of investing in technical education and skills development to ensure the future success of our sector.

Collaboration is key to tackle the skills gap

Across all these engagements, one thing has been clear: collaboration remains key to tackling the skills gap. Whether through conversations with SMEs, supporting young people into engineering careers, or showcasing the value of technical education, every interaction contributes to a stronger and more connected skills ecosystem.

As we continue to build relationships and share opportunities across the sector, we move one step closer to our mission of closing the skills gap and ensuring engineering and manufacturing businesses have access to the skilled workforce they need to thrive.