The growing shortage of skilled workers choosing to build their careers in manufacturing continues to influence the performance of the industry throughout the United Kingdom. According to the Office for National Statistics (2025), the number of people employed in manufacturing decreased from over 4 million to just over 2.5 million in the last 25 years.
While this drastic change is partially an effect of process automation, and therefore a drop in the number of positions required to run a manufacturing operation, many businesses still struggle to fill all positions necessary for the industry to grow at a steady pace. Based on research conducted by Barclays in 2024, 97.5% of manufacturers agree that hiring and retaining skilled workers poses a challenge to their business. Additionally, 75% of surveyed manufacturers believe that a shortage of skilled employees is one of the top barriers to company growth. All of this presents a challenge for the manufacturing industry, as many businesses need to invest extra resources into attracting employees to join them, as well as take on more responsibility for their training.
This challenge needs to be addressed collectively by the manufacturing industry. Developing talent through apprenticeships, engaging with local educational institutions and people entering the workforce are necessary steps to attract and retain talent in the sector.
To change the status quo, ZOT Engineering, a contract electronics manufacturer based in Musselburgh, Scotland, recently hosted groups of students from Napier and Heriot-Watt Universities’ schools of engineering. By collaborating with the lecturers of these two renowned institutions, ZOT successfully introduced manufacturing as a potential career path for talented and skilled individuals who may now consider developing their skills in the field of electronics manufacturing.
While these visits will not bring immediate change to the shape of the industry, initiatives like this can certainly bring significant improvements to businesses on a smaller scale. Introducing one’s business to the emerging workforce during their education stage places them among the first to be considered when applying for a first job after graduation. Even more importantly, inviting university students to see behind the scenes of electronics manufacturing will allow them to enter the workforce with a unique insight into the operations of a business in the sector. One of the lecturers at Heriot-Watt University stated that the “students found it to be a thoroughly rewarding and informative afternoon”.
About ZOT Engineering
ZOT Engineering is a leading contract electronics manufacturer established in 1975. By offering an integrated service including PCB manufacturing, electro-mechanical assembly, sheet metal fabrication and final box builds in one location in Scotland, ZOT enables their teams and customers to grow in all areas of manufacturing.
Sources:
1. UK Workforce Jobs SA : C Manufacturing (thousands), Office for National Statistics (2025), Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/timeseries/jwr7/lms
2. Exploring the skills shortage in UK Manufacturing, Barclays Corporate (2024), Available at: https://www.barclayscorporate.com/insights/industry-expertise/skills-shortage-in-uk-manufacturing/
3. Getting the most out of employer engagement in career guidance, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2021), Available at: https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/getting-the-most-out-of-employer-engagement-in-career-guidance_fbbc3788-en.html
