Job Search Trends Highlight Shift Toward Sustainability and Automation in Engineering and Manufacturing Sectors

CARDIFF, Wales - EntSun -- As the UK economy continues to adapt to the post-COVID era, recent studies from Sigma Recruitment shed light on the evolving dynamics of job search trends, providing valuable insights into the thriving and struggling sectors. The research indicates that the engineering and manufacturing industries have experienced substantial shifts in job search volumes over the past year.

Conducted by Sigma Recruitment, the study analysed keyword search volumes for various engineering and manufacturing positions, comparing the trending terms in early 2023 to the average monthly search volume for the prior 12 months. The findings showcased notable increases in job searches for sectors such as food manufacturing (+4%), life sciences (+9%), and aerospace (+11%). However, traditional fields like chemical (-19%), electronics (-13%), medical devices (-12%), energy (-11%), and oil & gas (-8%) witnessed decreased interest compared to the average monthly search volume in the past 12 months.

Despite the downward trends, jobs in the chemical and oil and gas sectors still maintain significant average monthly search volumes, with an estimated 1600 searches per month each.

Rhys Williams, the Managing Director of Sigma Recruitment, expressed, "We are seeing a shift towards industries where sustainability and automation are the core of their business." This trend is reflected in the increased search volume for STEM-related (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) jobs (+19%), as well as power generation (+15%) and manufacturing (+18%). Williams further emphasised, "where the trends in popular sectors such as chemical and oil and gas have trended downwards, in our experience they still remain popular and buoyant sectors for jobs. We are seeing more jobs requiring IT, data and analytical skills which may involve different type of online searches than traditional 'chemical engineering jobs"

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Companies are evidently seeking employees who possess skills that enable them to adapt to new technologies such as AI, robotics, and green energy solutions. The growing focus on sustainability has also fueled the demand for candidates with knowledge of renewable energy sources and sustainable materials production techniques.

The study also explored the types of job positions candidates were searching for, revealing intriguing insights. While searches for keywords like 'chemical engineer jobs' and 'aerospace engineer jobs' declined, searches for 'big data engineer jobs' experienced an upsurge.

The study highlighted 'chemical engineer jobs' as having the highest decline in search volume at -19%, closely followed by 'aerospace engineer jobs' at -15%. On the other hand, the most significant growth was observed in 'petroleum engineer jobs' with a 13% increase. Other roles experiencing increased interest included 'biomedical engineer jobs' (6%), 'environmental engineer jobs' (5%), and 'systems engineer jobs' (4%).

According to Sigma Recruitment, these changes can be attributed to advancements in technology, increasing environmental awareness, and shifting societal demographics. Williams added, "It is now more crucial than ever for companies across all industries to stay updated with current job market trends to ensure they attract the right talent for their businesses."

Engineering and Manufacturing Sectors Needs to Get Better at Attracting High Calibre Graduates
Furthermore, the study revealed that the engineering and manufacturing sectors face challenges in attracting high-caliber graduates. While searches for 'engineering apprenticeships' saw an 18% increase, 'manufacturing apprenticeships' experienced an impressive 50% surge in popularity. However, searches for 'engineering degree apprenticeships' dropped by 10%, and 'manufacturing graduate jobs' decreased by 100%. Organisations must explore innovative strategies to attract graduates to their workforce.

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Rhys Williams emphasised the importance of attracting graduates, stating, "Securing graduatess going to be key to organizations future-proofing their workforce with the right skill sets. They bring a high level of IT skills and tend to be increasingly environmentally and sustainably aware," Rhys said.

To address these challenges, organisations seeking ambitious candidates should consider new strategies such as offering attractive salaries, flexible working hours, or remote working options. Moreover, companies should focus on creating engaging content that resonates with graduates looking for their next career move. This could include showcasing inspiring stories of current employees or highlighting the values of the business that set it apart from competitors.

It is clear that businesses across the UK's engineering and manufacturing sectors need to adapt quickly to remain competitive in today's job market. By understanding what students and job seekers are looking for in terms of opportunities, companies can give themselves the best chance of securing top talent for their organizations.

With this new insight into job search trends, businesses are encouraged to consider how they can better target potential candidates. These trends suggest significant changes occurring within the UK's engineering and manufacturing sectors. Companies must now prioritise hiring individuals with specific skill sets if they want to stay competitive in this rapidly changing environment.

For more information about the study click here or to learn how your organisation can attract top talent in the evolving job market, please visit our website contact page.

About Sigma Recruitment:
Sigma Recruitment is a leading recruitment agency specialising in engineering and manufacturing sectors. With a wealth of industry knowledge and a commitment to providing consultative solutions, Sigma Recruitment helps organisations find the right talent to drive their businesses forward.