Bridging the Electronics Skills Gap: The Challenge Ahead and How We Can Help

The UK electronics industry is facing a critical skills shortage. With the average engineer aged 54 and 19.5% expected to retire by 2026*, the sector is at risk of losing a wealth of expertise just as demand for skilled engineers is increasing. While long-term efforts to promote STEM subjects are vital, we must also address the immediate shortfall and the challenges facing new entrants to the field.

* ref. Euro Project Recruitment Ltd @ Southern Manufacturing and Electronics, Feb 25

STEM Promotion: A Long-Term Solution?

There has been a big push to promote STEM subjects from primary school onwards, with initiatives designed to inspire young minds about engineering. These efforts are gathering pace but, one major hurdle remains—the public perception of engineering. When I tell young people that I am an engineer, their first reaction is often “so you go round houses fixing boilers?” Hmmm…not quite. Please don’t get me wrong, I’m beyond thankful to see a good heating engineer (technician?) when my boiler breaks down but, given everything that Scottish and wider UK engineers have accomplished, it blows my mind that this would be the first thought that comes to mind when we mention engineering. What about James Watt, John Logie Baird, Alexander Graham Bell, Lord Kelvin, James Clerk Maxwell, Alan Turing, Tim Berners-Lee and all the incredible advances that teams of UK engineers have made and continue to make. Without these people and their work, our World wouldn’t be anything like it is today.

Unlike doctors, lawyers or architects, engineers often lack recognition and status in society, which makes it a less attractive career path. If we want young people to pursue engineering, we need to elevate its prestige and showcase the impact engineers have on the world.

The Skills Gap: COVID’s Impact and the Education System

The pandemic disrupted university education, particularly in practical, hands-on fields like electronics. Many recent graduates have spent years learning remotely, leaving them with fewer opportunities to develop the critical thinking and troubleshooting skills that come from real-world lab work. Compounding this is an education system that prioritises exam results over problem-solving. While academic ability is important, true engineering expertise comes from practical experience and the ability to think critically under pressure—skills that are often overlooked in formal education.

What’s in It for the Next Generation?

Despite the skills shortage, many potential engineers are unaware of the opportunities available in the industry. Engineering offers diverse career paths, cutting-edge technology, and the chance to work on innovations that shape the future. However, compared to similarly educated professions such as law and architecture, engineering salaries remain disproportionately low, making it a less enticing option for young talent. Addressing this pay gap would go a long way in attracting and retaining skilled professionals.

Women in Engineering: Breaking Barriers and Creating Opportunities

The skills gap isn’t just about numbers—it’s about diversity. Women remain underrepresented in engineering, making up only 16.5% of the UK’s engineering workforce. While progress has been made, gender biases and societal expectations still discourage many girls from pursuing technical careers. Research suggests that girls are more drawn to careers where they can make a tangible difference in people’s lives. To attract more women into engineering, we need to frame the profession as a way to solve real-world, human problems—whether it's developing medical devices, advancing renewable energy, or ensuring the reliability of life-saving electronics.

The gender pay gap is another challenge. Women in STEM fields still earn less than their male counterparts, and female representation at senior levels remains disproportionately low. Addressing this imbalance requires not only pay equity but also visible role models and mentorship programs to support career progression.

Returning to the Industry: Bridging Career Gaps

Another often-overlooked group is people who have taken career breaks—whether for childcare, caregiving, or other personal reasons. Many highly skilled engineers struggle to re-enter the workforce due to outdated technical knowledge or a lack of confidence after time away. Offering refresher training, flexible work arrangements, and structured return-to-work programs can help tap into this valuable talent pool.

On-the-Job Learning and the Work-from-Home Challenge

One of the best ways to develop engineering expertise is through on-the-job training, working alongside experienced professionals. However, with remote work becoming more common, new engineers are missing out on hands-on learning, troubleshooting experience, and team problem-solving. While flexible work has its benefits, we need to ensure that mentorship and practical experience aren’t sacrificed in the process.

The Immediate Challenge: How We Support Capability Uplift

While long-term efforts to encourage young people into STEM careers are crucial, they don’t solve the immediate problem of retiring engineers and growing demand. This is where targeted skills development and transfer of knowledge plays a key role. At Forensic Eyes, we offer support to help engineers that are due to retire, to educate and pass their experience on to the next generation. Nothing replaces experience and so we remain on-hand to support new engineers after their training is complete and their mentors have retired.

Final Thoughts: Time for Action!

Outlining the issues, as so many have already done, doesn’t solve the problem. How do we begin to change this picture? The short answer is we all must play our part. Personally, I’m a woman in engineering and I have experience working up to leadership roles. My mission is to share that and encourage others through speaking at events, mentoring and supporting other women.

I’m also a mum. As my kids get older, I’ll be there shouting about career options to them and their classmates. I’ll educate them on the multitude of possibilities that science and engineering careers can bring them.

In my professional life, an important part of my business’s purpose is to provide bespoke training to help engineers and technicians develop real-world problem-solving skills—teaching them how to investigate failures, analyse materials, and troubleshoot problems. Our hands-on approach ensures that engineers not only learn the theory but also gain practical experience in identifying and solving technical challenges.

The UK electronics industry is at a crossroads. Without proactive efforts to bridge the skills gap, we risk a shortage of experienced engineers just as industry demand ramps up. We need to inspire young engineers, support practical learning, and invest in training to ensure the future workforce is ready to take on the challenges ahead.

If you’re looking to uplift your team’s capability, transfer knowledge and valuable experience, get in touch and we’ll arrange a chat.