A ‘radical overhaul’ of the engineering sector is required to address ongoing staff shortages, according to Ochre House.

The talent management consultancy found that 80% felt sourcing suitably qualified engineers was either ‘difficult’ or ‘very difficult’, while only 18% believed that they currently had strategies in place to successfully deal with the shortfall.

Damien Stork at Ochre House says: “The sector faces an immediate problem because the general climate of uncertainty means many of the brightest and best engineers are simply not moving at the moment.

“Instead of just reaching out to the engineering community when they have a specific role to fill, recruiters need to be building long-term relationships based on advice, information and technical knowledge.”