A Market That’s Busy, But More Selective
Hiring across Food, FMCG, Pharma, and Packaging remains steady, driven by automation, sustainability projects, and the need to keep production lines running efficiently. Skilled maintenance engineers, especially those who are multi-skilled and electrically biased, continue to be the hardest to find.
At the same time, rising costs and economic caution mean employers are thinking more carefully about who and when they hire. Essential roles tied to productivity, modernisation, and site performance are taking priority.
Why the Skills Gap Isn’t Closing
A mixture of factors is keeping the talent pool tight. Experienced engineers are edging towards retirement, while apprentices and early-career engineers still have years of development ahead. Add in tightening visa rules, and it’s no surprise that hiring remains competitive.
Industries such as Food, Pharma, Packaging, Renewable Energy, and logistics-led operations are particularly active, with many regions seeing strong demand for both maintenance and automation specialists. And with digital transformation still a top priority for many manufacturers, engineers with PLC, controls, and automation experience continue to command premium salaries.
Engineers Know Their Value
It remains a candidate-driven market. Engineers are selective, mobile, and far more focused on development, shifts, and culture than ever before. Days-based roles and progression pathways are particularly appealing. Counter-offers are still common, and retention continues to be a tough nut to crack, especially for businesses not investing in their people.
Employers Shift Focus to Retention & Development
More companies are moving away from “hire when needed” thinking and towards long-term workforce planning. That includes:
- Better shift patterns and wellbeing support
- Clearer training and development routes
- Early investment in apprenticeships
- Stronger diversity and inclusion efforts
- More collaborative recruitment partnerships
These strategies aren’t just about filling jobs - they’re about building resilience in a market where good engineers remain in short supply.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The outlook for next year is steady but evolving. Demand for skilled engineers isn’t going anywhere, but hiring will continue to be more measured. Wage pressure is expected to continue, contract work will remain strong, and employers who invest in training, leadership, and digital capability will be best placed to navigate ongoing skills shortages. The businesses that get ahead will be the ones who plan early, invest in their people, and embrace modernisation, not just in engineering, but in how they attract, retain, and develop talent.
Download The Full Report
If you’d like the full detail - including sector insights, hiring trends, skills analysis, and our 2026 outlook - you can view the complete Q4 2025 Manufacturing Market Update HERE.