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The defence sector must be armed with the right skills
9 min read | Andy Pearson | Article | | Skills shortages
‘A matter of life and death’ is not a phrase typically associated with skills shortages – but in this case, the stakes have rarely been higher. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and increasingly incendiary conflicts in the Middle East have driven military spending to the top of government agendas across the world. These growing geopolitical tensions are a troubling reminder of the need for sturdy defence provisions, but we continue to face a shortage of the skills needed to build them.
The UK defence sector grew by an astonishing 36% between 2013 and 2023, and last year generated over £28bn in turnover – driven mainly by exports and MOD spend. While it remains a key driver of prosperity, there are numerous impediments to its future growth trajectory, with an increase in competition, global security threats and accelerating technological development among these. Found at the heart of all these challenges, though, is the biggest threat of all – a lack of the people and skills we need both to match the momentum of growth in defence, and shore up the safety and security of our country.
There are a number of reasons for the present scarcity of expertise needed to support the UK’s defence sector. An industry transformed, the skillsets it would have needed twenty years ago bear little resemblance to those required now. Artificial intelligence, software development, robotics, and cyber security are now fully-fledged disciplines blazing a trail of versatile and continuously-evolving career paths across the engineering, technology, and data analytics professions – all of which are critical to and prolific in defence – but the number of people ready to pursue them is lacking.
It's clear that swift action is required to secure a pipeline of highly-skilled professionals with the technical expertise needed to fill the increasing number of vacancies in this sector – with areas such as aerospace engineering, systems engineering and advanced manufacturing seeing particularly high demand. So, what can be done to arm defence with the right skills?
Defence has historically faced an array of recruitment challenges, with stringent security clearances creating significant barriers to entry and shrinking the pool of available candidates. But perceptions of the sector are also an issue – and one for STEM careers in general. Often seen as inaccessible and only for the ‘clever few’, it’s clear that more needs to be done to highlight the opportunity these roles present and the impact that you can make in them.
For many, a career in defence engineering paints a picture of complex equations and solitary work on abstract projects that seem to have little connection to our everyday lives. It’s essential that we combat this myth, and champion the purposeful contribution that defence makes to society as a whole. Protecting our citizens, fuelling technological innovation, creating employment, and driving our green agenda are just a few of the ways in which the sector provides immense social value.
Despite the high-value career paths that they unlock, maths, science, engineering and technology continue to struggle when it comes to securing the levels of student engagement needed. The enduring perception of them as overly difficult, uninspiring, and lacking in inclusivity is difficult to dispel, but the escalating demand for professionals with finely-honed technical skillsets means that encouraging take up at school level and beyond is essential.
Improving the popularity of STEM pathways is naturally dependent on the collaborative efforts of government, industry and the education sector, but arguably the most important point of emphasis should be that these subjects require qualities in their students – other than technical understanding – that many would not immediately equate with STEM, but might recognise in themselves. An aptitude for problem solving, creative ideation, and clear and authentic communication, for example, are essential not only to academic success, but future career success, being traits that empower people to apply their technical knowledge to real-world problems. If we are to broaden the appeal of STEM subjects, depicting them in this holistic light will be vital.
The growing gap between training provisions and the skills businesses really need is not only impacting our present, but posing a threat to our future – and defence is one of the industries most under siege. This does not just apply to emerging, future-focused skillsets, but legacy ones that are not being taught to or studied by enough people, with examples including software languages like C or C++, hardware skills such as FPGA or PCB design, and core engineering skills like systems design, electrical design, and mechanical design. It’s clear that a long-term workforce strategy has yet to be fully realised, and further investment in training and education, earlier integration with industry requirements, and the promotion of competitive remuneration in defence is needed.
“The growing gap between training provisions and the skills businesses really need is not only impacting our present, but posing a threat to our future – and defence is one of the industries most under siege.”
Though the Apprenticeship Levy has – to some extent – helped give businesses the resources and autonomy to grow talent from within, many of the “earn and learn” options currently available to defence employers, such as bootcamps, apprenticeships, and graduate schemes, aren’t necessarily equipping candidates with the skills they need to hit the ground running from day one. This is where flexi-job apprenticeship agencies like Skills and Learning can help – creating paid job opportunities through custom-designed academies, and training individuals with the specific and dynamic skillsets you require.
A career in defence engineering requires a combination of technical acumen, a logical mindset, and willingness to collaborate. If an individual from a compatible adjacent industry demonstrates the attitude, values, and transferable skills that would make them a strong candidate for a role you’re looking to fill – even if that isn’t directly where their background lies – could you consider giving them the opportunity to make a sideways move? This is a route that’s arguably being made smoother by the rise of new, cross-functional technologies, which are leading to closer collaboration between sectors and a wider pool of shared knowledge.
While the nature of the defence industry means that many roles will require candidates with specific skills, knowledge, and experience, it’s worth considering whether there are certain areas in which you can demonstrate flexibility.
Looking to secure the skilled defence engineering talent capable of building a safer and more secure world for all? Submit an enquiry with us today. Or if you’re interested in hearing how Skills and Learning Academy Programmes can help you tap into undiscovered talent, please get in touch.
Andy Pearson, Director of Defence, Aerospace and Nuclear, Hays UK
Andy began his recruitment career over 20 years ago before joining Hays in 2021. He is a highly-experienced director focused on the development of talent management strategies within the defence, aerospace and nuclear industries, and as a STEM Ambassador, is passionate about inspiring the next generation in science, technology, engineering and maths.
