A busy show and a confident sector
The first thing we noticed was the attendance. Almost 10,000 people came to the show, and more than 400 companies were there showcasing their products and services. The halls were packed, the aisles were busy and the conversations were full of energy. Turnout like that says a lot. UK businesses are investing in new technology, and the UK is leading the way in it.
Across composites, automation, electrification, aerospace, automotive and advanced manufacturing, exhibitors weren’t just showing what’s possible. They were showing what’s already being built here in the UK. You could feel a real ambition to stay at the front of the global market.
Now the pressure is on talent
Investment in technology is only half of the story. The question we heard again and again on the show floor was this: do we have the people to deliver it?
If the UK is going to keep its position, companies need access to the right level of talent. That means engineers, technicians, project specialists and leaders who can design, build, maintain and improve these technologies. Demand for specialist skills keeps growing faster than supply. Businesses that can’t find the right people quickly risk losing ground, however good their technology is.
Having talent available isn’t enough on its own, either. Companies need the right talent, with the right experience, at the right time.pliance is back at the top of the agenda
Compliance has once again become a key factor in securing that talent. Businesses now have to manage IR35, right-to-work checks, security clearance for defence and aerospace programmes, and tighter rules on umbrella companies and the contractor supply chain.
Getting this wrong can mean financial penalties, damage to reputation and delays to projects. More and more, the companies that win the best talent are the ones that can bring people on board quickly, confidently and compliantly.
How Certain Advantage can help
This is where Certain Advantage comes in. Our sector specialists work in engineering and technical recruitment every day. They know the market, the skills that are in demand and the compliance rules that come with hiring them.
We can help you:
- Find specialist talent, both permanent and contract, from our established networks
- Stay compliant, with strong processes for vetting, right to work, IR35 and the supply chain
- Plan ahead, with market insight on salaries, availability and the skills you’ll need next
The UK has the technology and the ambition. Let’s make sure you have the people too.
Speak to the sector specialists in our team today to find out how we can help you secure the talent you need to keep the UK leading the way.