A new employment survey from the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) has revealed widespread skills shortages and persistent recruitment challenges across the chemical and process engineering sector, raising concerns about the UK’s ability to support growth in advanced manufacturing and other key industries.

Drawing on responses from more than 3,300 professionals and employers, the report paints a detailed picture of a sector under pressure, with implications that extend far beyond engineering and into the broader industrial economy.

Skills shortages expose systemic weaknesses

The survey found that 45% of respondents reported shortages in technical skills specific to their sector, signalling a significant gap between industry needs and workforce capabilities.

Beyond technical expertise, employers are also struggling to find candidates with essential cross-cutting competencies. These include problem solving, critical thinking, adaptability, resilience, and an understanding of safety and risk management, alongside digital capabilities.

This combination of shortages suggests that the challenge is not confined to specialist knowledge alone, but reflects a broader mismatch in how talent is being developed for modern industrial environments.

For manufacturers, the implications are substantial. Chemical, process and biochemical engineering underpin a wide range of sectors—including clean technology, defence, and advanced manufacturing—meaning skills gaps in these disciplines risk creating bottlenecks across entire supply chains.

Recruitment pipeline under strain

The findings also highlight structural issues in the talent pipeline. Among employers surveyed, 40% identified a lack of mid-career candidates as a key barrier to recruitment, while 22% pointed to low awareness of the sector.

This mid-level gap is particularly concerning for manufacturing businesses, where experienced engineers are critical to scaling operations, implementing new technologies, and maintaining safety standards.

The lack of awareness further compounds the issue, suggesting that chemical and process engineering is failing to compete effectively with other career paths for emerging talent. Without intervention, this could limit the sector’s ability to replenish its workforce and sustain long-term growth.

Sustainability and digital skills rising in importance

Looking ahead, the survey indicates a clear shift in the skills profile required by industry. Sustainability-related expertise—covering areas such as net zero, circular economy principles, and sustainable process design—is becoming increasingly central.

At the same time, digital transformation is reshaping the sector. Skills in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and automation are now seen as critical areas for development, reflecting the growing integration of advanced technologies into industrial processes.

“The skills needed across the sector are extremely diverse, covering areas from modelling and simulation, sustainability skills, process design, to process safety and beyond.

“It is also clear from the survey that the industry expects to see an even greater shift towards sustainability in the future, with net zero, the circular economy and sustainable processes driving meaningful change.” – Yvonne Baker, CEO of IChemE.

Implications for manufacturing competitiveness

The survey’s findings underline the extent to which engineering skills are foundational to the UK’s manufacturing base. Without targeted investment in training and workforce development, these shortages risk constraining productivity, slowing innovation, and undermining competitiveness.

Encouragingly, the report also identifies what employers value most in new entrants to the profession. A strong grounding in core fundamentals, coupled with critical thinking and the ability to learn and adapt, were ranked as the top attributes for graduates.

This provides a clear signal to educators and policymakers about where to focus efforts in order to better align education with industry needs.

A call for coordinated action

Ultimately, the IChemE report highlights the need for a more coordinated approach to skills development—one that addresses both immediate shortages and longer-term pipeline challenges.

For manufacturing leaders, the message is clear: closing these gaps will be essential not only to support growth ambitions, but to ensure resilience in the face of evolving technological and environmental demands.

The full Employment Survey report can be read in full below:



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