Job market information
Finding out about electronics and electrical equipment manufacturing
The electronics and electrical equipment manufacturing industry is part of the engineering manufacturing, science and mathematics sector, represented by Semta Sector Skills Council. This sector also includes the following industries: automotive manufacture; mechanical equipment manufacture; metals; transport equipment manufacture, including marine and aerospace; and science. Across the sector as a whole, the workforce comprises approximately 2 million people, working across around 75,000 companies. UK engineering and science turnover is over £250 billion. British engineering exports amount to 37% of total UK exports of goods and services. The UK is Europe’s top location for investment in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research and development.
The UK electronics and electrical equipment manufacturing industry covers:
- Electronics: one of the principal branches of electrical engineering and electronics companies include those that are involved in the business of creating, designing, producing and selling electronic systems, components and equipment (such as semi‐conductors), communications technology, consumer electronics, computers and other IT equipment. The UK electronics industry is worth approximately £23 billion a year and is now the fifth largest in the world in terms of production.
- Electrical equipment manufacture: companies are involved in the manufacture, design and development of electrical equipment. This includes: electric motors, generators and transformers; electricity distribution and control apparatus, insulated wire and cable; office machinery; photocopiers, cash registers and computer equipment; and television and radio receivers, sound or video recording equipment.
The electronics and electrical equipment industry is extremely fast moving and competitive. Research and development of new products and then getting them quickly into the markets is key to the success of many manufacturers.
Key facts:
- In electronics, there are an estimated 185,600 people employed, across 10,800 workplaces in Great Britain.
- 91% of all UK electronics employers employ less than 50 people and only 2% employ 200 people or more.
- The greatest concentrations of employment in the electronics industry are in the South East, East of England, Scotland and the South West.
- In electrical equipment, there are an estimated 108,800 people employed, in over 5,600 workplaces.
- In the electrical equipment industry, the greatest concentrations of employment are in the South East and the West Midlands.
- 91% of the electronics workforce and 92% of the electrical equipment workforce are full‐time.
- In engineering, an estimated 6% of the workforce is self‐employed.
Jobs in the industry range from: manufacturing production manager, design engineer, electronics engineer, mechanical engineer, production engineer, quality control inspector, engineering maintenance technician, laboratory technician, assembler, labourers in process and plant operations.
Entry and progression
There is a range of relevant industry endorsed courses (at foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate level), apprenticeships, vocational qualifications and training schemes available. Entry requirements vary considerably in the industry. The following gives an overview of some of the qualifications required at different levels:
- Managers and senior officials – Often have a degree in an engineering discipline; or in a management or production management subject; or a higher national certificate/diploma (HNC/HND) combined with work experience, such as having completed an advanced apprenticeship.
- Professionals – Most would usually have a degree in an engineering specific discipline or a subject physical science, such as physics or chemistry. Specific levels of study and experience would be required for professional engineers seeking to become a chartered or incorporated engineer.
- Associate professional and technical occupations – Most enter through Advanced Apprenticeships, which require GCSEs. Most technician apprentices study for Level 3 qualifications. Specific levels of experience and study would be required by those seeking professional registration as engineering technicians.
- Administrative and secretarial occupations – There are often no formal academic qualifications required to work in this role although mathematics, English and IT skills are advantageous.
- Skilled trades' occupations – Most enter through Advanced Apprenticeships, which require GCSEs. Many will have work‐based competencies to Level 3 and have gained the relevant vocational qualifications.
- Process, plant and machine operatives – Some employees enter through Apprenticeships or equivalent qualifications. Some working in specialised jobs may have work‐based competencies to Level 2 and have gained the relevant vocational qualifications.
- Elementary occupations – There are often no formal academic qualifications required to work in this role although mathematics, English and IT skills are advantageous. Some labourers may be qualified to drive a fork‐lift truck, use lifting equipment or hold health and safety certificates.
There are a wide range of opportunities at different levels for those wishing to change career direction and enter the industry. At the craft, technician, professional and management occupational levels, there are opportunities for people who hold relevant degrees, Further Education qualifications or other industry recognised certificates and who have work experience in an engineering environment.
Whilst formal qualifications are not always required for operator and assembly jobs, transferable skills such as team working, an ability to follow diagrams and instructions, basic mathematical understanding and practical skills are an advantage to those wishing to transfer into these occupations.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
294,400 |
|---|
| Number of UK employers: |
16,400 |
|---|
| Gender: |
|---|
| 19% of the UK engineering workforce across all occupations is female, including assembly type occupations, office staff and sales and marketing. |
| 17% of all engineering management roles are occupied by women. |
| 7% of professional roles are occupied by women. |
[N.B. Data derived from Annual Business Inquiry, 2007 and Census, 2001.]
Employment trends and future prospects
In the UK, some companies have outsourced assembly and manufacturing processes to sites outside of the UK, so reducing the number of jobs available for assembly and craft skilled workers. However, much high level development and specialist manufacture is still carried out at companies across the UK. Due to the recent economic climate, it is not possible to predict the long term figures for company requirements for numbers of employees, but many companies are trying to reduce costs without closing their businesses.
Skill requirements and shortages
All sectors in the economy face major skill challenges as the nature of work alters and global competition intensifies. The pace of change is likely to be particularly rapid within most parts of the engineering industry. Employees with no qualifications are likely to face particular challenges.
The ageing of the current workforce is a concern for many employers. Because many skilled and experienced workers are approaching retirement age, there will be a need to replace them with other skilled craft, technical and professional workers.
The main skills gaps for the electronics and electrical equipment industry are:
- Computer Aided Design (CAD)
- CNC Machine Operation
- Assembly line/ production robotics
- Electronics
- Electrical engineering
Occupational trends
Occupations crucial for the future across the whole sector include:
- Design engineers
- Electronic engineers
- Production engineers
- Technicians – equipment, process and product
- Maintenance
- Toolmaking
- Prototyping
The following will affect new and emerging jobs:
- There is a constant need to take advantage of new technologies.
- The demand for short design cycles and short manufacturing cycles requires an increasingly greater breadth of skills for scientists, engineers and designers that enter the industry. This breadth of skills will need to include an understanding of manufacturing process improvement and business improvement to increase efficiency and save on time and costs in the workplace.
- Future developments are predicted to include even greater use of electronics technology in medical applications, both for diagnosing and monitoring illness and for use in lifesaving and life enhancing operations. This will require engineers and scientists that understand the potential for using new technologies in health and medicine.
- Alternative sources of power generation – roles will emerge for people with a background and understanding in this area.
- Legislation means that electronics and electrical manufacturers are responsible for financing the collection, treatment, and recovery of waste electrical and electronic equipment. There is likely to be more roles emerging for people who know how to recycle a product at the end of its life, as well as being able to design products and manufacturing processes that minimise wastage during manufacturing (or make it easier to dismantle or recycle parts of a product when it reaches the end of its useful life).
Overall, graduates in the future will need multi‐disciplinary understanding of both mechanical and electronic systems.
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are an estimated 10,700 people employed in just over 710 electronics companies and 10,500 people in just over 500 electrical equipment manufacture companies in the region. There is a total requirement of 4,680 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: assembly line/production robotics; Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); and sign making. 62% of the workforce is employed as assemblers (electrical goods). Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Derby City, Leicester City, South Derbyshire, Charnwood, Hinckley and Bosworth and Ashfield.
East of England – There are an estimated 26,300 people employed in just over 1,430 electronics companies and 10,100 people in just under 710 electrical equipment manufacture companies in the region. There is a total requirement of 11,220 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Computer Aided Design (CAD); general engineering skills; Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM); Computer Aided Engineering (CME); assembly line/production robotics; craft skills; general machining; and sign making. 66% of the workforce is employed as assemblers (electrical goods). There are above average concentrations of employment in the electronics and mechanical equipment industries. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Peterborough, Huntingdonshire, South Cambridgeshire, Luton and Basildon.
London – There are an estimated 8,700 people employed in just over 1,210 electronics companies and 4,600 people in just over 480 electrical equipment manufacture companies in the region. There is a total requirement of 2,120 employees needed in the region between 2005 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Computer Aided Design (CAD); Computer Aided Engineering (CME); Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); welding skills; electronics; and general machining. 59% of the workforce is employed as assemblers (electrical products). Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Barking and Dagenham, Hillingdon, Ealing and Hounslow.
North East – There are an estimated 3,800 people employed in just under 260 electronics companies and 6,400 people in just under 190 electrical equipment manufacture companies in the region. There is a total requirement of 2,360 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM); Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); manufacturing; sign making; and radio frequency engineering. 76% of the workforce is employed as assemblers (electrical products). There are above average concentrations of employment in the automotive and electronics industries. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, Sunderland and Sedgefield.
North West – There are an estimated 13,300 people employed in 1,000 electronics companies and 11,900 people in 620 electrical equipment manufacture companies in the region. There is a total requirement of 8,870 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: electronics; Computer Aided Design (CAD); Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM); and CNC machine operation. 66% of the workforce is employed as assemblers (electrical products). Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Fylde, Knowsley, Crewe and Nantwich, Stockport, Oldham and Preston.
South East – There are an estimated 44,800 people employed in 2,170 electronics companies and 17,700 people in 1,010 electrical equipment manufacture companies in the region. There is a total requirement of 7,800 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Computer Aided Design (CAD); CNC machine operation; general engineering skills; Computer Aided Engineering (CME); assembly line/production robotics; welding skills; electronics; and software engineering. 63% of the workforce is employed as assemblers (electrical products). There are above average concentrations of employment in the electronics and electrical industry. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around West Berkshire, Basingstoke and Deane, Milton Keynes, Eastleigh, Portsmouth, Crawley and Medway.
South West – There are an estimated 21,000 people employed in 965 electronics companies and 11,700 people in 525 electrical equipment manufacture companies in the region. There is a total requirement of 4,960 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Computer Aided Design (CAD); Computer Aided Engineering (CME); assembly line/production robotics; CNC machine operation; tool setting; and mechanical engineering. 66% of the workforce is employed as assemblers (electrical products). Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Tewkesbury, Cheltenham, Stroud, South Gloucestershire, Bristol, Swindon, South Somerset, Poole and Plymouth.
West Midlands – There are an estimated 15,200 people employed in just under 900 electronics companies and 11,200 people in just under 615 electrical equipment manufacture companies in the region. There is a total requirement of 2,580 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: electronics; electrical engineering; Computer Aided Engineering (CME); CNC machine operation; general engineering skills; and metal workers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Birmingham, Sandwell, Walsall, Coventry, Dudley and Telford and Wrekin.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 9,600 people employed in just over 720 electronics companies and 10,500 people in just over 440 electrical equipment manufacture companies in the region. There is a total requirement of 6,130 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Computer Aided Design (CAD); assembly line/production robotics; Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM); Computer Aided Engineering (CME); Materials Requirement Planning (MRP); Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); Statistical Process Control (SPC); craft skills; fabrication; manufacturing; and radio frequency engineering. 64% of the workforce is employed as assemblers (electrical products). Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford, Kirklees, Rotherham and Kingston upon Hull.
Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 5,600 people employed in electronics and 3,400 people in electrical equipment manufacture. There is a total requirement of 340 employees needed in the region per year between 2005 and 2014. The largest industries in terms of employment are the electrical equipment manufacture and electronics industry and the metals industry. Skills gaps include: welding; CNC machine operations; mechanical engineering skills; metalworking; and electrical engineering skills.
Scotland – There are an estimated 21,900 people employed in 590 electronics companies and 6,400 people in just over 280 electrical equipment manufacture companies. There is a total requirement of 1,190 employees needed in the region between 2005 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: electrical engineering; Computer Aided Design (CAD); Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM); Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); CNC machine operation; mechanical engineering; and sign making. 73% of the workforce is employed as assemblers (electrical products). There are particular concentrations of employment in the marine and electronics industries. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around the City of Glasgow, Fife, South Lanarkshire, the City of Aberdeen, North Lanarkshire and West Lothian.
Wales – There are an estimated 10,300 people employed in 410 electronics companies and 7,800 people in 200 electrical equipment manufacture companies. There is a total requirement of 4,380 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Computer Aided Design (CAD); Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); CNC machine operation; electronics; and electrical engineering. 74% of the workforce is employed as assemblers (electrical products). Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Flintshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Rhondda, Cynon and Taff, Bridgend and Wrexham.
[N.B. Data derived from Annual Business Inquiry, 2007, Census, 2001, and Northern Ireland Census of Employment, 2007.]
Salary levels
Pay scales in this industry vary depending on individual experience, level of responsibility and location of job. So, the following only provides an indication of the average annual salaries of the current workforce:
- Manufacturing Production Manager – starting salary for new graduates or those new to the role is around £19,000 to £23,000. An experienced production manager can earn around £38,500. Some managers with high levels of responsibility earn more than £56,000 a year.
- Design Engineer – starting salaries for graduates are between £18,000 and £21,000. Experienced design engineers can earn on average around £35,000 or more, depending on their professional status. Senior design engineers can earn around £45,000 or more.
- Electrical Engineering Technician – starting salary for an individual in training may be around £15,000. An experienced technician earns around £30,000 a year. The most experienced technicians with high levels of responsibility can earn over £38,000.
- Electronics Assembler – new assemblers can earn around £10,500. Experienced assemblers earn between £13,500 and £17,000. The highest salaries are around £20,000 with overtime and shift work.
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using SEMTA AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
