ATA Recruitment

​The Engineering Industry Needs a Culture Shift - And It Starts with Recruitment

The UK engineering and manufacturing sectors are facing a well-documented skills shortage. But the answer isn’t just finding more candidates - it’s about removing barriers and attracting a wider range of talent. That’s where equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) come in.

At ATA Recruitment, we don’t just support inclusive hiring - we lead it. We help organisations across technical and industrial sectors build recruitment strategies that reflect the real world, unlock new talent pipelines, and create high-performing, inclusive teams.

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Diversity Isn’t a Target - It’s a Talent Strategy

Many engineering businesses still draw talent from a narrow demographic. But diversity isn’t a buzzword — it’s a competitive advantage. McKinsey’s Diversity Wins report confirms that companies in the top quartile for gender and ethnic diversity on executive teams are significantly more likely to outperform their peers.

Here’s what inclusive recruitment delivers:

• Wider talent pools and better representation

• Improved innovation from diverse thinking

• Enhanced team performance through cognitive variety

• Increased employee loyalty and retention

Through our inclusive recruitment model, we help our clients hire smarter, not just faster.

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Breaking Barriers in Technical Recruitment

At ATA Recruitment, we’ve seen firsthand the impact of inclusive hiring in traditionally male-dominated environments like engineering, rail, and heavy industry. Our EDI approach includes:

• Writing inclusive job adverts that attract a broader audience

• Using blind CV shortlisting to reduce bias

• Training hiring managers in unconscious bias awareness

• Supporting candidates from underrepresented groups — including women, LGBTQ+ professionals, people with disabilities, and forces leavers

We also promote a culture where everyone feels welcome. That means aligning with initiatives like the WISE Campaign for women in STEM and the Disability Confident Scheme.

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A Practical, Partnership-Based Approach

We work closely with businesses to make inclusive hiring achievable, not overwhelming. Whether you’re a multinational or an SME, we help you:

• Review existing recruitment practices for bias

• Attract candidates from a wider range of backgrounds

• Embed inclusive values into your employer brand

• Retain diverse talent through meaningful onboarding and development

Explore how we do this across our recruitment specialisms, from engineering and manufacturing to project management and automation.

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Our Vision: An Industry Where Everyone Belongs

We believe talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Through our EDI commitment, we’re working to change that - one placement at a time.

Looking for an example of our impact? See how we support candidates from all backgrounds through initiatives like our work with forces leavers, who bring incredible value to technical sectors.

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Ready to Build a More Inclusive Workforce?

Whether you're reviewing your hiring processes or launching a full diversity strategy, ATA Recruitment is here to help you move from intention to impact.

Start with our page on Championing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Explore EDI at ATA Recruitment

Or get in touch with our team to discuss inclusive recruitment for your business: Contact ATA Recruitment