ATA Recruitment

Why events like CTP Telford are vital for bridging the skills gap in UK engineering and manufacturing

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ATA Recruitment recently attended our second Career Transition Partnership event of the year in Telford, represented by Christian Addison, Director, and Lewis Gardner, Recruitment Specialist. These events continue to play a critical role in strengthening the future of the UK engineering and manufacturing workforce. With a well documented national skills shortage and increasing pressure on employers to find long term capability, CTP events provide a direct and effective route for connecting high quality service leavers with the organisations that urgently need them.

Recent data reinforces the importance of this mission. According to Make UK’s Workforce Survey 2024, 62 per cent of manufacturers say they are struggling to fill engineering vacancies, and the ONS reports that the UK currently has over 830,000 live vacancies across the economy, with engineering consistently among the hardest areas to recruit. This environment makes structured access to skilled service leavers more important than ever.

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Service leavers bring rare and highly transferable skills

UK manufacturing is experiencing persistent shortages in maintenance, automation, reliability and project engineering roles. In 2024, Make UK identified multiskilled engineers as the most difficult roles to hire, with 68 per cent of manufacturers reporting long term challenges in finding suitable candidates.

Service leavers often hold technical training that aligns directly with these roles. They typically bring strong mechanical or electrical knowledge, experience working with complex equipment, leadership capability and a proven ability to perform under pressure.

CTP events allow employers to meet this talent in person and understand where their forces background can add immediate value. For many roles within engineering and manufacturing, the capability that service leavers offer is not only transferable but significantly in demand.

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Events like Telford support smoother transitions into civilian engineering roles

Research from Forces in Mind Trust (2024) shows that 70 per cent of service leavers say they would feel more confident entering civilian employment when supported through structured transition events. This highlights why CTP events matter to individuals as much as they do to industry.

Christian and Lewis spent the day helping candidates understand career paths, certifications, job expectations and sector opportunities. Many service leavers possess strong technical foundations but need guidance on how these skills translate into specific engineering roles.

Face to face interaction plays a central role in building this clarity and confidence. It allows candidates to ask practical questions, understand employer expectations and receive direct advice on how to position their experience. This makes the transition into civilian engineering roles smoother and more successful.

​Lewis Gardner commented:

"The CTP events are always an honour to attend, and I always come away knowing I have learnt so much and looking forward to continuing to work with the people I met on the day.

Hearing about the unique story behind every person you speak to always fascinates me and makes you realise that there is a lot more going on than you think.

There are so many ways we, as ATA, can help service leavers and veterans – whether it’s with interview prep, understanding what a leaver or veteran is actually looking for, or finding the right role for them.

I find it very rewarding, as they are serving the country, and I will always be grateful for this. It gives me satisfaction knowing that I can give back."

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CTP events strengthen the long term talent pipeline for engineering and manufacturing

The engineering workforce is steadily ageing. ONS 2024 data confirms that one in five manufacturing workers is now over 55, which means a significant portion of the sector is heading toward retirement within the next decade.

At the same time, Make UK’s 2024 Skills Report highlights that 78 per cent of manufacturers are already experiencing productivity loss due to skills shortages. Without new talent entering the sector, these shortages will widen.

CTP events help address this challenge by:

• opening pathways for highly trained service leavers

• accelerating the development of early stage talent

• creating a more predictable pipeline for employers planning future workforce needs

Service leavers often progress rapidly once placed. Employers frequently report strong retention rates, high reliability and quick adaptability. These attributes help stabilise teams and contribute to long term capability growth.

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Collaboration with employers and charities creates genuine impact

The Telford event also created opportunities to build partnerships. Christian and Lewis engaged with employers keen to integrate service leavers into their workforce plans and connected with charities focused on supporting transition into engineering roles.

Forces in Mind Trust reports that organisations that partner with military support networks are 30 per cent more likely to retain service leavers for more than two years. This demonstrates how collaborative support structures improve outcomes for both the individual and the employer.

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ATA Recruitment’s commitment to bridging the skills gap

ATA Recruitment is committed to supporting both organisations and individuals as they navigate the skills challenges facing engineering and manufacturing. We work closely with service leavers to help them translate their experience into civilian engineering careers, offering guidance, insight and access to employers who value their skills.

At the same time, we support businesses by introducing motivated, technically capable talent that can strengthen teams and contribute long term. Following the Telford CTP event, Christian Addison and Lewis Gardner will continue working with the candidates they met to help turn conversations into real career opportunities.

If you are a forces leaver considering your next step, or an employer looking to welcome service leavers into your workforce, ATA Recruitment is here to support you.

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