Specialist General Engineering Recruitment
ATA Recruitment is a leading engineering recruitment company in the UK, specialising in sourcing high-calibre professionals for general engineering roles. With over 60 years of experience in engineering and manufacturing recruitment, we have built a reputation for excellence, speed, and reliability. We work closely with clients to deliver tailored recruitment solutions that align with business objectives and industry demands.
Our proven track record spans across multiple sectors including automotive, aerospace, food production, heavy engineering, and construction. Whether you're hiring for niche technical skills or high-volume recruitment drives, we have the reach and resources to support your hiring goals.
Tailored Services for Engineering Employers
Our services are designed to offer flexibility and value. From contingent recruitment to retained search assignments, we cater to businesses of all sizes, from SMEs to large multinational corporations. We help you find not just the right skillset, but also professionals who align with your company culture and values.
We understand that downtime in manufacturing and engineering operations can be costly. That’s why we ensure rapid turnaround times and provide interim solutions when required. Our streamlined recruitment process includes role scoping, candidate mapping, behavioural assessment, and ongoing aftercare.
OUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE
-
Permanent Recruitment
Maintenance Engineer
Maintenance Planner
Maintenance Manager
Stores Operative
Controls Engineer
Production Team Leader
Project Manager
Health and Safety Engineer
Continuous Improvement Engineer
Quality Engineer
-
Contract Recruitment
Maintenance Engineer
Maintenance Planner
Mechanical Fitter
Semi-skilled and Skilled Operatives
Stores Operative
Production Team Leader
Health and Safety Engineer
Continuous Improvement Engineer
Quality Engineer
-
Interim Recruitment
Maintenance Manager
Engineering Manager
Production Manager
Plant Manager
Operations Manager
Engineering Director
Technical Director
Health and Safety Manager
Factory Manager
-
ATA Search
Engineering Manager
Production Manager
Plant Manager
General Manager
Operations Manager
Operations Director
Engineering Director
Technical Director
Managing Director
Latest Jobs In General Engineering
Maintenance engineer
£56350 - 56350 per year Overtime, store discount
Stoke-on-Trent
Maintenance Engineer Stoke-on-Trent £56,340 Unique 12-Hour Shift Pattern (Days & Nights) Overtime (1.5x) + 4% Pension A large-scale automated distribution operation is looking to recruit a Maintenance Engineer to join its established engineering team. This is a highly reactive maintenance role working across a busy automated facility containing conveyors, cranes, sortation systems and warehouse automation equipment. The Role As a Maintenance Engineer, you will be responsible for: Reactive breakdown maintenance across automated distribution equipment Fault finding on conveyors, cranes, drives, rollers and automated handling systems Working safely within panels using multi-meters and electrical drawings Supporting PPMs and engineering projects when required Responding to plant breakdowns quickly within a fast-paced operation What We’re Looking For To be considered for this Maintenance Engineer position, you should have: A recognised engineering qualification equivalent to a Level 3 or above (NVQ, City and Guilds, BTEC, ONC, HNC etc.) Previous experience within manufacturing, automation, logistics or production environments Ability to work safely both mechanically and electrically A proactive attitude with strong problem-solving ability What’s On Offer? £56,000 salary Average earnings between £60-65,000+ with overtime Significant overtime availability at 15.x Ongoing training on PLCs, SCADA and automation systems Long-term progression from Maintenance Engineering into controls or team leader roles Large Maintenance Engineering team with strong technical support Stable long-term opportunity within a highly automated site This Multi-Skilled Maintenance Engineer role would suit engineers from manufacturing, FMCG, logistics, automated warehousing, distribution or production backgrounds. ATA is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
Apply now
Maintenance Engineer
£57000 - 57500 per year Overtime, Bonus, Pension, Training
Leicester
Multi-Skilled Maintenance Engineer - Leicester - £57,500 Basic (OTE £65,000+) Location: Leicester Salary: £57,500 basic per year, with realistic on-target earnings of £65,000+ including overtime Shift pattern: 4 on 4 off continental shifts, covering days and nights About the role We are recruiting for a Multi-Skilled Maintenance Engineer to join a market-leading manufacturer at their modern, highly automated Leicester facility. With over 80 years of success and a strong order book, this is an opportunity to join a secure, growing business that invests heavily in its people. You will become part of a large and supportive engineering team where training, development and career progression are genuinely encouraged. Whether you are looking to develop your electrical skills, gain PLC and robotics experience, or progress into leadership, this company offers a clear pathway to help you achieve your goals. What you will be doing You will play a key role in ensuring the reliability and performance of a wide range of automated production equipment, including automated production machinery, conveyors and material handling systems, presses and manufacturing equipment, robotics and automated systems, and electrical and mechanical plant equipment. Key responsibilities: - Responding to equipment breakdowns and carrying out fault finding - Performing planned preventative maintenance (PPM) - Diagnosing and repairing electrical and mechanical faults - Working on 3-phase systems, motors, sensors and control equipment - Supporting continuous improvement and reliability projects - Contributing to the safe and efficient operation of the site What we are looking for Essential requirements: - Engineering qualification at Level 3 or above (Electrical, Mechanical or Multi-Skilled) - Previous maintenance engineering experience within a manufacturing, production or industrial environment - Strong fault-finding and problem-solving skills - Ability to work a 5 on 5 off or 4 on 4 off days and nights shift pattern Benefits: - £57,500 basic salary - OTE £65,000+ with premium overtime available, paid up to double time - 10 percent pension contribution - Generous holiday allowance - Annual bonus scheme - Extensive OEM training and qualifications - Siemens PLC training - Robotics training up to Level 3 - Career progression opportunities across a large UK group - All tools, PPE and workwear provided Why apply Join a financially secure, market-leading manufacturer working in a highly automated facility with modern equipment. Receive industry-recognised OEM, PLC and robotics training, earn excellent additional income through premium overtime, and progress your career into senior engineering or leadership positions as part of a large, supportive engineering team. Apply today to find out more about this excellent opportunity for a Multi-Skilled Maintenance Engineer in Leicester. ATA is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
Apply now
Mechanical Design Engineer
£40000 - 45000 per year 33 days Holiday
Nottinghamshire
Design Engineer / Design Draughtsperson Worksop £35,000 - £45,000 DOE 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays The Company Our client is an established engineering business specialising in material handling, mechanical engineering and structural steelwork. They design, manufacture and install bespoke equipment including conveyors, chutes, hoppers, silos, ductwork, platforms and structural steelwork. Due to changes within the design team, they are looking for an experienced Design Engineer / Design Draughtsperson to join the team. The Role A hands-on design role, with around 90% of your time focused on 3D CAD and drawing work. You'll produce 3D models, GA drawings and detailed manufacturing drawings for bespoke material handling and steelwork projects, working closely with the Projects and Fabrication teams. There will also be occasional UK site surveys to gather information for new and existing projects. Key responsibilities: Producing 3D models, GA and manufacturing drawings. Designing conveyors, chutes, hoppers, silos, ductwork, platforms and steelwork. Developing designs into detailed fabrication drawings. Carrying out site surveys and working with point clouds/scanned data. Reviewing and implementing design changes. Producing sheet metal developments and DXF files. Working with third-party CAD models and different file formats. Supporting tender designs and fabrication teams. Mentoring apprentices when required. What We're Looking For 5+ years' design/draughting experience. Experience in material handling, heavy industry, steel fabrication or similar. Strong AutoCAD 2D/3D skills. Experience producing 3D fabrication/manufacturing drawings. Experience with Tekla or Advance Steel highly desirable. Good understanding of fabrication and practical design. Experience with point clouds, laser scanning or Navisworks advantageous. Able to work independently and manage your own workload. Full UK driving licence and willing to travel occasionally. The Package £35,000 - £45,000 DOE 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays Pension Loyalty bonus Training and development Progression opportunities ATA is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
Apply now
Maintenance Engineer
£54000 - 54000 per year Overtime, Bonus, Pension, Training
Birmingham
Maintenance Engineer | £54,100 Basic + £60,000+ OTE | PLC & Elec Training | Birmingham Salary: £54,100 Basic Bonus OTE: £60,000+ Location: North Birmingham Shift Pattern: 4 on 4 off Continental Shifts (Days & Nights) Maintenance Engineer Opportunity Are you a Maintenance Engineer looking for a long-term career with excellent training, progression, and earning potential? We are recruiting for a Maintenance Engineer to join a market-leading manufacturing business at its modern, automated production facility in Cannock. With over 80 years of industry success, a strong order book, and significant investment in automation and people development, this is an excellent opportunity for engineers seeking stability and career growth. What's On Offer? £54,100 basic salary OTE exceeding £60,000 10% pension contribution Generous holiday allowance Premium overtime rates up to double time Performance bonus scheme Siemens PLC training Robotics training Level 3 engineering qualifications and OEM-certified training All tools and workwear provided Clear progression opportunities into senior engineering and leadership roles Opportunities to progress within a large UK-wide engineering group The Role As a Multi-Skilled Maintenance Engineer, you will be responsible for maintaining and improving highly automated manufacturing equipment to ensure maximum uptime and production efficiency. Key Responsibilities Carry out planned preventative maintenance (PPM) and reactive maintenance Diagnose and repair electrical and mechanical faults Attend equipment breakdowns and minimise downtime Maintain conveyors, presses, robotics, automated machinery, and production equipment Work on three-phase electrical systems and industrial controls Support continuous improvement and reliability projects Ensure all maintenance work is completed safely and efficiently Collaborate with a large engineering team to support operational performance Candidate Requirements Level 3 Engineering Qualification Experience working within manufacturing, production, , industrial, or engineering environments Strong electrical and/or mechanical fault-finding skills Knowledge of PPM and reactive maintenance Experience with automated machinery, conveyors, robotics, PLCs, or industrial equipment is advantageous Positive attitude and ability to work effectively within a team environment ATA is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
Apply now
Mechanical Design Engineer
£40000 - 50000 per year DOE + flexible working hours
Loughborough
Mechanical Design Engineer Loughborough £40,000-£50,000 DOE + flexible working hours The Company Our client is a leading manufacturer of small machinery, mainly for the scientific and pharmaceutical industry. Operating for over 40 years, this business has expanded both by joining a wider group of businesses, and through mergers with similar local businesses. They now have a team of 30 producing £3million from this business alone. They are looking to recruit a Mechanical Design Engineer with immediate effect. The Role The Mechanical Design Engineer will operate as the sole designer for this business, overseeing all projects coming through the business from initial scoping through to manufacture. This role also provides the unique opportunity to learn and oversee small amounts of electrical design work. The role of Mechanical Design Engineer will involve: Designing standard and bespoke small machinery on Autodesk Inventor Working with products consisting of sheet metal, pipework, pumps, brackets and supports Producing manufacturing drawings, BOMs, and job packs Providing technical support to sales engineers during the sales process Involvement in prototyping and design amendments The Candidate To be successful in your application for this Mechanical Design Engineer role you will need: Proficient in 3D modelling of mechanical products Inquisitive and detail-oriented, with a strong right-first-time mindset Professional, accountable, and committed to producing high-quality work Collaborative and approachable, with strong people skills Hardworking, focused, and motivated to consistently do your best The Benefits For this Mechanical Design Engineer role the following benefits are on offer: £40,000-£50,000 base salary, dependent on experience Flexible working hours Standard pension Standard holidays If you’re interested please apply online, send your CV to lauren.woolley@ata-recruitment.co.uk or give me a call on 07773 207 097 ATA Recruitment specialises in Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Civil, Transportation and general Engineering recruitment on both a permanent and contract basis – for more opportunities like this one, visit our website. By applying you accept the terms of our Privacy Notice which can be found on our website. ATA is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
Apply now
Project Manager
£54000 - 59000 per year 25 days holiday + 6% pension
Derbyshire
Project Manager Derbyshire £54,000 - £59,000 + 25 days holiday The Company Our client is a global product and engineering solutions provider servicing clients in the nuclear power, petrochemical, defence and aerospace industries. With £20million UK turnover, the business is well established as a leader in their field. With projects up to £2million and their bespoke solutions offering, this business has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality products over their 60+ year history. They are well equipped to provide a complete service offering including design, manufacture, and installation. They are now looking to recruit a Project Manager with immediate effect. The Role The role of Project Manager will involve the full oversight of projects, from initial customer handover to project close-out. Working on one project at a time while assisting on others, you will work on projects lasting anywhere from 3 months to 1 year worth approximately £200,000. Your success will be measured on your ability to deliver projects on time and to budget, whilst ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction and effective risk management. As the Project Manager you will: Managing all aspects of the project, ensuring they comply to customer contracts Be involved in customer handover, project briefings, scoping and planning Overseeing design and engineering through to manufacture and fabrication Ensuring on time delivery for installation, commissioning, and project close out Reviewing completed projects for lessons learned and potential improvements The Candidate To be successful in your application for this Project Manager role you will need: Demonstratable experience in managing mechanical engineering projects Strong communication skills for dealing with internal and external stakeholders An aptitude for and enjoyment of complex problem solving The ability to travel nationally and internationally on occasion The Benefits For this Project Manager role the following benefits are on offer: £54,000 base salary, dependent on experience £420 per month car allowance 8.30-5pm Monday to Thursday with options for early Friday finish 6% pension Healthcare (including family) 25 days holiday + bank holidays If you’re interested please apply online, send your CV to lauren.woolley@ata-recruitment.co.uk or give me a call on 07773 207 097 ATA Recruitment specialises in Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Civil, Transportation and general Engineering recruitment on both a permanent and contract basis – for more opportunities like this one, visit our website. By applying you accept the terms of our Privacy Notice which can be found on our website. ATA is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
Apply now
Maintenance Engineer
£54100 - 54100 per year OTE £60k+, 10% double matched pension, Performance bonus, generous holiday allowance, paid overtime
Wakefield
Maintenance Engineer | £54,100 Basic + £60,000+ OTE | PLC & Robotics Training | Salary: £54,100 Basic OTE: £60,000+ Location: Wakefield Shift Pattern: 4 on 4 off Continental Shifts (Days & Nights) Are you a Maintenance Engineer looking for a long-term career with excellent training, progression, and earning potential? We are recruiting for a Maintenance Engineer to join a market-leading manufacturing business at its modern, highly automated production facility in Nostell With over 80 years of industry success, a strong order book, and significant investment in automation and people development, this is an excellent opportunity for engineers seeking stability and career growth. What's On Offer? £54,100 basic salary OTE exceeding £60,000 10% pension contribution Generous holiday allowance Premium overtime rates up to double time Performance bonus scheme Siemens PLC training Robotics training Level 3 engineering qualifications and OEM-certified training All tools and workwear provided Clear progression opportunities into senior engineering and leadership roles Opportunities to progress within a large UK-wide engineering group The Role As a Multi-Skilled Maintenance Engineer, you will be responsible for maintaining and improving highly automated manufacturing equipment to ensure maximum uptime and production efficiency. Key Responsibilities Carry out planned preventative maintenance (PPM) and reactive maintenance Diagnose and repair electrical and mechanical faults Attend equipment breakdowns and minimise downtime Maintain conveyors, presses, robotics, automated machinery, and production equipment Work on three-phase electrical systems and industrial controls Support continuous improvement and reliability projects Ensure all maintenance work is completed safely and efficiently Collaborate with a large engineering team to support operational performance Candidate Requirements Level 3 Engineering Qualification or above (Electrical, Mechanical, Maintenance Engineering, Mechatronics, or similar) Experience working within manufacturing, production, FMCG, automation, industrial, or engineering environments Strong electrical and/or mechanical fault-finding skills Knowledge of PPM and reactive maintenance Experience with automated machinery, conveyors, robotics, PLCs, or industrial equipment is advantageous Positive attitude and ability to work effectively within a team environment Why Apply? This role offers the opportunity to join a well-established manufacturer that invests heavily in both its facilities and employees. Whether you're looking to develop PLC skills, gain robotics experience, increase your earnings through overtime, or progress into leadership, this position provides a clear pathway for career advancement. If you think you are the right maintenance engineer for this market leader, please press apply, call Ashton on +44 116 218 1640, or email your CV too kristi.hopwood@ata-recruitment.co.uk ATA Recruitment specialises in Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Civil, Transportation and general Engineering recruitment on both a permanent and contract basis – for more opportunities like this one, visit our website ebsite ATA is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
Apply now
Maintenance Engineer
£40000 - 45000 per year Excellent Training, Pension Contribution and Overtime
Frome
Maintenance Engineer (Electrical Biased) Location: Frome / Bath Salary: £40,000 to £45,000 (DOE) Shift Pattern: Double Days, Monday to Friday Benefits Extensive OEM Training, Internal and External Training and Qualifications Siemens PLC Training Overtime availability with excellent OT rates Generous Holiday Allowance Other company benefits The Company A well established and reputable manufacturer who has experienced significant growth and a healthy growing order book, increased turnover and yearly Capex expenditure for continuous improvements, meaning they offer incredible stability and security within the industry. They provide bespoke and high-quality products and services to meet the unique needs of their customers, and boasts some of the state-of-the-art machinery, therefore making them a recognised market leader within their industry. They are an evolving business that believe in investing in the business as well as their people to keep them above their competition and therefore, offers fantastic training opportunities for their engineers, including yearly budget allocations for engineers’ development and OEMs regularly being called to site for detailed training. They are looking for a Maintenance Engineer (Electrically biased) who is looking to make an instant impact on a site and contribute to the growth of the business through hard work, commitment and dedication. About the Role Being the Maintenance Engineer, you will become part of a supportive engineering team where training, development and career progression are genuinely encouraged. Whether you're looking to develop your skills, gain PLC and robotics experience, or progress into supervisory, this company offers a clear pathway to help you achieve your goals. As a Maintenance Engineer, you'll play a key role in ensuring the reliability and performance of a wide range of production equipment, including Fillers, Mixers, Capping Machines, Cooling Tunnels, Robotics, Wrapping Machines, Labelling Machines, Checkweighers, Conveyors etc. Responding to equipment breakdowns and carrying out fault finding Performing planned preventative maintenance (PPM) Diagnosing and repairing electrical and mechanical faults Working on 3-phase systems, motors, sensors and control equipment as well as bearings, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, pumps, valves, belts, chains, drives etc Supporting continuous improvement and reliability projects Contributing to the safe and efficient operation of the site The Candidate We're looking for Maintenance Engineer who enjoys working within a collaborative maintenance environment and is keen to develop their skills. Essential Requirements: Engineering qualification at Level 3 or above (Electrical or Multi-Skilled) Previous maintenance engineering experience within an FMCG Manufacturing, Production or Industrial environment Strong electrical and mechanical fault-finding skills with a focus on root cause analysis PLC experience (advantageous but not essential) Proactive approach with excellent communication and problem-solving skills The ability to work independently and as part of a team and as part of a team ATA is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
Apply now
Latest Case Studies
The impact of the skills shortage on the maintenance recruitment market
The impact of the skills shortage on the maintenance recruitment market"There is an estimated shortfall of over 173,000 workers in STEM sectors, the The Institution of Engineering and Technology have released in a recent report – an average of 10 unfilled roles per business in the UK, costing the economy a “shocking” £1.5bn each year. 49% of engineering businesses are experiencing difficulties recruiting workers with the skills they need." (Source: IMechE).As experts in maintenance, this comes as no surprise to us here at ATA Recruitment. We have seen more and more demand from our clients across the UK over the past 18 months to support them with the growing need for more talent within their businesses. Part of The ATA Way (our set of values) is “Adding Value”. We pride ourselves on our ability to generate market data to support our customers in their recruitment and retention (we’ve been producing Salary Survey reports for a number of years now, breaking down salaries by region, technical bias, industry and shift pattern.)To help employers navigate this turbulent market, we have explored just how this shift has had an impact on the maintenance recruitment space, including the change in the average length of service of a Maintenance Engineer during a skills shortage.Having analysed our last 50 maintenance placements, I was surprised to see the 38% of the Maintenance Engineers we’ve placed have been in the last role for less than 1 year, and a further 20% had less than 2 years’ service. So, with 58% moving roles within such a short period it poses the following questions, are Engineers making the right decisions when accepting roles?Is it the case that if the role isn’t as sold and with so many roles available, they are less willing to give the role time?Are they making their decision solely based on money?Are candidates starting roles and continuing to look just in case there might be something better out there?Is it the cost-of-living crisis that is forcing Engineers to move around to maximise their earning potential?It’s hard to know, but from the data our last candidate survey generated, 36% said that money was the key reason why they were looking to move. The fact that this has dropped to 26% suggests that although it’s still important, the need for a good work life balance and working a shift that suits is once again becoming more prominent (in fact, our survey shows that this has actually increased from 33% to 42%).In addition, 72% of those Maintenance Engineers have actually changed shifts when accepting a new role.So as an employer, what do you do?Ask yourself the question how good is your onboarding, training and development? Are the team making new starters feel welcome? Are you delivering what you promised in the interview?Are you getting the assessment right at interview stage? Is the candidate joining you for the right reasons?Are you getting the remuneration of your existing team right? If they feel valued they won’t be looking for a change.Get in touchIf you're not confident with your answers to these questions, this will be having an impact on your ability to attract, recruit, develop and retain. We at ATA Recruitment become an extension of your business, ensuring we delve deep into the pain points of your teams and support you with tailored talent solutions that will last throughout the skills shortage and beyond. Please contact me on my details below or complete the form below to start a discussion with our team.Chris AddisonDirector at ATA RecruitmentConnect on LinkedInchristian.addison@ata-recruitment.co.uk07787 289 367
Read more
Are gaps in your workforce holding you back?
Are gaps in your workforce holding you back?We are currently seeing record levels of vacancies being advertised across the UK. On the face of it, this sounds great. However, we are also seeing historically low levels of applications for these roles, creating a perfect storm for clients who need to add to their teams. In fact, for the first time since records began, it has recently been announced that job vacancies have outnumbered the number of those unemployed.The usual suspects, Covid-19 and Brexit are widely blamed for this. However, whatever the reason, the fact is that many companies are being held back as they simply can’t fill the vacancies in their business. It’s time to close the gapLooking at the statistics we’ve highlighted above, it appears to be an unsolvable equation. How do businesses close the gap in the worst skills shortage we’ve seen in decades?The answer? Flexible and highly skilled contractors. Here at ATA Recruitment, we are expertly placed to help you stay ahead of the competition and close the gap in your team with highly skilled contractors, who can provide a temporary solution whilst you try and find permanent staff.Gain control of your workforce in an unpredictable landscape With over 50 years trading history and a formidable reputation for quality, we are constantly looking at ways to add value to our existing clients who are considering taking advantage of the benefits of contract solutions.As the Sales Manager for the contract division, I was excited to learn that the business was investing heavily in a product which will allow us to offer even better service to all client from SME’ s to blue-chip giants – that product is called Engage.Save time, money and stress with EngageEngage is a technology platform designed to help our clients manage all activities related to their temporary workforce. Whether you need more visibility of your workforce, IR35 management, enhanced reporting and control of recruitment spend, or you are thinking about adopting an entire workforce management solution, ATA Engage offers you the flexibility to deliver what you need. Simply put, it is a “single source of truth” that can be accessed anywhere, anytime – no downloads, no complex system integrations – just login and you’ll have access to all you need to control your contingent workforce and spend in a user-friendly interface.What can it do?Manage all your temporary hiring needs in one placeAll required recruitment communications under one roofIR35 management End to end vacancy management Timesheet and invoicing Financial & performance reportsApproval and sign off management Onboarding and compliance functions Supply chain control and visibility PO approval and monitoring Why ATA Engage? Gain more control over your temporary recruitment activitiesMore visibility and easy reporting functionsA standardised processSave time, money and stressI would love to hear about your business, understand the challenges you face so we can create a bespoke solution to eradicate all your existing issues. Get in touch to start the conversation, and I can arrange a live demonstration of the platform for you at your convenience.I look forward to hearing from you. Rob Weatherhead, Sales Managerrobert.weatherhead@ata-recruitment.co.uk | 07827 256 611
Read more
Has the Pandemic created a Perfect Storm for hiring Engineers?
If anyone had asked me two years ago what I thought the biggest threat to recruitment was within the Engineering Sector, I would have said Brexit…. how wrong I was. The Pandemic has thrown the plans of every business to the wind and left the hiring market in a position not seen before. Pre-pandemic, we were already seeing signs of limited candidate availability, with too few candidates for the number of vacancies. However, things have been worsened by the current situation, with a perfect storm of diminished candidate volumes and a sharp increase in the number vacancies.What does this mean to businesses currently trying to hire?Within the Maintenance and Service market, which is arguably the busiest within the Engineering sector currently, it has become increasingly difficult to find skilled candidates for the roles coming onto the market. At the start of the year, this certainly wasn’t the case. We saw a huge surge of candidates coming onto the market due to a combination of factors, mainly redundancies due to the pandemic. We also saw people looking to move due to feeling insecure in their current role due to the same reason. However, this influx has been short lived, with the best candidates being snapped up very quickly. To put this into context, just across the first half of 2021, we have seen a 75% reduction in the number of candidates coming onto the market. Whilst simultaneously, we've seen a 100% increase in the number of live roles since restrictions have eased and businesses feel more confident in the market. Although the struggle of finding the right candidates doesn’t end there, according to a recent study by the Open University, 51% of Vacancies remained unfilled!Every business has had to adapt when it comes to interviewing over the course of the pandemic, with the majority of businesses either choosing to wait to recruit or opting for web based interview software like Microsoft Teams. However, a big issue has been how to train and induct new recruits whilst observing social distancing. Within Maintenance, this hasn’t been as big of an issue, as new recruits are joining established teams and have the support of their new colleagues. Within Service, it is far more tricky. Most Service positions are home based currently, making the task of onboarding and training new Engineers much more challenging. This has had a knock on effect on what most Service Managers are now looking for when it comes to new recruits.Pre-pandemic, with the ability to bring new Engineers in for training, most hiring managers would look at a broad spectrum of candidates. Now, with the inability to train as effectively due to social distancing, we have seen most Hiring Managers look for candidates from their industry. This, in an already candidate short market, compounds the situation. We are already seeing roles that were fillable 18 months ago go unfilled due to restrictive recruitment policies.What is the solution?There isn’t a 'one size fits all' solution to this issue, as every business and industry sector have their own challenges on top of this. However, there are 3 key things to consider when looking to hire:Firstly, do you know how competitive your industry is and the availability of candidates with the skill sets you require? Depending on how niche your market is, you may need to consider looking at candidates from outside your industry and who have the transferable skills that can be adapted and trained to suit your requirements. What training and support can be provided? If classroom based training isn’t an option, can new recruits be buddied up with an existing team member to be shown the ropes? Can video based training be used? It's unlikely this is going to be a complete substitute for hands on training, but we have seen a number of businesses adopt this as a strategy to complete product training upon induction. Would a more junior hire, that can be trained and moulded, be a better option?Secondly, is your package competitive? The main driver of a candidate driven market is that the best candidates can pick and choose who they want to work for. Just like the current situation with the housing market, we are already seeing a number of our clients increasing salaries on roles to try and attract the best talent. However, we also know this is not an option for all. Instead, consider the package as a whole. Following our recent candidate survey on what was important to candidates when looking for a new position, work life balance was a key factor, especially for Service Engineers. This has now been magnified with the events of the last year with many of us taking stock of what we consider a priority. How many nights will the Engineers be required to stay away? Are they compensated for hours worked outside their core hours? Are their diaries managed so that travel is cut to a minimum?Finally, how are you positioning yourself in the market? Job security has always been of high importance to candidates, even more so now with so many established firms unexpectedly going to the wall. Understandably, candidates are cautious when looking to join a new business. Think about how you can reassure candidates that they are joining a stable business. What progression can be offered in the future? How did your business deal with lockdown? What is driving your current need to recruit? Any business with a full order or service book is going to be a far more attractive offer to any prospective candidate, but are you conveying that message in the market?The good news is that we are starting to see a steady increase in candidate traffic since the easing of restrictions and, with the role out of more vaccines, those candidates that were nervous about attending interviews or changing roles are starting to emerge. As long as this upward trend continues, it will make the task of attracting the best talent far easier for all. If you are a company looking for an Engineer to join your business, or a candidate looking for a new opportunity, then please get in touch with James Campbell:07827 256 652james.campbell@ata-recruitment.co.ukVisit James' profile
Read more
.png)
Annual Regional Maintenance Salary Report 2020
ATA Recruitment's Annual Regional Maintenance Salary Report 2020 is available to downloadWith over 50 years experience in the provision of recruitment solutions for manufacturing and engineering, ATA Recruitment have established themselves as market leaders. Not only do we pride ourselves and providing a quality service, but we like to share our market expertise with you too.You may have already seen our permanent salary survey report detailing the average salaries offered to our candidates in 2020. The recruitment of Maintenance Engineers across the UK is a huge proportion of what we do, so we thought we would give you a more detailed breakdown of the market.2020 was a challenging year for everyone due to the pandemic and economic uncertainty caused by it. However, the need to attract and retain good quality Maintenance Engineers is still an ongoing challenge for our customers.We continue to see a widening skills gap in the market, and the rapid growth of markets such as automated distribution has seen companies constantly reviewing and increasing their salaries in an effort to remain competitive.The data we have collected has come from a large cross section of the market for both SME’s and large blue chips in industries such as:FoodAutomated DistributionConstruction MaterialsFMCGGeneral Manufacturing.We hope it gives you a benchmark for where you are in the market, please get in touch to discuss the findings of this report in more detail.Download ATA Recruitment's Annual Regional Maintenance Salary Report 2020Get in touch If you would like to discuss the findings of the report in more detail or if you’re looking for a maintenance recruitment specialist to support your business, get in touch with ATA Recruitment. If you're looking for a new opportunity or want to hear about future positions, sign up to tailored job alerts and our blog to receive more content like this straight in your inbox.
Read more
.png)
Annual Executive Engineering Salary Report 2020
The ATA Recruitment's Annual Executive Engineering Salary Report 2020 is available to downloadWith the challenges of COVID-19, Brexit and IR35 still looming, Executive Search and Senior Leadership roles continue to play a key part in business strategies. Companies have taken the opportunity to evaluate their business, headcount, company structure, senior leadership teams and financials. As a result of this, the number of executives available has significantly increased and whilst companies have taken time to reconsider their businesses, candidates alike are also reconsidering their career paths. Candidates are considering positions outside of their core expertise and fully recognise the importance of transferrable skills, creating great opportunities for many businesses to attract new talent.Moving into 2021, leadership roles will continue to play an ever-key role in the direction of businesses and we are already starting to see the demand for expert leaders increasing.A comprehensive report based on real dataWith average salaries and and expert commentary from our specialist consultants and managerial team, we have compiled the Annual Executive Engineering Salary Report 2020 based on the executive and senior level placements made throughout the past 12 months.Download the ATA Annual Executive Engineering Salary Report 2020The report will open in a secure PDF format that you can either view online (web and mobile) and save for future reference. Simply fill in the form below to download.Get in touchIf you would like to discuss the findings of the report in more detail or if you’re looking for an executive recruitment specialist to support your business, get in touch with ATA Recruitment. If you're looking for a new opportunity or want to hear about future senior and management positions, sign up to tailored job alerts and our blog to receive more content like this straight in your inbox.
Read more
.png)
Annual Contractor Rates Report 2020
The ATA Annual Contractor Rates Report 2020 is now available to downloadThe past 12 months have been an unpredictable time for employers and candidates alike. Many employers have reassessed their recruitment strategies, as the effects of COVID-19, mass furlough and multiple lockdowns continue to have a huge impact on day-to-day operations. Whilst those that can have been quick to adapt and implement a COVID-19 secure workplace, the knock on effects of the choppy economic waters we have seen over the past 12 months are impossible to ignore.As companies have started to return close to normal, we have seen a real upturn in the requirement for contractors and temporary engineers. Having spoken to our clients, there are several reasons for this rapid increase in the need for contractors and temporary staff: Clients have reduced their headcount and as orders have increased, they have needed to upscale quickly, contractors & temporary workers have allowed them to do thisSeveral businesses are still uncertain about the future and would prefer a flexible skilled resource at this time as they return to normalIn certain sectors like food and logistics, the demand for permanent engineers is high. When this demand can’t be met quickly enough, contractors and temporary maintenance engineers have provided an excellent short-term solutionWith average contractor rates and and expert commentary from our specialist consultants and managerial team, we have compiled the Annual Contractor Rates Report 2020 based on the thousands of placements made throughout the past 12 months. Covering the following disciplines, we have answered some of the most common questions we get asked, as well as providing you with the quantitative data from salary trends:ManufacturingEngineeringInterim & Shared ServicesDownload the ATA Annual Contractor Rates Report 2020The report will open in a secure PDF format that you can either view online (web and mobile) and save for future reference. Simply fill in the form below to download.Get in touchIf you would like to discuss the findings of the report in more detail or if you’re looking for an engineering recruitment specialist to support your business, get in touch with ATA Recruitment. If you're looking for a job or want to hear about future opportunities, sign up to tailored job alerts and our blog to receive more content like this straight in your inbox.
Read more
.png)
Annual Engineering Salary Report 2020
Now in it's 4th year, ATA Recruitment's Annual Engineering Salary Report 2020 is available to downloadThe past 12 months have been an unpredictable time for employers and candidates alike. Many employers have reassessed their recruitment strategies, as the effects of COVID-19, mass furlough and multiple lockdowns continue to have a huge impact on day-to-day operations. Whilst those that can have been quick to adapt and implement a COVID-19 secure workplace, the knock on effects of the choppy economic waters we have seen over the past 12 months are impossible to ignore. Likewise, the attitudes of candidates have changed, with many considering new career opportunities thanks to the shift from office based to remote working, amongst various other factors. In a survey we conducted at the end of last year, we found that 64% of those who are looking for work are currently employed, showing that now is not the time for complacency from employers when it comes to staff retention. With all this uncertainty and the undeniable shift in the employment landscape, we are providing employers with a benchmark of where you sit in the market - ensuring your recruitment strategy is based on first hand research and up to date statistics from across the UK. For candidates, we are giving you the insights into the average salary of dozens of roles across various engineering disciplines, helping you make an informed decision should you be considering a career change in 2021.A comprehensive report based on real dataWith average salaries and and expert commentary from our specialist consultants and managerial team, we have compiled the Annual Engineering Salary Report 2020 based on the thousands of placements made throughout the past 12 months. Covering the following disciplines, we have answered some of the most common questions we get asked, as well as providing you with the quantitative data from salary trends:Maintenance & ServiceQuality & Manufacturing Design & ProjectsTechnical SalesExecutive Download the ATA Annual Engineering Salary Report 2020The report will open in a secure PDF format that you can either view online (web and mobile) and save for future reference. Simply fill in the form below to download.Get in touchIf you would like to discuss the findings of the report in more detail or if you’re looking for an engineering recruitment specialist to support your business, get in touch with ATA Recruitment. If you're looking for a job or want to hear about future opportunities, sign up to tailored job alerts and our blog to receive more content like this straight in your inbox.
Read more
Annual Engineering Salary Report 2019
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, many companies will be reassessing their recruitment strategies and likewise, candidates will be thinking about career opportunities. ATA Recruitment has developed a salary report based on data gathered from all the candidates we have placed over the last year, providing a holistic picture of the average salaries across different disciplines within the engineering and manufacturing sectors. During these challenging times, we understand our clients will be aligning their budgets to future resource planning requirements, and we are often asked what the average salary is for roles within the engineering and manufacturing industry. We also understand our candidates may be wondering whether it's the right time to change their job or if their salary is above or below the average. Average Engineering Salary ReportUsing our data from thousands of placements made in 2019, we decided to publish this report to coincide with the end of the financial year to help our clients with their resource planning. We answer some of the most common questions, including the average salaries across the following disciplines: Maintenance, Quality and Manufacturing, Design and Projects, Technical Sales and Management. So whether you’re advertising a single job or recruiting in high volumes, it’s important to know what salary to offer.ATA Recruitment has been supporting the growth of the engineering and manufacturing sectors for over 50 years. Over this time we have developed a thorough knowledge of the marketplace through both experience and data analysis, helping our clients find the best talent suited to their business needs. As well as insights within this report, ATA Recruitment can also provide tailored expertise and regional knowledge to both our clients and candidates during these challenging times.Download the salary reportThe report will open in a secure PDF format that you can either view online (web and mobile) and save for future reference. Simply fill in the brief form below to download.Get in touch If you would like to discuss the findings of the report in more detail or if you’re looking for an engineering recruitment specialist to support your business, please get in touch with ATA Recruitment. If you're looking for a job or want to hear about future opportunities, sign up to tailored job alerts and our blog to receive more content like this straight in your inbox.
Read more
The benefits of using a specialist engineering recruitment agency
If you’re a hiring manager or internal recruiter that is considering outsourcing work to a recruitment agency, you’re in the right place. In this blog, we explain exactly what a specialist engineering recruiter is and why they may be a perfect solution for your business and hiring needs.There are nearly 40,000 recruitment agencies in the UK, with over 9,000 new openings in 2018 alone. There are a number of different recruiters, with some of the biggest names operating across all sectors without any particular specialism.For the purpose of this blog, we’re going to talk about recruitment businesses that operate solely in the engineering sector, and below we’ve listed the added value this brings to your business during the hiring process. 1. True sector expertise You’ll be working with a business, and a recruiter, that works solely with engineers. Every conversation had with both candidates and clients will revolve around the engineering market, it’s trends and the talent within it. An experienced engineering recruiter can use their knowledge to make suggestions on transferable skills and compatibility, which is insight you won’t receive elsewhere.2. An extensive network of engineersExperienced engineering recruiters don’t only have access to a large internal database and job boards - their number one asset is their established personal network of engineering contacts. They have access to engineering talent that won’t be available elsewhere, and this is particularly important during a skills shortage, where other recruiters may all be searching in the same place.3. Reputation with engineersAn established engineering recruitment business will be recognisable to most engineers. They are much more likely to engage with, and trust, a reputable recruiter that’s known for work within the engineering sector. Having a reputable recruiter on your side when searching for the best engineering talent will help to make the process much easier for your business.Want to find out more?Utilising not only a recruiter but an engineering specialist, will help your business to find the best talent in an increasingly competitive market. Working as an engineering recruitment partner supporting businesses across the UK, ATA has a strong track record across the automation, automotive, chemical, production and FMCG sectors. Contact us below to find out how we can support your recruitment requirements and add real value to your business. CONTACT US
Read more
3 Top Tips for Maintenance Job Interviews
Whether you’re a Maintenance Engineer that has an interview lined up, or you’re just starting applying for jobs and want to prepare early, this blog is for you. Our Maintenance Recruitment Manager, James Campbell, has compiled a list of the 3 most important interview tips that are sure to give you an advantage during your maintenance job search.We’ve placed thousands of maintenance engineers into jobs, and in that time have perfected the art of great interview advice. Through our conversations with our clients, we know what they want to see, and we’re passing this knowledge directly on to you.1. Use explanations and examplesWhen you’re nervous, it’s natural and probably easier to be vague in an interview, but you need to avoid this to increase your chances of success. If asked a question, try to always draw on a specific example of where you’ve done a great job. It’s common in maintenance interviews to be asked how you do your job - again, be specific with your explanations. Too much information is better than none at all. Review the job description for the role you’re interviewing for so you’re fully aware of what the role requires. This will help you to pin-point which real-life examples to use. 2. Demonstrate your methods of safe workSafety is paramount in any manufacturing or maintenance environment, and you need to demonstrate that not only do you understand the importance of safety, but that your methods of work are safe. If asked about safe work, refer to points such as how you would isolate a power supply, how you would tag and lock off to ensure that the machine is safe and no harm can come to you or anybody else. 3. Don't undersell yourselfYou only get one chance to make a great impression in a job interview, and modesty isn’t going to help you to stand out. There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance, but if you can strike a balance, you’re in with a much better chance. Ensure you demonstrate your technical skills and safety knowledge, you don’t want the interviewer to have any doubts that you’re the best person for the job.Conclusion When combined with great preparation such as researching the company and planning your journey, the above tips will help you to ace your next engineering job interview. Remember to also do some research on typical engineering interview questions and remember to take your certifications, identification and reference details with you. Jobs in maintenanceWe have hundreds of jobs in engineering and maintenance, across a number of locations and shift patterns. Whether you’re mechanically or electrically biased, or a budding controls engineer, we have a variety of roles across the automation, automotive, chemical, production and FMCG sectors. We work with some of the biggest names across the manufacturing sector in the UK who are constantly on the lookout for talented maintenance engineers to join their teams. To browse our latest maintenance jobs and find your next exciting opportunity, click the button below.VIEW JOBS
Read more
Engineering Recruitment: What Attracts Maintenance Engineers?
Whether you’re a Hiring Manager already actively recruiting Maintenance Engineers, or planning ahead and preparing your engineering recruitment strategy, this blog is for you. We’ve spoken to our Maintenance Engineers and asked the question – other than salary, what attracts you to a maintenance job? Keep reading to find out the answer.The engineering skills shortage in the UK is having a real impact on businesses and their ability to recruit talented engineers. We see first-hand the effect this has on the maintenance market and the increasing salaries used to attract engineering candidates – view our ‘Average Engineering Salaries Report’ for more insight into this. This got us thinking, how else can our clients be competitive aside from a higher salary? What else would attract a Maintenance Engineer considering a new job?The results are in, and our engineers have had their say. The other most important factors in a job search are shift patterns, location and technology – some of which have been stated as more important than a generous salary.Maintenance Shift PatternsIt’s no secret that some maintenance shift patterns can be long and unsociable. Permanent days, permanent nights, panama, and continental are some of the most common. Of those asked, 64% of Maintenance Engineers cited shift patterns as their number one influencing factor when searching for a new job, with 45% of those stating that they would take a lesser salary for better shift patterns.One Maintenance Engineer asked, said: “I enjoy engineering it’s been a hobby since my childhood hence the money is not my key concern. I love the work, I don’t love the hours. Give me an employer with better contractual hours and I’ll take the job for less money.”Most manufacturing environments are 24/7, and there will always be a requirement for staff to cover shifts around the clock. However, these statistics demonstrate the need for greater flexibility where possible. When recruiting Maintenance Engineers, the ability to offer a variety of shift patterns is likely to attract talent ahead of your competition.Working locationOf those asked, 22% of Maintenance Engineers stated that working location is their highest priority, explaining that a lengthy commute would not be an option. When asked specific time frames, 57% stated that a job would need to be within 20 miles of home.One of our engineers responded: “Nobody wants a long journey either side of a 12 hour shift, it’s tiring and you wouldn’t have any time for yourself or your family. I wouldn’t consider a role any further than 45 minutes away from me.”We understand that you can’t change where your site is based, but having an understanding of the attitude towards commute times and working locations will help you to know where to focus your efforts.TechnologyThe remaining 14% of Maintenance Engineers asked stated that working with interesting and exciting technology is a necessity. This isn’t surprising, with most engineers being self-confessed ‘tech geeks’, but what may be surprising is the number of engineers that state it’s their priority when searching for maintenance jobs.One Maintenance Engineer said: “I’ve got to enjoy my job and I’ve got to be interested in the tech and machinery I’m working with, otherwise I’ll quickly get bored.”Even if you’re not necessarily the most innovative company, there’s still an opportunity to highlight the most attractive parts of your technology to engineers during your recruitment campaign.The demand for Maintenance Engineers is so high that employers are increasing salaries by up to 15% to attract the best talent. But in a market where every business is offering the same generous remuneration, it’s important to know what other factors will attract Maintenance Engineers.There are some factors here you can’t change, but knowledge is power. This blog provides you with the information needed to shape your engineering recruitment strategy. Emphasise on the shifts if they’re desirable and try to be flexible if their not, don’t concentrate on locations too far afield and demonstrate your exciting technology to potential candidates.Engineering RecruitmentATA is so much more than just an engineering recruitment agency. Our extensive network of engineers, paired with over 50 years experience within the marketplace, make us the perfect engineering recruitment partner to your business.If you would like to find out more about ATA Recruitment and how we can help your business, including recruiting engineers and our market-leading 2 year guarantee, contact us below.CONTACT US
Read more
An Engineer's Guide to Maintenance Shift Patterns
Whether you’re a seasoned Maintenance Engineer or relatively new to the profession, the numerous shift patterns and jargon can be confusing. This blog is a simple guide to maintenance shift patterns and will help you to decide what’s best for you during your job search.We recently asked our Maintenance Engineers what their biggest deciding factor in their job search is outside of salary and the majority stated that the right shifts are their #1 priority. So, what’s the right maintenance shift for you? See some of the most common below.Continental ShiftsThe most common of all maintenance shifts is the Continental pattern. In a nutshell, you would be working 12-hour shifts on a 4-on-4-off basis. Typically, week one would be 4 straight days, week two 4 straight nights, with 4 days off in between. Your rota would look something like the below. It is however, worth mentioning that Continentals can also be 2 days, 2 nights, 4 off.MonTuesWedThursFriSatSunWeek 16am-6pm6am-6pm6am-6pm6am-6pmoffoffoffWeek 2off6pm-6am6pm-6am6pm-6am6pm-6amoffoffPanama ShiftsAlso known as the lifestyle shift, Panama works nicely for those that would prefer to work fewer weekends. Working 12-hour shifts on a 3-on-3-off followed by 2-on-2-off basis, with a rotation of both days and nights, a rota would look like the below:MonTuesWedThursFriSatSunWeek 17am-7pm7am-7pmoffoff7am-7pm7am-7pm7am-7pmWeek 2offoff7am-7pm7am-7pmoffoffoffWeek 37pm-7am7pm-7amoffoff7pm-7am7pm-7am7pm-7amWeek 4offoff7pm-7am7pm-7amoffoffoffThree ShiftsMonTuesWedThursFriSatSunWeek 16am-2pm6am-2pm6am-2pm6am-2pm6am-2pmoffoffWeek 22pm-10pm2pm-10pm2pm-10pm2pm-10pm2pm-10pmoffoffWeek 310pm-6am10pm-6am10pm-6am10pm-6am10pm-6amoffoffDouble DaysDouble days is the perfect shift for Maintenance Engineers that don’t want to work nights or weekends. Consisting of 8-hour days, the double day shift tends to include a week of morning hours followed by a week of afternoons, like below:MonTuesWedThursFriSatSunWeek 16am-2pm6am-2pm6am-2pm6am-2pm6am-2pmoffoffWeek 22pm-10pm2pm-10pm2pm-10pm2pm-10pm2pm-10pmoffoffFor more maintenance engineering market insights, download our 2025 Half Year Maintenance Salary Report. The 2026 edition is coming soon!Maintenance JobsWe’ve been recruiting in maintenance for over 50 years and know a thing or two about engineers and the engineering sector. A work-life balance is important, and we have hundreds of Maintenance Engineer jobs which offer a variety of shift patterns to suit you. View our jobs below or contact us to discuss your requirements.VIEW MAINTENANCE JOBSCONTACT US
Read more
Average Engineering Salaries in the Midlands Report (2018)
Whether you’re an employer wanting to recruit engineers and gain a better understanding of average engineering salaries, or an engineer just wanting to ensure that your salary is in line with the average, this report is perfect for you. We answer some of the most common questions, including the average Maintenance Engineer salary in the UK. Job roles covered in this report include Electrical Maintenance Engineer, Mechanical Design Engineer, Manufacturing Manager, and many others.We’ve been recruiting in the engineering sector for over 50 years, and in this time have developed a thorough knowledge of the marketplace through both experience and data analysis, helping our clients to achieve fast, simple and effective recruitment. During conversations with our clients, we’re often asked what the average salary is for the role they’re trying to fill. We are also often surprised by how many of our candidates aren’t aware of whether their salary is above or below the average.Average Engineering Salaries in the Midlands ReportUsing our own data from thousands of placements made over the last 12 months, we decided to publish this report to answer one of the most common questions that arise during the recruitment process – what are the average salaries in engineering? How much do Maintenance Engineers make? What’s the average Maintenance Engineer Salary in the UK? Whether you’re advertising a single job, or recruiting in high volumes, it’s important to know what salary to offer.Starting with The Midlands region, we’ve removed any guesswork and taken a look at the true salaries offered by our clients to our successful candidates placed into engineering jobs. The report includes an overview of the engineering marketplace and answers the following questions: The average Maintenance Engineer salary in the UKThe average Quality Engineer salary in the UKThe average Design Engineer salary in the UKThe average Engineering Manager salary in the UKThe average Internal Sales salary in the UKThe average External Sales salary in the UK& many more average engineering salaries in the UKDownload the salary reportThe report will open in a secure PDF format that you can either view online (web and mobile) and save for future reference. Simply fill in the brief form below to download. If you’re looking for an engineering recruitment specialist to support your business, or help you to find a new job, you can also contact us here.Engineering RecruitmentATA Recruitment are manufacturing and engineering recruitment specialists, working alongside some of the UK’s biggest businesses for over 50 years. We help our clients to overcome the engineering skills gap and hire the best talent for their engineering team in a very competitive market.Our thorough processes ensure that employers receive a seamless service, saving them both time and money in the recruitment process. If you would like to find out more about how ATA can support your business to fill your engineering jobs, contact us using the button below.
Read more
How to Become an Engineering Contractor
Want to know more about how to become an engineering contractor, but not sure where to start? If you’re a permanent engineer looking for advice on how to start contracting, this blog is for you.With the help of one of our Contract Recruitment Specialists, who has over 12 years’ experience with engineering contractors, we have compiled a list of things you will need to think about and action before you begin your first contract.We’ve also spoken to contractor insurance specialists, Kingsbridge, to outline your protection requirements as a contractor, to protect both you and your clients from any unexpected costs. Keep reading to find out the steps you’ll need to take to become an engineering contractor.Weigh up the pros and consIf you’ve always been a permanent employee, there are several things to consider when making the move into contracting. When you leave permanent employment, you also lose all the comforts of a permanent job, such as holiday pay and sick pay – as a contractor, you’re only paid for the time you work. However, contractor pay is attractive, and the flexibility is ideal for those who don’t always want to work 9-5.There are both reasons for and against contracting, and it completely depends on your personal circumstances. Read our blog on the life of a contractor for a full comparison of contract and permanent employment.Do some market researchHow much contractors are paid is determined by several factors – experience, location and market demand are just some of the things that may influence your rate. Some of the rates you may have seen advertised could be completely different to what you could realistically earn.Do some research on job boards and find out what rates are being offered for roles similar to your profile and ask your connections about current pay rates in the market. Doing so will ensure you’re realistic and know exactly what to expect when it comes to looking for your first engineering contract.Working awayIt’s very unlikely that you will find an engineering contract on your doorstep – the right contract can sometimes come with lengthy commutes or require you to lodge for the duration until the work is complete. Whether this is feasible will of course depend on your individual circumstances, but it’s a question that will come up during any conversation with a contract recruiter, so ensure your mind is made up.Set up a limited companyGreat, you’ve decided that contracting is the route you want to go down, so now you need to get set up.Most engineering contractors we work with at ATA are paid through a personal service company (PSC) which is the most common way to contract as it’s the most tax efficient. In order to do this, you would need to set up your own limited company. Working as a PSC and running a limited company, you’re invoicing for your work as a business, not an individual, and therefore are accountable for all the admin involved, including corporation tax and other deductions.You will not be able to start an engineering contract as a PSC without your certificate of incorporation, business bank account details and proof of identity, so ensure you have all that ready before you begin searching for your first contract role. You will also be required to obtain relevant insurances, we’ll cover this later in this blog.Contractor InsurancesIn order to carry out any work as a contractor, most clients and recruiters will require you to have Public Liability Insurance and Professional Indemnity Insurance.Public Liability covers you if somebody is injured, or property is damaged as a result of your actions while providing a service. Professional Indemnity covers you if you’re accused of professional negligence, bad advice or making an error that costs your client money.Even the best of us make mistakes. Yes, even you. 9 times out of 10 everything will run smoothly, but there’s always a chance of something going wrong. Maybe you’ll give the wrong advice, or perhaps you’ll make incorrect measurements which set the project back or requires retrospective work.We work closely with Kingsbridge Contractor Insurance who insure over 50,000 contractors throughout the UK. Rather than piecing together various elements of insurance at a high price, Kingsbridge offer all the key insurances a contractor needs in one easy-to-manage package. They also have a price promise – if you can find the same cover for a better price, they’ll match it.You will need to obtain these insurances before you can start contracting, and by reading this you can benefit from a 10% discount on your annual policy with Kingsbridge by following the button at the bottom of this blog.IR35 StatusYou don’t necessarily need to know every small detail about IR35, but you will need to understand whether your contract will be inside or outside of IR35, and exactly what this means.The IR35 status of your contract will have an effect on the amount of tax you pay, as those inside IR35 are taxed the same as a permanent employee. For a full explanation of IR35, what it means and how it may affect you, we recommend visiting Contractor Calculator.This blog has outlined both the decision-making process for becoming a contractor, and the initial steps required for you to be eligible to work on your first contract. Hopefully, by now you’re much clearer on what you need to do and are ready to begin searching for an engineering job. The last piece of the puzzle is finding a great engineering contract recruiter – that’s where ATA Recruitment comes in.Contract Engineering JobsATA Recruitment is more than just an engineering recruitment agency – we have a dedicated contract team that can help you to find a job and provide advice about contracting and the engineering marketplace. To begin searching for an engineering job, and to claim your 10% insurance discount with Kingsbridge through ATA, use the buttons below.Search Engineering JobsGet 10% off Contractor Insurance
Read more
Visual Foresight Allows Robots to Predict Their Future
Researchers at Berkley University in California have developed technology that could change the future of automation. Visual foresight enables robots to predetermine the outcome of future actions. The critical part of this advancement is that the robots do not require human intervention. They can learn to perform tasks without any help or prior knowledge.The new technology is sure to spark more debate about the use of robots and the risk to human jobs. One thing is for certain, the use of industrial robotics is steadily increasing, with sales of robots growing by around 13% each year.The ground-breaking technologyVisual foresight allows robots to predict what their cameras will see after they perform a sequence of movements. With the new technology, a robot pushes objects on a table, then uses the learned prediction model to choose motions that will move another object to the desired location avoiding any obstructions.“In the same way that we can imagine how our actions will move the objects in our environment, this method can enable a robot to visualize how different behaviour will affect the world around it,” said Sergey Levine, assistant professor in Berkeley’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, whose lab developed the technology. “This can enable intelligent planning of highly flexible skills in complex real-world situations.”The future of automation in engineeringDespite the robotic imaginations still being relatively simple for now, this is an indication of what could be possible in the future. Once developed further, the technology could potentially play a part in fully automated manufacturing, or the creation of self-driving cars.New technology leads to new opportunities for engineers. An increase in robots means more demand for maintenance, repair and programming specialists. We explore the effect on human jobs as robotics increase in other parts of our automation series.What our engineers sayWe talk to engineers every day and we wanted to know how they feel about visual foresight and how it may affect them in the future. The majority of those asked explained that as engineers they are familiar with change, and are confident that it’s a positive advancement.“It’s going to mean more work for engineers with a guaranteed income,” said Paul, a multi-skilled Maintenance Engineer. “I think it’s really exciting.”Phil, a Program Manager in the manufacturing sector said: “Jobs and engineering will always change, go forward. The accuracy and efficiency will improve using automated processes and data. That is a good thing!”“As long as they are programmed correctly it’s a good move,” said Jim, a Project Engineer. “Automation often stops when there is unexpected debris and this will always require a skilled operator to intervene.”Engineering JobsLooking for your next engineering or manufacturing job? We have hundreds of exciting opportunities with some of the biggest manufacturing companies in the UK. View our engineering jobs below.View Jobs
Read more
Cobots and Automation: The End of Manufacturing as We Know it?
ATA Recruitment work with some of the UK’s largest manufacturers that are embracing automation and using it to further their business. This has inspired us to take a look at one of the newest technological advancements – Cobots.To kick-start our automation series, we’re taking a look at Cobots and what they mean for manufacturing and engineering. ATA see first-hand the concerns about the ‘robot revolution’ and what it’s going to mean for workers in the future. We have addressed some of these concerns in this blog and highlighted some facts about cobots to debunk some of the common the myths.What are Cobots in manufacturing?Cobots, or collaborative robots are reshaping automation in manufacturing by working alongside humans to complete operations. The use of this automation is allowing us to increase productivity and improve products. The first industrial robot was designed by George Devol in 1954 . This prototype was capable of transferring objects from one point to another and coined the term universal automation. Robots were introduced into the manufacturing industry in the 1960s and they have been used since to ease the burden of heavy duty tasks and improve the efficiency of the manufacturing process. Historically, standard robots used in manufacturing have been separated from workers and usually locked in cages. In recent years we’ve seen the birth of Cobots, which no longer just work for humans, but work with them.Will Cobots replace humans people?Robots have often been seen as just a fad… massive, clunky, “useless” bits of kit built by engineers. But Cobots are designed to be the future. Some of the key features of collaborative robots are: They’re safe for human workers - A Cobot has sensors that detect when a human finger or hand is in the way, avoiding any injuries. This coupled with helping to lift heavy loads mean the older / less able generation have more opportunities.They’re flexible - They no longer need to be caged or cordoned off, so they can be transported around the factory to complete several different jobs making them very cost-effective.They can learn -Some cobots have learning capabilities through artificial intelligence. This means they can learn to understand their tasks while on the job, as supposed to being programmed beforehand.They create job satisfaction - workers comment on how they are getting more job satisfaction as they get to “complete the job” with the Cobot rather than work on parts of it before it is shipped off to another worker.Are Cobots the End of our Manufacturing Industry?What does the advent of Cobot mean for the manufacturing industry and those working in it? The ‘Robot Revolution’ is something that has been discussed for many years, but with the global Cobot market set to grow to $11.5 billion by 2025, it’s never been more relevant. A recent study has warned that over 10 million UK jobs could be at risk of being replaced by such robots within 15 years, with an estimated 1.2 million of them being in manufacturing. However, it’s important to consider both sides of the fence – Cobots can relieve humans of the mundane and repetitive jobs of the manufacturing process, which could them allow them to be working on the more skilled elements. Some of the companies using cobots describe them as aides for the ‘dull, dirty and dangerous’ jobs that humans dislike. Technology doesn’t always work and can malfunction, and collaborative robots are no exception. There will always be a need for on-site human labour when dealing with manufacturing and machines. The rise of Cobots would undoubtedly create a higher demand for maintenance and engineers to service them. At ATA there’s a lot of talk about Cobots. We feel that they are not the end of manufacturing – but just perhaps they are the end of manufacturing as we know it. We will be talking to the experts and exploring cobots more in our automation series, subscribe to the blog to ensure you don’t miss out! Automation is undoubtedly going to continue to change the way that we work, but for now what the future holds and how prominent cobots will become in manufacturing is mostly unknown.ATA Recruitment is an manufacturing and engineering recruitment agency with a difference. Our internal database includes over 40,000 relevant and engaged engineers not available on job boards. ATA find out more than just candidates job history – we identify goals and motivations to ensure a complete match with the values of our client’s businesses.Whether you’re looking for your next engineering job, or need support in hiring an engineer, contact us below.CONTACT US
Read more
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
"We contacted ATA Search to assist us with the recruitment of several General Manager roles across the UK. These roles are critical to the success of our business and are highly autonomous.
We have an objective to improve our diversity in senior manager roles, with a specific focus on increasing the number of women globally in top management. It was important that our recruitment partner was able to work with us in this regard for the vacant General Manager positions. ATA Search was both professional and enthusiastic throughout the process. They took time to understand the roles and the range of skills and experience we were looking for. They kept us up to date with his retained search progress and took the time to discuss potential candidates in detail ahead of scheduling interviews and remained engaged with candidates both up to and following their start dates.
ATA Search succeeded in placing three candidates into senior roles, including two female candidates. We are currently working with ATA Search on some marketing collateral to further assist our diversity ambitions."
Human Resources Director, Elis UK Ltd
GET IN TOUCH