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
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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
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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
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Interim Recruitment
Maintenance Manager
Engineering Manager
Production Manager
Plant Manager
Operations Manager
Engineering Director
Technical Director
Health and Safety Manager
Factory Manager
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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
Project Manager
£360 - 380 per day
Warrington
Project Manager – Water Treatment (Contract) Location: Warrington (Hybrid) Rate: £360–£380 p/day (outside IR35) Duration: 12 months Pattern: Hybrid + occasional UK site travel We’re looking for a Project Manager to support delivery of multiple water and wastewater treatment projects for a global water technology business. You’ll lead projects involving UV disinfection, chemical dosing, monitoring systems, control panels, and related M&E works — from contract award through to handover. This role is ideal for a technically aware PM with strong commercial and NEC3/NEC4 contract experience. Key Responsibilities: Deliver multiple water/process engineering projects end-to-end Plan, schedule, forecast and track time/cost/performance Manage commercial aspects including NEC variations and cost control Coordinate engineering, procurement, manufacturing & site teams Maintain client & stakeholder communication throughout project lifecycle Oversee installation, commissioning, quality, H&S and risk management Requirements: Proven Project Manager or Project Engineer background Experience delivering water, wastewater or regulated/process projects NEC3 or NEC4 contract experience Strong commercial & contractual awareness Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical documentation Excellent communication & stakeholder management skills Comfortable travelling to UK sites as required (expenses covered) Benefits: Hybrid working Exposure to varied and high-profile projects 12 month contract I am looking to speak to talented Project Managers who are looking for a rewarding and highly challenging position. For more information, please contact Fred O’Reilly 07827918324 or email your CV to fred.oreilly@ata-recruitment.co.uk Recruitment Consultant at ATA Recruitment. 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
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Regional Sales Manager
£46000 - 55000 per year Commission, OTE up to £75/80k, Company car, Company pension
Nottinghamshire
Regional Sales Manager Working from home – Midlands/North based £46,000 –55,000 plus OTE £Up to c£75/80k Company Car, Phone/Laptop, Commission up to c£25k paid monthly, Company Pension The Company Our client is design and manufacture specialist equipment for some of the UK’s largest FMCG, food & beverage and pharmaceutical companies with a global turnover of £100 million globally. The business forms part of a global organisation and has been established for over 50 years. The UK business provides sales, service and spares and is a well-respected brand with a great reputation within the industries they provide into. The business has been achieving consistent 10% year on year growth in part due to their fantastic quality and service to their clients, but also due to their determined and skilled Sales team who work in regions across the UK both independently and collaboratively. They’re currently looking to strengthen their Sales team by adding a Regional Sales Manager to takeover the East Midlands/North East/Yorkshire area of the country and continue to develop strong relationships with current clients alongside building new relationship through new business development wins. The Role The company manufacture a wide range of bespoke products including weighing machinery, x-rays and metal detection equipment alongside ancillary products to incorporate within various manufacturing environments. The role of Regional Sales Manager will see you being responsible for £1.6 million of annual sales for this equipment across the region. The business generates much of their current revenue through existing customer relationships or through warm leads due to their significant and respected name within the industry. Lead comes in (from marketing, website or self-generated through BD activities) Visit the customer to scope the site and gather understating of what is required – what function, budget, available space, what speed does it need to run at etc Understand what problem the customer needs solving with the installation of the new system. Discuss service options for after sales service Create proposal describing machine required, technical functions with pricing Each piece of equipment sells for up to c£32k with a sales process taking typically 2 months Once customer agrees – moves to internal sales team to confirm order, drawings produced for customer sign off before manufacturing begins The Candidate To be successful in your application for this Regional Sales Manager role you will need: A background in technical sales A strong interest in business development over account management Good relationship building skills Able to work well and thrive under pressure Self driven and motivated Motivated by personal achievement The Benefits For this Regional Sales Manager role, the following benefits are on offer: £46,000 – 55,000 depending on experience Commission scheme with an OTE up to c£75-80k (Depending on base salary) Company car Company pension 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
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Machine Operator
£37000 - 42500 per year BENEFITS + IMMINENT PAY RISE
Dagenham
Role: Operator Shift: Earlies, lates and nights – 12 hours, some weekend work Salary: £37,000-£42,500 Location: Dagenham The Company Are you interested in a company which is well established but also growing rapidly? Our client operates a large safety-critical industrial facility with >100 storage assets. With a strong turnover of over £100 million, they rent space to companies to store material in bulk quantities. Our client has a solid maintenance function with a supportive environment, and they are currently looking for another Operator to add to their team! Our client has a clear, structured plan to invest £10 million in upgrading their equipment, facilities and to make way for Continuous Improvement projects! The Role As an Operator, your responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Using a tablet to analyse safety hazards and perform the correct checks Loading and discharging heavy duty tankers and vessels Operating cranes to rig vessels Manually gauge tank liquid levels and report accordingly Work at heights to perform tank inspection and cleaning duties Keeping the site clean and safe from any spillages About You The ideal Operator will have the following: 5 GCSEs or equivalent Experience working with a manual-heavy role Willingness to work outside and in harsh weather conditions Confidence in fast-past working situations Company Benefits The company also discloses numerous benefits for the role of Operator which include: A healthy company matched pension Continuous 16 day breaks – plan your holidays throughout the year easily The opportunity to work with 30 other experienced shift staff and bounce ideas off each other 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
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Administrator
£34720 - 34720 per year BENEFITS
Dagenham
Role: Administrator (x2) Shift: Mon-Fri Days (6-2, 10-6) Salary: Up to £34,720 Location: Dagenham The Company Are you interested in a company which is well established but also growing rapidly? Our client operates a large safety-critical industrial facility with >100 storage assets. With a strong turnover of over £100 million, they rent space to companies to store material in bulk quantities. Our client has a solid maintenance function with a supportive environment, and they are currently looking for another couple motivated Administrators to add to their team! Our client has a clear, structured plan to invest £10 million in upgrading their equipment, facilities and to make way for Continuous Improvement projects! The Role As an Administrator, your responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Welcoming visitors to the site Liaising with drivers and dispatchers to ensure they have the correct documentation Operating weighbridge machines to weigh vehicles from arrival and departure of site Reporting correct financial and data figures to HMRC Writing detailed reports and analysing key terminal data Communicating effectively with customers mostly via email and occasionally via phone About You The ideal Administrator will have the following: 5 GCSEs or equivalent Experience working with an administrative role Good mathematical knowledge Confidence in fast-past working situations Excellent communication skills Company Benefits The company also discloses numerous benefits for the role of Administrator which include: A healthy company matched pension 33 days holiday allowance The opportunity to work with 35 other experienced shift staff and bounce ideas off each other 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
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Crane FLT Export Packer
£28500 - 28500 per year
Ilkley
Crane FLT Export Packer Leeds • Bradford • Shipley • Otley • Keighley Temp to Perm - £28,500 per annum FLT / Crane Operations / Engineering drawings / Bespoke Warehouse Environment I am working with my client based in West Yorkshire who require an Export Packer / Logistics Operative to join the business. The company designs, manufactures, and installs process capital equipment and is seeking a practical, hands-on individual who is confident working in a busy, industrial logistics environment. Key Responsibilities • Build packing cases and crates, ensuring all items are packed to international export standards. • Prepare pallets, follow pick lists, and work from basic engineering drawings. • Use basic hand and power tools confidently – e.g., chop saws & nail guns • Operate forklifts, cranes, and other warehouse equipment to move and load goods safely. • Load shipping containers and company vehicles, ensuring loads are secure and compliant. • Work across a varied workflow – no two jobs are the same, and priorities may shift quickly. • Maintain a clean and organised working area and support wider logistics and warehouse duties as required. About You • Previous experience as an export packer or in a similar industrial/warehouse environment. • Comfortable using tools and undertaking hands-on, physical work. • Experience with forklift and crane operations (tickets beneficial but training can be given). • Able to read basic engineering drawings and work accurately from pick lists. • Experience in vehicle loading and container loading is highly desirable. • Carpentry or joinery experience is a bonus but not essential. Benefits • Varied, hands-on role with diverse daily tasks. • Opportunities for training and upskilling. • Competitive hourly rate depending on experience. • Supportive, safety-focused working 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
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Welder Fabricator
£17 - 18 per hour
Huddersfield
**Welder/Fabricator – Factory Based** Location: Huddersfield Rate: £16.50-£17.50p/h Shift: Monday to Thursday, 6:30am- 4:15pm, 37 hours p/w Permanent About the Role: We are looking for a skilled Welder/Fabricator to join our team, working on a variety of welding and fabrication tasks to meet industry standards. The role will involve welding on a wide range of materials and pipe sizes in a factory-based environment, ensuring the highest quality and safety standards are maintained. Key Responsibilities: Welding to ASME IX and ISO3834 requirements. Plating and welding on Carbon steel, Stainless steel, Duplex, and Super Duplex materials (3mm to 40mm thick plate). Pipe welding on Carbon steel, Stainless steel, Duplex, and Super Duplex materials (½” to 12” pipe SCH10 to SCH80). Mig – Tig – Flux Core Oxy/Acetylene and Plasma cutting Operation of JIB cranes and overhead cranes. Requirements: Extensive experience in welding and fabrication. Proficiency in welding Carbon steel, Stainless steel, Duplex, and Super Duplex. Ability to operate welding processes such as GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, and SAW in 1G and 6G positions. Experience with oxy/acetylene and plasma cutting. Weld Test on site required I am looking to speak to experienced Fabricator Welders who are looking for a rewarding and challenging contract position. For more information, please contact Sam Martlew – Recruitment Specialist at ATA recruitment. 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 You must be eligible to live and work within the UK. Sponsorship is not provided. 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
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multi-skilled maintenance engineer
£37000 - 40000 per year 6% Pension
Macclesfield
Electrically Biased Maintenance Engineer – Days (Mon–Fri) Location- Macclesfield Salary- £37,000 – £40,000 + 6% company pension + overtime + 27 days holiday + bank holidays About the Role: A long-established manufacturing business in Macclesfield is seeking an Electrically Biased Maintenance Engineer to join their close-knit engineering team. This opening has become available due to the upcoming retirement of a valued team member — a rare opportunity, as everyone in the team has over 10 years of service, which speaks volumes about what it’s like to work here. You’ll be responsible for maintaining, fault-finding, and repairing manufacturing and production equipment, ensuring the smooth and safe running of plant operations. This is a days-only role, Monday to Friday, offering great work-life balance and long-term stability. The Role: Carry out both planned and reactive maintenance on manufacturing equipment Diagnose electrical and mechanical faults quickly and efficiently Support process improvements and continuous reliability initiatives Work safely to company and regulatory standards You’ll Need: Electrical bias with strong multi-skilled maintenance experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment Recognised electrical qualifications (NVQ Level 3, City & Guilds, or similar) A positive attitude, good communication skills, and a team-focused approach What’s on Offer: Salary: £37,000 – £40,000 DOE Days: Monday to Friday Pension: 6% company contribution Overtime: x1.3 on Saturdays, x2 on Sundays Holidays: 27 days + 8 bank holidays Stable, supportive environment with excellent staff retention Interested? If you’re looking for a secure, rewarding role where people genuinely enjoy what they do, this could be the perfect next move. Apply now to join a team that values experience, reliability, and a positive approach. 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
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Maintenance Engineer
£55000 - 55000 per year Overtime, Bonus, Pension, Training
Birmingham
Role – Maintenance Engineer Shift – Panama Days and Nights Location – Birmingham Salary – £55,000, Plus Private Healthcare, Pension and security The Company I am currently recruiting for a company who are an systems integrator on a global scale across the world, they operate in numerous countries with plenty of tier one clients and are currently consistently growing across the UK over the past numerous years. Operational in over 50 countries world wide and forever growing within the UK This site in Birmingham is a brand-new site for the company that is currently finishing the final steps before going live, The site will be fully automated with millions of pounds worth of investment into making sure the site is state of the art for when it opens. They are currently looking for a Maintenance Team Leader to join the company, someone who will lead the innovation. So if you are looking to work in automated logistics on a brand-new site this is for you They are looking for a team player who enjoys the culture of being in a large maintenance team and someone who wants to bring positive energy to the table. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual that is looking for a career with a market leading company, with excellent prospects for the successful applicant to grow with the company and work closely within a maintenance team. The Role As a Maintenance Engineer you will: Be working on state of the art: bagging machines, conveyors, shuttle system, various material handling systems and more Day to day maintenance including carrying out reactive tasks and standard PPMS Mechanically you will be replacing like for like components, Hydraulic and Pneumatic systems and fault finding Electrically you will be fault finding, working with sensors, relays and working in control panels The Candidate I am looking for a Maintenance Engineer that: Has a recognised engineering qualification Confident in working independently and with a Site Engineer Confident fault finding Mechanically and Electrically Confident in reading drawings Salary and Benefits As a Maintenance Engineer you will receive; - An annual salary of £55,000 - A healthy pension contribution from my client - Private Healthcare for yourself and a small cost for immediate family - Lots of other benefits inc C2W scheme, High street discounts and more 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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Combatting COVID-19 - We Can Keep You Moving
You’re likely facing a few months of uncertainty around hiring. Frustratingly, it feels like a long time to press pause on processes you've worked so hard to mature. For that reason we've taken measures to make sure you’re in a strong position, both during the pandemic and when COVID-19 passes.On average, a talent pipeline takes 2-4 months to mature. This means we run the risk of turning a 3-month problem into a 12+ month problem if we take drastic measures and press stop. But we can’t simply carry on as normal either. We must find a way to slow down your process enough to cope with the change, whilst maintaining momentum with candidates to support your hiring plans for the remainder of the year.Our new instant video technologyIn line with our commitment to deliver excellence to our clients, we have launched our innovative instant video platform, ATA Connect.The video software is designed specifically for the screening and interview process to keep your pipeline of talent moving. Offering our clients increased reach, greater flexibility and hiring efficiencies during these challenging times.We understand that every business requires different levels of support when it comes to recruitment. So, whether you need help with part of your recruitment process or all of it, our flexible solution allows you to select the parts that are most suited to your current needs.Record interviews and involve decision makersThis technology, which is the most streamlined available on the market, allows us to provide recorded live interviews between our recruiters and candidates. We can also now involve your hiring managers in the process too. These interviews can then be shared with any decision makers in your business, without the need for diary co-ordination. You will be able to give and view feedback instantly, allowing you to collaborate in a cohesive way over identical questions and responses.Increased reach and easy to useWe’ve chosen a specialist provider that allows interviews to take place on laptop, tablet and mobile devices in low bandwidth situations, giving us access to even the most remote candidates. The tech requires no downloads, registrations, or dedicated logins, ensuring candidates with any level of technical ability can take part. We simply send a link, which they click once, and they’re ready to go.Improved screening processWe have the ability to record one-way interviews of candidates. This means that you can give us written questions that display one at a time to the interviewee, allowing them to record the answers to the questions on their own and submit the video back to you.Easy to access and reviewWe can present the videos back to you in an interactive shortlist page which gives you full visibility of everyone in the process. These pages have commenting functions for each candidate shortlisted, as well as a document viewer that can hold up to five supporting attachments, such as a CV, certificates or proof of eligibility to work in the UK. All of this means you retain complete control throughout, even during this time of unforeseen disruption.Get in touchIf you would like to find out how we can keep your pipeline of talent moving or want to simply discuss your current recruitment challenges, please get in touch using the contact form below.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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: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 16am-6pm6am-6pm6am-6pmoffoffoff6am-6pmWeek 26am-6pmoffoff6pm-6am6pm-6am6pm-6amoffThree 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 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-10pmoffoffMaintenance 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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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