Despite nearly half of professionals actively job hunting, over half of hiring managers are still struggling to recruit.
Hiring Challenges Amid Rising Candidate Mobility
According to the report, 55% of global engineering and manufacturing hiring managers struggled to fill roles over the past 12 months — rising to 60% in the UK. This comes as 49% of professionals globally and 39% in the UK say they’re actively seeking new opportunities.
The findings highlight a clear opportunity for employers: in a competitive market, success will rely not just on what’s offered but on how clearly company culture, values, and wellbeing commitments are communicated.
Purpose and Culture Now Critical in Attracting Talent
Purpose-led work is becoming a defining priority. In the UK, 43% of professionals now rank purpose as a top career factor, up from 26% last year and notably ahead of the 33% global average.
Yet internal cultures haven’t kept pace — only 38% of UK engineering and manufacturing workers feel they can be their authentic selves at work. This presents a real opportunity for businesses to build better-aligned, engaged, and purpose-driven teams.
Ruth Hancock, Regional Director, Engineering at Michael Page, said:
“People want more than a job; they want to feel they’re making a real impact. Employers who communicate opportunities for meaningful, purposeful work — especially in areas like sustainability — will lead the way.”
Wellbeing Outranks Pay in Career Decisions
Wellbeing is increasingly influencing career moves. In the UK, 72% of professionals would turn down a promotion if it compromised their wellbeing, compared to 49% globally.
Meanwhile, 46% of UK workers lack confidence in leadership’s ability to balance business needs with employee wellbeing — with dissatisfaction driving 42% to actively look for new roles.
Work-Life Balance Now the Top Career Driver
Salary has fallen down the list of priorities, with just 12% of UK professionals naming it as their top motivator, compared to 32% globally. In contrast, 83% of workers in the UK and globally say work-life balance is now the most important factor when considering a new role.
The findings suggest that financial incentives alone won’t secure top talent in a market where flexibility, wellbeing, and purposeful work are increasingly non-negotiable.
AI Adoption Growing — But Training Gaps Remain
AI use is rapidly rising in engineering and manufacturing roles. 43% of global professionals now use AI in their work, up from 24% a year ago, with 78% engaging with AI tools weekly. In the UK, 71% report weekly AI use.
While AI is delivering tangible benefits — including increased productivity (73%) and improved work quality (72%) — there’s a growing demand for clearer company policies and better training.
Globally, 62% of professionals feel their organisation could do more to prepare them for AI integration, and 41% use AI tools not provided by their employer.
Ruth Hancock added:
“In today’s market, clarity matters more than ever. Whether it’s around AI, flexible working, or leadership values, those employers who lead with transparency will be best placed to attract and retain the talent they need.”
