Mind the Technician Gap: Why the UK Lacks the Skilled Workforce to Deliver Its Industrial Strategy
New research from the Burning Glass Institute, funded by the Gatsby Foundation, reveals a hidden labour crisis at the heart of the UK economy: Britain does not have enough technicians to deliver its own industrial strategy.
The recent Skills White Paper highlights the scale of the challenge, estimating that the UK will need 900,000 additional skilled workers in priority sectors by 2030, with skills-shortage vacancies already accounting for a quarter of all open roles. Our analysis shows the problem is even more acute in technician occupations central to the UK’s industrial strategy, where more than one in three roles already faces severe shortages.
As the government commits to helping more employers invest in workforce development and enabling more young people to secure apprenticeships, our reports underline both the centrality of apprenticeships to the technician pipeline and a major missed opportunity: the failure to draw on underrepresented talent, particularly women and girls. In seven in ten technician occupations with skills shortages (69%), fewer than 5% of workers are women—and in many of the best-paid, highest-demand trades the figure is effectively zero. We propose a target equivalent to a 10-percentage-point increase in female representation in relevant apprenticeships, which would bring nearly 70,000 additional workers into the technician workforce over the next decade.
With the government seeking to expand the technician workforce, our findings also highlight the appeal of these roles: they are among the most AI- and automation-resilient jobs in the economy and offer strong wages, clear progression routes and high retention—alongside sustained employer demand.
Director of Programs at The Burning Glass Institute, Harry Carr, said, “If the UK is to deliver its industrial strategy, closing the technician gap must now be treated as a national priority—one in which apprenticeships, and a broader, more inclusive talent pipeline, are essential to success.”
Jenni French, Gatsby Charitable Foundation said: “Britain’s industrial strategy will only succeed if we have the technicians to deliver it. Apprenticeships are one of the fastest, most proven ways to build that workforce – but we won’t close the gap unless far more young people can access high-quality places, and we tackle the stark underrepresentation of women and girls in technician routes.”
Download Mind the Technician Gap, our report on the technician talent pipeline, here.
Download The Technician Opportunity, our report on the opportunity technician roles represent in the UK jobs market, here.
The Burning Glass Institute is a fully independent, nonprofit data laboratory that generates and mines novel datasets to construct innovative models, metrics, and benchmarks. Our insights boost economic mobility, drive worker and community prosperity, and bring new efficiency to how talent and opportunity connect. Signature initiatives include the American Opportunity Index, the Credential Value Index non-degree credential outcomes evaluation center, and the College Completion Initiative. See a selection of our recent reports here.
Gatsby Education champions a world-class education and skills system that drives opportunity for all young people, boosts productivity and growth, and supports a future-facing economy. We seek to align the skills people develop with those most needed across the economy through a stable system of high-quality technical education underpinned by occupational standards. Working with government, educators, employers, and partners, we deliver innovative projects and foster lasting collaborations, which help inform national policy. Our focus on systemic, long-term change – ensuring impact which endures beyond our direct involvement.
www.gatsby.org.uk/education
Download Mind the Technician Gap, our report on the technician talent pipeline, here.