Finding the skills: Solutions for engineering and technology companies in the North West and beyond

Are you looking to work in engineering for a company with global reach and local impact?

Forward-thinking global engineering, technology and consulting service provider Expleo is bridging the skills gap for excellence in engineering – developing talent through apprenticeships, cross-skilling and training in the North West and helping more women into the industry.

Expleo has a proven track record working with some of the largest engineering companies in the world, helping them find the right solutions to fulfil their ambitions and future-proof their businesses.

With a worldwide footprint across 30 countries, Expleo is a global company with local presence. It can call on 15,000 highly-skilled experts to help deliver goals and, as a responsible and diverse organisation, pledges to do business with integrity and work towards a more sustainable and secure society.

The company also invests in the future and is looking to develop engineering talent in the North West through apprenticeships, cross-skilling and training.

This company offers global reach in engineering and technology and local solutions right here in the North West

For more than four decades, Expleo has helped businesses to drive their efficiency and competitive edge in fast-paced markets – supporting operational excellence in the engineering sector and business transformation services for multiple industries, including financial services and energy and utilities.

Its expertise in engineering extends across systems engineering, embedded software systems, product design and more. In business transformation, Expleo offers a range of services, from business agility to hyper-automation and hydrogen energy solutions to cybersecurity.

Meet the MD

Jeff Hoyle, Managing Director UK and Executive Vice President of Global Aero, Space and Defence at Expleo Group, says there is a skills gap in engineering – but it can be bridged.

“To put it in simple terms, nearly half of engineering companies don’t have the skills they need and can’t find them either,” he says.

Digital technology is changing the industry constantly, but, says Jeff: “Digital isn’t a silver bullet. There will always be a place for good old-fashioned engineering excellence. What we need to do is provide the engineers of today with the skills they need tomorrow; ones that complement what they know today and add extra depth rather than replace them.

“If a supplier could not supply all the materials you needed, then you’d look elsewhere – and it’s the same with people. One of the first things is to encourage more women into engineering and aerospace engineering.

“Today, women represent just 16.5% of engineers in the UK but 51% of the population,” he says. “There is a huge untapped pool of young, talented individuals from diverse ethnic, social and cultural backgrounds. Shedding the stuffy, sometimes old-fashioned reputation aerospace can have and focusing on the fact that it is a varied industry that is as rewarding as it is challenging is the place to start. It will be a gradual process, but it is a necessity.

“The other answer is to look outside of aerospace and see where the skills needed are. Our industry doesn’t exist in a bubble and there is a wealth of complementary expertise in parallel industries. Cross-fertilising the existing talent pool with these people not only helps alleviate the skills gap but brings in fresh ideas and thinking.”

Training to stay at the top of its game

This is why Expleo consistently trains and upskills its workforce through its own programmes.

Whether taking the first steps in a new career, an experienced professional or somewhere in between, Expleo provides learning programmes and courses to ensure all its employees have the tools required to stay at the top of their game. It also invests in the next generation of talent through Apprenticeship Schemes in its Marine business, which directly benefits young people in the North West. The programme, which is aligned to the Engineering College in Birkenhead, is delivered out of Expleo’s Preston office and offers career development to more than 20 new entrants each year.

Get in touch with Expleo

Become part of an environment that will help you to grow your skills, maximise your potential and build the career you want – where you can be everything you are, anything you want to be.

Wherever you are in your career, take up new challenges and explore new opportunities with the support of a team behind you. Learn more about early careers and opportunities for experienced professionals at Expleo, with a diverse range of roles available across engineering, technology and consulting in the North West and the UK.

For more information or to get in touch see https://expleo.com/global/en/careers/ or search ‘Expleo careers’