Demand for skilled people in UK manufacturing is strong, and defence-linked work is a big part of the story. MOD expenditure with industry supported a total of 272,000 direct jobs in 2023/24, an increase of 11% compared to the previous financial year MOD supported employment estimates 2023/24 - GOV.UK. That builds on earlier momentum: MOD-supported UK jobs reached 239,000 in 2022/23, an increase of 6% on the previous year MOD supported employment estimates 2022/23 - GOV.UK.
Fresh investment keeps the pipeline moving. More than 1,700 new jobs are being created across the UK defence sector following at least £1.4 billion in foreign direct investment committed since July 2024 Defence dividend delivers thousands of UK jobs following exceptional foreign investment - GOV.UK. Recruitment appetite was already climbing, with surveyed recruitment in the defence sector growing by 17.8% in 2022 Defence sector continues contributing significantly to UK economy - GOV.UK. For shipbuilding and the supply chains around it, that means more roles to fill and tighter competition for talent.
The roles reshaping production hiring sit across skilled trades, engineering and technical specialisms: welders, fabricators, platers, electricians, systems engineers and project managers. The hard part is finding them. In 2025 there were 55,000 unfilled long-term vacancies in UK manufacturing, costing the economy £6bn in lost output every year Make UK – Industrial Strategy Skills Commission Report 2025.
Engineering talent is especially stretched. Some 76% of engineering employers struggle to recruit for key roles, with technical and specialist sustainability skills topping the list Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Manufacturers feel it too: their top barriers to growth are skills shortages (75%), recruitment (36%) and talent retention (32%) Barclays Corporate – Skills shortage in UK Manufacturing. When shipbuilding orders rise, these are the gaps that decide whether a yard can scale.
Start with speed and clarity. The roles in shortest supply go quickly, so a tight job brief and a short, well-run interview process help you reach skilled people before competitors do. With skills shortages named as the top barrier to growth by 75% of manufacturers Barclays Corporate – Skills shortage in UK Manufacturing, every day a vacancy stays open is output you can't recover.
Widen the net, then narrow it well. Look beyond people already in defence or shipbuilding: welders, fabricators and electricians from construction, energy and wider engineering can transfer in with the right support. Because 76% of engineering employers struggle to recruit for key roles Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), transferable skills and strong onboarding often matter more than an exact job-title match. Pair that with retention from day one, since 32% of manufacturers cite talent retention as a barrier to growth Barclays Corporate – Skills shortage in UK Manufacturing.
When shipbuilding demand lifts and you need skilled people fast, we help you move. We search 15 million candidates to find the right person for your production or engineering role, and we manage recruitment end to end. Our recruitment agent manages recruitment end to end for 8% on a successful hire, with no monthly fee and no upfront cost. If you're hiring in manufacturing now, let Reed.ai build your shortlist so you can focus on getting the work out of the door.
