Engineering firms forced to get flexible to plug skills gap - 26 June 2008
It is hard to imagine Victorian super-engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel asking for time off to look after his kids during the school holidays. That was a different era, when engineers were feted as celebrities.
Now UK firms are finding it so hard to attract staff 63% of those spoken to in an industry survey said flexible working is now a fact of life.
The report, by the UK’s biggest engineering consultancy firm, Atkins, said almost half (48%) were now offering flexi-hours, and 40% allowing home-working. Holiday entitlements can also be generous, with some firms allowing up to 40 days annual leave.
Atkins’ group HR director, Alun Griffiths, said in an industry where resources are scarce and expectations from professional people are evolving, the changes were necessary in order for companies to compete.
He said: “In the engineering and design sectors, the problem of skills shortages is very well documented and it is essential that we look to keep hold of as much of the talent we have nurtured as we possibly can.
“Women, in particular, often feel they have to choose between having a family or progressing in their careers, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Our survey suggests companies are beginning to see the importance of offering flexible working but I think we still have a long way to go to make sure people have a genuine choice. This means not just being able to find a role for flexible workers, but giving them real opportunities for career development at the same time.”
The skills gap in engineering and architecture has been growing over the past few decades – mainly because students are shying away from maths and science-based courses. This has had a serious impact on the industry, with particular shortages reported in the defence, nuclear and highways sectors.
Anne Kemp, a director and department head at Atkins, has worked part-time, reduced hours and is now doing term-time only. Her working patterns have continually changed to fit in with her growing family.
“With two-way flexibility, I have been able to fulfil my role in the business and grow the team whilst managing a busy family life too
“My biggest challenge is making sure that I do what I am supposed to be doing at the right time, and then stay focused – particularly when I am with the family. In these days of hi-tech communication, it is very easy to pick up emails and get drawn into work issues when I am meant to be ‘at home with the kids’. Flexible working is all about give and take.”
Eight percent of companies questioned were offering term-time working – with not just women benefiting. However, the built environment sector still lags behind others, according to Atkins’ survey, with an all-sector average of 22%.
Alun Griffiths says the sector must catch up, but admitted flexible working can’t work in every situation.
“We’re on a learning curve and it’s important we don’t swap one kind of inflexibility with another, which means both employer and employee have to understand and accept the needs of each other. If we can make it work, our experience has shown it is worth the effort.”
Other top line findings from the research show:
•55% of built environment sector companies (engineering, construction and architecture firms) say flexible working is an important benefit in order to attract and retain staff.
•A further 28% agreed that flexible working is an increasingly important benefit to attract and retain staff, while 16% felt it wasn’t important to the built environment sector.
•88% of built environment companies said that they offer or are planning to offer specific career development support for flexible workers.
•65% of companies in the built environment sector said accommodating flexible working is not challenging or only slightly challenging, similar to the all-sector average of 68%.
•Only 6% of those from all-sectors found flexible working very challenging to accommodate in their business environment, compared to 17% of the built environment who found it very challenging to accommodate.
ENDS
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NOTES TO EDITORS:
Atkins is a multinational engineering and design consultancy, providing expertise to help resolve complex challenges presented by the built and natural environment. Atkins is the largest multidisciplinary consultancy in Europe; the largest engineering consultancy in the UK; and the world’s fifth largest design firm.
Atkins won Engineering Consultant of the Year 2008 at the prestigious Building Awards. The company was named among the “20 Best Big Companies to Work For 2008’ by The Sunday Times; The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers 2007; and The Times Top 50 Companies Where Women Want to Work 2007. The company was construction sector winner for the third consecutive year in the Target National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2008.