Is UK electronics on the up? An NMI survey seems to think so

The NMI survey – conducted amongst an unpublished number of member companies – showed 57% of respondents are recruiting, 44% are planning to give pay rises and 71% plan to recruit graduates in the coming 12 months. The survey also showed staff turnover is increasing. In its 2013 survey, NMI found turnover averaged 5%; this year, that figure grew to 18%. Whilst we welcome the positive message conveyed by the results – particularly the suggestion that more staff will be needed – the NMI survey poses more questions than it answers, particularly when it comes to graduates. When New Electronics conducted a survey amongst its readership last year, we asked respondents to tell us what they thought was the biggest issue facing the industry and the biggest issue facing the respondent's company? We didn't offer boxes to tick; it was free text. The main themes of answers to the industry question were: finding the next generation of engineers; and meeting current skill requirements. The biggest issues facing companies included: a lack of suitable engineers; and a lack of graduates. This view was echoed last year by the UK Electronics Skills Foundation, which said: "The problem from the employer's perspective was – and still is – they can't source enough quality graduates." Yet NMI's survey found that 57% of respondents had recruited a graduate in the last 12 months. New Electronics hopes these were 'real' engineering jobs and that the soon-to-be-recruited graduates will also be engineers. The broad conclusion that can be drawn is that because electronics companies have more confidence in the economy, they are recruiting and paying more. And that's good news in itself.