UK Require Workers in Technology, Engineering, Telecom, and Various Sectors (Report by Dept of Education)
Are you a tech professional eyeing the UK as your next career destination? Here’s your golden signal.
The UK’s Department for Education, through its new Skills England initiative, has just released its June 2025 Sector Skills Needs Assessment—and the message is crystal clear: the UK is urgently hunting for skilled global workers in its booming digital and technology sectors.
From AI to quantum, cybersecurity to semiconductors, the UK is building its future economy on the back of tech innovation—and you could be part of it.
What’s Driving the Demand?
The UK’s industrial future is centered around eight growth-driving sectors, with digital and technology at the core. In 2024 alone, these sectors employed around 4 million people, and projections suggest an increase of 380,000 new jobs by 2035.
But there’s a catch: the demand for talent is outpacing the supply, and that’s where international skilled professionals come in.
Top Priority Occupations – Are You on the List?
UK tech employers are actively struggling to fill roles in these high-priority areas:
- Telecommunications Engineers – 75% skill shortage
- Design & Development Engineers – 58%
- Routine Inspectors & Testers – 54%
- Electrical Engineers – 54%
- Engineering Professionals (not elsewhere classified) – 52%
Key Insight: Many AI and engineering startups say they cannot scale due to lack of talent, especially in machine learning, user experience design, big data, biomedical AI, and data architecture.
⚛ Quantum & AI: UK’s Future Frontier, Your Opportunity
As the UK races to lead global innovation, Quantum Technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have emerged as two of the most promising and high-demand sectors for skilled professionals worldwide.
In Quantum Technologies, around 20,000 individuals are already employed across the UK, contributing to an impressive £93,000 Gross Value Added (GVA) per job, which is 33% higher than the national average. Roles in this domain—such as quantum engineers, lab technicians, and technician scientists—are expanding quickly and are now more accessible. Not all roles require a PhD; many are now open to those with apprenticeships, technical diplomas, or relevant hands-on training, making it a strong entry point for early-career and mid-skilled international applicants.
Meanwhile, AI jobs are growing at more than double the rate of other sectors up to 2035. Despite this explosive growth, 36% of AI-related vacancies remain unfilled due to skill shortages. Even more striking, 26% of AI companies say a lack of technical talent is directly holding back their business goals. While 37% of AI roles require a PhD, many employers prioritize skills (like Python, machine learning, NLP, and robotics) over years of experience. In fact, two-thirds of UK AI job adverts ask for under three years of experience. AI professionals in the UK also enjoy a 14% wage premium, offering a strong financial incentive for global talent.
Table Format: Quantum & AI Sector Skills Gap Highlights
| Category | Quantum Technologies | Artificial Intelligence (AI) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Workforce | 20,000 employed in UK quantum industry | AI roles growing 2x faster than other sectors by 2035 |
| Economic Value | £93,000 GVA per job (33% above UK average) | 14% wage premium for AI-related roles |
| Skills Gap | High demand for mid-skilled roles via apprenticeships | 36% of AI vacancies unfilled due to skill shortages |
| Talent Bottleneck | SMEs need support for quantum apprenticeships | 26% of AI firms can’t meet business goals due to lack of talent |
| In-Demand Jobs | Quantum engineers, lab & technician scientists | Python developers, ML/NLP experts, AI project leaders |
| Entry Pathways | Apprenticeships, diplomas, hands-on lab experience | Skills valued over experience; 2/3 job ads ask for <3 years exp. |
| Education Requirement | Open to mid-skilled entrants | 37% roles require a PhD, but many accept skilled graduates |
Why International Talent is Vital for UK?
The UK needs skilled workers in highlighted sectors as per this report published by British department of education and here’s why:
- 7.3 million UK adults lack essential digital skills
- Just 25% of tech workforce are women; only 9% from lower socio-economic backgrounds
- Small and mid-sized companies (SMEs), which make up 99% of UK businesses, need flexible global professionals for short and mid-level roles.
Education & Training Pathways in UK That Lead to Jobs in 2025
Want to retrain or pivot into UK’s tech economy? Here’s how:
- Apprenticeships in ICT, engineering, AI, and cybersecurity
- T Levels & HTQs (Higher Technical Qualifications)
- Skills Bootcamps – 61% of current bootcamps are digital-focused
- AI Scholarships & Modular Courses designed for career changers and international learners
Flexible, pay-as-you-go, and online training models are now being scaled across the UK—ideal for migrants and career switchers.
Who Should Apply for UK Jobs Now?
If you are a:
- Software Developer / AI Specialist / Quantum Engineer
- Telecom or Electrical Engineer
- Data Architect or Machine Learning Researcher
- Cybersecurity Expert or Robotics Professional
- Graduate in Computer Science, Engineering, or Physics.
Ready toMove? Secure a UK Skilled Worker Visa
With eligible tech roles listed on the UK Shortage Occupation List, foreign applicants can benefit from:
- Lower salary thresholds
- Faster visa processing
- Long-term residence and family sponsorship options.
References
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