Do We Truly Care About the Skills Shortage? Insights from Thomas Flude

In the newest episode of Advanced Engineering Talks, host Jeremy sits down with Thomas Flude, Founder of Engineers Insight. Over the course of their conversation, Thomas challenges the industry to ask itself a simple yet uncomfortable question: “Do we really care about the skills shortfall, or merely pay lip service?”

A Question of Commitment

From the outset, Thomas points out that despite two decades of policy initiatives and industry pledges, vacancies in engineering and manufacturing remain stubbornly high. He recalls early warnings about the looming skills gap, only to find that “ambition on paper almost never translated into meaningful change.” In Thomas’s view, government-funded programmes and STEM campaigns often fizzled out once initial funding cycles ended, leaving educators and employers to pick up the pieces.

“We’ve had robotics workshops in schools and national careers fairs, but too often these are one-off events. If you don’t follow through, the excitement evaporates,” he explains.

By framing the skills shortage as a test of genuine commitment – rather than just good intentions – Thomas forces listeners to consider their own roles. For employers, it’s not enough to proclaim that apprenticeships are valuable; they must embed mentorship and structured training. For educators, it’s insufficient to display banners boasting an “Engineering Academy” if they cannot secure quality work placements.

Bridging Policy and Practice

Thomas describes a recurring scenario: a school signposts a state-funded “engineering stream,” yet struggles to offer consistent, hands-on learning. Conversely, local manufacturers lament that young recruits arrive lacking even basic workshop etiquette. This disconnect, he argues, stems from a fragmented ecosystem.

• Schools may adopt government-backed apprenticeships but lack the technical resources to sustain them.
• Employers occasionally host factory tours yet fail to pair students with dedicated mentors.
• Students and parents receive mixed messages: engineering is “high-value and in demand,” but clear, accessible pathways remain elusive.

“Policy documents talk about closing the gap, yet nobody holds anyone accountable for results,” Thomas notes. “Until we align incentives – so that schools, colleges and factories all invest equally in real outcomes- we’ll keep playing catch-up.”

The Power of Grassroots Action

Despite the challenges, Thomas shares several heartening examples of small-scale initiatives making a tangible difference. One Midlands-based workshop partners directly with a nearby college to run term-long, technician-led modules on CNC machining and quality control. Another local firm invites Year 10 pupils into its factory for a “taster week,” during which they programme a robot arm and inspect components under a microscope.

“When a young person sees the whirr of a lathe or the glow of a welding arc, everything changes. They start asking, ‘How can I learn this?’ instead of ‘Why would I bother?’,” Thomas enthuses.

These efforts, while currently isolated, demonstrate what can happen when individuals – be they engineers, teachers or employers – take responsibility. Thomas urges more companies to follow suit, emphasising that such collaboration builds trust and breaks down stereotypes around the “dirty” or “dangerous” aspects of engineering.

Moving from Passion to Persistence

By the episode’s close, Jeremy and Thomas agree that passion alone will not close the skills gap. Instead, they advocate a sustained, coordinated approach:

1. Year-Round Engagement – Employers should host school visits beyond the customary National Manufacturing Day, offering ongoing work-taster schemes or “engineer for a day” sessions.
2. Embedded Practical Learning – Schools and colleges must weave engineering modules into core curricula, supported by industry volunteers to bridge any technical shortfalls.
3. Clear Career Mapping – Students and parents need transparent, step-by-step career pathways that dispel outdated notions of engineering as a “last-resort” route.
4. Local Coalitions – Councils, colleges and manufacturers can pool resources for joint apprenticeships, funded training and centralised careers hubs.

“Every time someone declines to host a work placement or skips a careers talk, they’re part of the problem,” Thomas warns. “Real change demands accountability at every level.”

Tune In and Take Action

This episode of Advanced Engineering Talks is more than a diagnosis – it’s a call to arms. Whether you’re a manufacturing director, a careers advisor or a school leaver, Thomas Flude’s insights challenge you to ask: “What can I do differently?” If we’re to avoid repeating the same cycles, we need more than statements of intent. We need practical, hands-on commitment from every corner of the sector.

Discover how we’re helping to close the skills gap – find out more here.

Listen to Tom’s episode here.