Looking to move to UK? Find here list of degrees that helps moving easier for Indian students

By A Staff Reporter

LONDON June 11: There is a job shortage experienced across multiple sectors in the UK. The UK unemployment rate is currently at a record low of 3.8%, which means that there are more job vacancies than there are unemployed people.

In response to the substantial job shortage experienced across multiple sectors in the UK, which presents a dual challenge for both the economy and the workforce, Erudera.com, an AI-backed search platform, has created a list of academic degrees that could help tackle this issue.

Here’s a brief insight into academic degrees associated with job shortages:

Healthcare-Related Degrees

Healthcare degrees in the UK offer promising career prospects, particularly in nursing, general practice, and healthcare assistance. The demand for professionals in these areas is consistently high within the country’s healthcare industry.

Recent NHS Vacancy Statistics data from March 2022 reveals a significant shortage of doctors in the UK, with approximately one in every 17 doctors’ posts remaining vacant (a total of 5.8% unfilled vacancies).

According to National Careers Service, jobs in this sector will have an estimated 6.2% job growth by 2027, leading to 4,300 new jobs. With 48.5% of the workforce projected to retire during the same period, a total of 33,400 vacancies will be available.

Professionals employed within this sector typically possess a bachelor’s degree with honors (BA/BSc), a degree apprenticeship, a graduate diploma, or a level 6 NVQ qualification.

Engineering Degrees

The engineering field in the UK is experiencing a significant shortage of skilled professionals, resulting in an extensive surplus of job vacancies exceeding 173,000. This shortage has been estimated to have a considerable economic impact, costing the UK economy approximately £1.5 billion annually, a STEM Learning study suggests.

A substantial proportion of the UK’s working population, around 18%, is currently employed in engineering roles. Furthermore, engineering jobs comprise at least 15% of the working population in every region across the country.

By 2027, there is a predicted growth of 4.2% in the Mechanical Engineering sector, resulting in roughly 3,800 employment prospects. During the same period, an estimated 39.6% of the current workforce is expected to retire, leading to around 36,000 vacant positions being available (source: National Careers Service).

Research shows that the number of engineers in the United Kingdom has witnessed notable growth over the years. From an estimated 452,800 in 2010 to an estimated 531,700 individuals working in engineering in 2022 — an increase of approximately 78,900.

Science Degrees (Biological Scientists and Biochemists)

The growing number of job openings in this sector presents an exciting prospect for aspiring scientists to contribute to this field in the United Kingdom.

There is a projected job growth of 4.2% in this particular sector by 2027, creating approximately 4,500 new employment opportunities. Within the same timeframe, it is expected that 39.6% of the existing workforce will retire, leading to a substantial total of 42,600 vacancies becoming available (source: National Careers Service).

Research shows that the field of science, particularly biological sciences, and biochemistry, has witnessed steady employment growth. In 2021, around 95,800 individuals were employed in these roles, a notable increase from the 91,800 recorded in 2010.

Architecture Degrees

The regions with the highest concentration of opportunities in the field of architecture are London and the South East (England). These areas offer the most favorable prospects for architects seeking employment.

The sector is expected to experience a 4.3% increase in job opportunities by 2027, resulting in around 2,900 new employment prospects. During the same period, it is estimated that 55.3% of the current workforce will retire, leading to a significant total of 37,700 vacancies opening up (source: National Careers Service).

The distribution of architects across the UK is not balanced, with half of all architects being based in London and the South East, compared to 27% of the UK population, according to ARB.

At the same time, is an underrepresentation of women in the architecture profession, with only 31% of architects being female.

Some of the biggest employers of architects belong to industries like architectural & related (an employment of 50,966), followed by services to buildings (4,540), membership organizations (3,944), specialized construction (3,111), and construction (1,175).

To register as an architect in the UK, individuals with qualifications from outside the European Union or non-recognized UK qualifications must successfully complete the ARB’s Examination for Equivalence to Prescribed Qualifications, commonly referred to as the ‘Prescribed Examination.’

Computer Science Degrees

The field of computer science in the UK is expected to grow, particularly in the areas of programming and software development. It is projected that by 2027, there will be a surge in demand, creating approximately 12,500 new job openings (a 4.2% job growth).

In addition, it is estimated that 39.6% of the workforce will enter retirement by 2027, generating around 118,900 job opportunities (source: National Careers Service).

When it comes to employment opportunities, the biggest employers in this field are Computer Programming, Legal and Accounting, and Head Offices. These sectors provide significant employment prospects for individuals with computer science degrees.

London stands out as the region offering the most opportunities for programmers and software developers in the UK. The capital city provides a vibrant hub for those seeking careers in this field, with a wide array of exciting job prospects.

According to official data, Indian nationals emerged as the top nationality receiving long-term sponsored work visas in 2022, accounting for 36% of the total, Erudera.com reveals.

Why is there such a huge number of job shortages in UK? This is due to a number of factors, including:

Brexit: The UK’s decision to leave the European Union has made it more difficult for businesses to recruit skilled workers from the EU.
The aging population: The UK population is aging, which means that there is a growing demand for healthcare and social care workers.
The rise of technology: The rise of technology has led to the creation of new jobs in sectors such as IT and engineering, but it has also led to the automation of some jobs in other sectors, such as manufacturing.
The job shortage is most acute in sectors such as:

Healthcare: The UK healthcare sector is facing a severe shortage of nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals.
Social care: The UK social care sector is also facing a severe shortage of care workers.
Construction: The UK construction sector is facing a shortage of skilled workers, such as bricklayers, carpenters, and electricians.
IT: The UK IT sector is facing a shortage of skilled workers, such as software developers, data analysts, and cybersecurity specialists.

The job shortage is having a number of negative consequences for the UK economy, including:

Lower productivity: Businesses are struggling to find the workers they need to produce goods and services, which is leading to lower productivity.
Higher wages: Businesses are having to pay higher wages to attract and retain workers, which is increasing their costs.
Slower economic growth: The job shortage is one of the factors that is contributing to slower economic growth in the UK.

The UK government is taking a number of steps to address the job shortage, including:

Investing in skills training: The government is investing in skills training to help people develop the skills they need to get the jobs they want.
Making it easier for businesses to recruit skilled workers from outside the EU: The government is making it easier for businesses to recruit skilled workers from outside the EU by reducing the number of bureaucratic hurdles they need to jump through.
Supporting businesses to invest in automation: The government is supporting businesses to invest in automation to help them to overcome the shortage of skilled workers.
The job shortage is a complex issue, and there is no easy solution. However, the government’s actions are helping to address the problem and are helping to create a more skilled and productive workforce.