Closing the engineering skills gap: Powering innovation through upskilling
Engineers bring together scientific, creative and problem-solving skills in a vast range of sectors and are at the forefront of solving business challenges such as pioneering green technologies and developing vital infrastructure.
But attracting, recruiting and retaining ready-made engineering professionals is a huge problem for many organisations – with high recruitment costs and barriers causing project delays, threatening productivity and restricting business growth.
This means employers need to explore new ways to bring new talent into engineering roles and provide opportunities for those with untapped potential. And The Open University can help.
Start building future-ready engineering teams:
of manufacturers report that recruiting and retaining skilled engineers is a barrier to growth
cite skills shortages as the top challenge facing their operations
are investing in reskilling to bridge engineering capability gaps
Source: The Manufacturer and Barclays, 'Now hiring: Understanding and tackling the skills shortage in UK manufacturing'
How the OU supports engineering employers
The Open University provides a flexible way to address these skills shortages in an inclusive way. Our tutor-supported online learning gives can help bring new, young talent into the business and gain an engineering qualification around their role. Furthermore, our programmes can work for existing staff looking to upskill and reskill. The flexibility of our courses can help to widen participation and enable underrepresented groups such as women, people with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds to enter the engineering workforce.
Our qualifications are designed for busy professionals and built to address sector-specific challenges in:
- Mechanical and Civil Engineering
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Chemical and Environmental Engineering
- Aerospace and Marine Engineering
- Defence Engineering
- Biomedical and Health Engineering
From degree apprenticeships to flexible modular training, we partner with employers to bridge the engineering skills gap and build a future-ready workforce.
Let’s identify the right approach for your organisation — one that delivers real, measurable impact.
The Open University has been great in terms of those that haven't been in education for a while. We see The Open University as a partner in our long-term learning strategy. We think they can help us develop those all the way up from apprentice level to director.
Jordan Stuart
Engineering Training Academy Manager at Biffa
Free online engineering courses
OpenLearn offers free, bite-sized courses designed to support foundational and professional engineering skills. Popular examples include:
Note: Course links will open in a new tab.
Introducing engineering
Discover the fundamentals of design, manufacturing, systems, and energy – a perfect foundation for engineering pathways.
Assessing risk in engineering, work and life
Understand the concept of risk, learn how accidents occur, conduct a basic risk assessment and utilise probability to reduce undesirable outcomes.
Everyday maths
Refresh your team’s essential numeracy skills for technical roles.
Explore more free engineering courses
Explore more free science, maths and technology courses
Engineering degrees and professional qualifications
Our flexible qualifications are designed for professionals in technical, supervisory, and leadership roles. Many have no formal entry requirements, making them ideal for upskilling and career progression.
Note: Course links in this section will open in a new tab.
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
Degrees and individual modules
This engineering qualification prepares you for Incorporated and Chartered Engineer status while developing essential skills through collaborative and individual project work.
- Accredited on behalf of the Engineering Council
- Supports progression toward Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status
- Choose from a broad engineering route and six specialist routes
- Delivered flexibly, with strong employer relevance
BSc (Honours) Computing with Electronic Engineering
Degrees and individual modules
A hybrid programme ideal for roles bridging IT and electronics in sectors such as defence, aerospace, and automation.
- Hands-on learning via our award-winning OpenSTEM Labs
- Prepares learners for multidisciplinary challenges in embedded systems and smart tech
Master of Engineering
Postgraduate degree
Our Master of Engineering (MEng) program fulfills the academic requirements for Chartered Engineer status, equipping graduates with a competitive edge in the engineering profession.
- Gain advanced skills, practical techniques, and in-depth knowledge essential for success as a professional engineer
- Follow a broad engineering route or select a specialist path tailored to your requirements
- Undertake real-world projects, deliver innovative solutions and practice both collaborative and independent work
- Accredited by a number of professional bodies
Explore the full range of engineering courses
Engineering success story: Biffa
Find out how Biffa and the OU are tackling the engineering skills gap, offering flexible education that empowers employees to progress their careers and drive innovation.
Explore the School of STEM
We are world leaders in inclusive, innovative and impactful STEM teaching and research. Through collaboration with a wide range of partners we drive innovation, shape policy and practice throughout the UK and around the world.
Our engineering students
of OU engineering students are employed**
are studying specifically to advance their careers**
said that OU teaching staff were skilled at explaining content***
Our engineers work in an extremely busy environment, so having that flexibility is really important for us as a business. They're able to complete the online modules and then get straight back into work, so great for everyone.
Jordan Stuart
Engineering Training Academy Manager at Biffa
Watch our on-demand engineering webinar
From crisis to capability: Can flexible education solve the engineering skills gap?
Discover actionable insights from industry experts in our on-demand engineering webinar and learn how organisations are building the skills of the future.
Why choose the OU?
With over 50 years of experience, The Open University is a leader in providing flexible, high-quality education and training solutions to a wide range of sectors. We’ve empowered over 2.3 million learners, including numerous tech companies, engineering firms, and research organisations.
- Engineering-focused education: Built in consultation with sector leaders.
- Proven expertise: 50+ years of delivering flexible, high-quality education.
- Proven flexibility: Online, work-based and part-time formats.
- Trusted by leading employers: Employers across the UK rely on us to address workforce development challenges.
Strengthen your engineering workforce: Next steps
Find out how we can support your organisation
The OU can help you design bespoke upskilling solutions, access accredited qualifications, and support employee development across your engineering teams.
Close the engineering gap. Build future-ready capability. Invest in your people.
* The UK's STEM skills shortage costs employers an estimated £1.5billion a year in additional training costs, recruitment, temporary staffing and inflated salaries. Read more.
** Student feedback, 2025.
*** NSS, 2025.
