Dyson seeks engineers but founder bemoans talent vacuum
5 September 2013
Engineering firm Dyson says it is looking to take on around 650 engineers of various level of seniority globally, although the firm’s founder has again expressed concern at the industry’s standing and long-time talent pipeline.
Thu, 5 Sep 2013Engineering firm Dyson says it is looking to take on around 650 engineers of various level of seniority globally, although the firm’s founder has again expressed concern at the industry’s standing and long-time talent pipeline.
Sir James Dyson tells the Daily Telegraph today that it will not struggle to “get all the workers we need in Singapore and Malaysia”, where 350 of the new roles will come.
However, he added: “But we have to be realistic in Britain. If we can get 300 we’ll be doing well. We would recruit 2,000 if we could.” The UK recruits will be based in the group’s Malmesbury, Wiltshire headquarters.
He previously spoke of confusion at the government’s “obsessions with Shoreditch’s so-called Silicon Roundabout”, saying he was concerned the “glamour of web fads” was turning tech talent away from his industry – something he was partially supported in by technical recruitment group Matchtech's managing director, Keith Lewis.
A third of all Dyson employees are engineers, and the new recruitment increases its engineering cohort by 45%. Categories the company is looking for new engineering recruits in include design, mechanical, electronics, software, acoustic, motors and research engineers.
The firm works with universities, and through the James Dyson Foundation engages with schools and universities to provide learning materials and engage young people on engineering opportunities.
Dyson would appear to be at least somewhat open to using recruitment agencies, as a spokesperson for the firm tells recruiter.co.uk that while “we generally do it [recruit] in-house” the firm does leave the possibility of other recruitment channels open.
Sir James claims that UK produces 12,000 engineering graduates a year, and that there are currently 54,000 vacancies in the sector.
Dyson’s announcement comes the same day the firm announces profits up 19% to £364m.
Sir James Dyson tells the Daily Telegraph today that it will not struggle to “get all the workers we need in Singapore and Malaysia”, where 350 of the new roles will come.
However, he added: “But we have to be realistic in Britain. If we can get 300 we’ll be doing well. We would recruit 2,000 if we could.” The UK recruits will be based in the group’s Malmesbury, Wiltshire headquarters.
He previously spoke of confusion at the government’s “obsessions with Shoreditch’s so-called Silicon Roundabout”, saying he was concerned the “glamour of web fads” was turning tech talent away from his industry – something he was partially supported in by technical recruitment group Matchtech's managing director, Keith Lewis.
A third of all Dyson employees are engineers, and the new recruitment increases its engineering cohort by 45%. Categories the company is looking for new engineering recruits in include design, mechanical, electronics, software, acoustic, motors and research engineers.
The firm works with universities, and through the James Dyson Foundation engages with schools and universities to provide learning materials and engage young people on engineering opportunities.
Dyson would appear to be at least somewhat open to using recruitment agencies, as a spokesperson for the firm tells recruiter.co.uk that while “we generally do it [recruit] in-house” the firm does leave the possibility of other recruitment channels open.
Sir James claims that UK produces 12,000 engineering graduates a year, and that there are currently 54,000 vacancies in the sector.
Dyson’s announcement comes the same day the firm announces profits up 19% to £364m.
- Click for more on engineering recruitment news and trends from recruiter.co.uk, or for an interview from the firm’s chief executive officer in the Financial Times last month, in which he says what he has learnt in business is that “the best you can do is hire a lot of smart young people, give them a lot of responsibility and they're going to grow on it.”
