The centre of the UK engineering industry is moving south from its traditional base in the Midlands.

That's according to research from technical staffing company Wynnwith. It says demand for Research and Design (R&D) engineers is outstripping demand for those in manufacturing.

About 41% of new engineering jobs are based in London or the south east, says Wynnwith, and R&D and design engineers make up the biggest new job category (40%). Only 14% of new engineering jobs are based in the Midlands, the UK's historic engineering centre.

Steve Howard, director at Wynnwith, said: “Whereas job creation in the past was principally driven by the production side, the primary motor of growth is now in design and consultancy work.”

Wynnwith says its research is proof that the UK engineering sector is moving up the value chain by shifting its focus to design and consultancy work as low-cost overseas markets, such as China and South East Asian countries, expand their manufacturing bases.