Sector Overview
The aerospace sector covers the manufacture of aircraft and
spacecraft and their maintenance, repair and overhaul.
Companies dealing with maintenance, repair and overhaul are very
diverse. They range from small specialist workshops to large
international companies looking at the design, manufacture and
maintenance of integrated systems.
Key facts
- The UK’s aerospace and defence industries are key players in
world markets. They make a major contribution to the UK
economy through manufacturing and research into new
technologies.
- The UK has a strong aerospace research and development base
with particular expertise in aerodynamics. This allows the UK
to play a leading role in wing, engine, weapon and rotor design
within international consortia.
- The UK aerospace industry has over 700 workplaces, with up to
400 maintenance, repair and overhaul sites.
- Over half of all establishments employ fewer than five
people.
- Over two thirds of total employment is found on sites which
employ more than 500 people.
- Aerospace accounts for just under 0.4% of UK employment.
- The aerospace industry has a tradition of high-level skills
requirement: over 30% of employees are educated to degree standard
or equivalent; more than 11% are involved in research and
development.
Future outlook
The aerospace industry is at the forefront in developing new
technologies including:
- Replacement of pneumatic and hydraulic systems with electrical
equivalents
- Fly-by-wire and optical fibre technology
- Blended wing body
- Unmanned Arial Vehicles (UAVs)
The demand for 800-seater airliners, next generation space
shuttles and stealth aircraft will ensure that technology continues
to develop.
The industry’s pursuit of Process Excellence is set to increase
productivity and maintain the position of UK aerospace within the
global supply chain.
Process Excellence is a system for improving the way a company
operates. It is applied across the whole product lifecycle
from initial concept, through to design, development,
manufacturing, service and maintenance. This practice will
make a significant contribution to growth and innovation.
People and skills
As automated manufacturing and other new technologies emerge,
aerospace companies will need a larger proportion of their
workforce to have higher-level skills.
The focus will be on skills for innovation and new product
delivery. There will be more demand for professional engineers and
technicians. The supply of young people will be insufficient to
meet skills needs.
Employers will need to upskill and develop those already in the
workforce and redeploy them to best utilise their skills.