Rising defence investment meets a critical talent shortage
Defence spending is climbing to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, yet over 10,000 STEM roles sit open. Investment alone can't deliver capability without people.
Skills in critical demand
The 2025 Strategic Defence Review described a worsening workforce crisis, with the skills mismatch estimated to cost the UK up to £120bn by 2030.
Systems Engineering
Underpins major programmes like GCAP and SSN-AUKUS — demand is very high and the experienced pool is shrinking.
FPGA & Hardware
Central to radar, EW and signal processing; a small UK pool contested by semiconductor, telecoms and fintech.
Cyber, Digital & Emerging Tech
CEMA, AI and autonomous systems — flagged as significant capability risk areas.
Craft & Manufacturing
Welders, electricians, naval architects and nuclear engineers — craft skills that take years to rebuild.
Project & Programme Delivery
Cleared professionals who can run complex, long-cycle defence programmes to time and budget.
Security-Cleared Talent
Clearance requirements shrink every pool — and cleared candidates are in constant demand.
The UK Defence Talent Report 2026
The full picture on defence hiring — where the shortages are, why people leave, and what leading employers are doing to win the talent war.
- Where the skills gaps are most acute in defence
- The real drivers behind retention — and how to fix them
- The investment and demand forces reshaping your headcount plan
- Practical strategies you can act on now
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