Four decades of engineering excellence
As we celebrated four decades of engineering excellence, we’re looking forward with a commitment that reflects both the scale of the challenge facing our industry and the responsibility we feel to address it.
At our 40th birthday party at Hill Dickinson Stadium last week, we announced our pledge to train 40 new engineering apprentice and trainee engineers over the next decade – a substantial investment in the future of our profession and the communities we serve.
The challenge we’re facing
The numbers tell a stark story. The Royal Academy of Engineering warns that the UK faces a shortage of up to 1.5 million engineers by 2030. More immediately, ECITB data shows 91,000 engineers – representing 19% of the current workforce – are approaching retirement by 2026.
This isn’t an abstract problem. It’s a fundamental threat to our ability to deliver the homes and infrastructure our communities desperately need. The Government’s ambition to deliver 1.5 million new homes is at risk of being undermined by a critical shortage of engineering capacity.
At the same time, financial barriers are growing. Four-year university engineering degrees now cost up to £89,000, creating significant obstacles for talented individuals who want to enter our profession.
Our track record in developing talent
Throughout our 40-year history, we’ve maintained a strong commitment to developing new talent. Look around our offices in Liverpool, Manchester, North Wales, London and the Midlands, and you’ll see the evidence: a significant proportion of our team began their careers with Sutcliffe.
Some of our most senior engineers today started their journey with us as apprentices or graduates. They’re now leading complex projects across the UK, making critical decisions, and mentoring the next wave of talent. This progression isn’t accidental – it’s the result of comprehensive apprenticeship programmes, graduate development schemes, and mentoring initiatives that have been refined over four decades.
Why this matters
“The construction industry I joined over four decades ago is facing an unprecedented challenge,” explains Sean Keyes, our CEO. “We’re looking at a skills crisis where nearly one in five engineers will retire just as demand for engineering expertise is set to surge by 28%. This isn’t simply an industry issue – it’s a fundamental threat to our ability to deliver the homes and infrastructure our communities desperately need.”
The ripple effects of this skills shortage will be felt across every sector we serve – from housing and education to healthcare and commercial development. Without a pipeline of skilled engineers, projects will be delayed, costs will rise, and communities will miss out on essential infrastructure.
Taking responsibility
We’re not waiting for others to act. Our commitment to train 40 new engineers over the next decade isn’t just about securing Sutcliffe’s future – it’s about ensuring our industry has the skilled professionals needed to tackle the challenges ahead.
“At Sutcliffe, we take pride in nurturing talent from the ground up,” says Sean. “Our commitment to train 40 new engineers over the next decade isn’t just about securing our own future – it’s about ensuring our industry has the skilled professionals needed to tackle the challenges ahead.”
This initiative will build on our proven track record, offering opportunities through apprenticeships, graduate schemes, and structured career development. We’ll continue to invest in mentoring, training, and creating pathways into engineering for talented individuals who might otherwise face financial barriers to entering the profession.
Looking ahead
The young engineers we train now will be the ones solving tomorrow’s challenges. They’ll be designing the sustainable buildings, innovative structures, and resilient infrastructure that future communities depend on. They’ll be pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in civil and structural engineering, using technologies and techniques we’re only beginning to imagine.
“We’re determined to give them every opportunity to excel and lead the way forward,” Sean adds. “We have a responsibility to pass on our knowledge to the next generation.”
As we mark our 40th anniversary with celebrations at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium in Bramley Moore on October 8th, this commitment represents more than a milestone – it’s a promise to the next generation and the communities we serve.
The built environment we’re creating today will be inherited by these young engineers. It’s our responsibility to ensure they have the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to make it even better.
Interested in starting your engineering career with Sutcliffe? Visit our careers page or contact us to learn more about our apprenticeship and graduate opportunities.
