It’s been a busy few months in the UK engineering world — with plenty of challenges and some exciting opportunities too. Here’s what’s caught our eye at IJB Engineering, and what we think it means for our industry.

Construction slowdown

The latest figures show UK construction is having a tough time, with output falling at the fastest rate in five years. Civil engineering and housing projects have been hit hardest as costs stay high and confidence drops.

Our take:
We’ve definitely noticed projects taking longer to get going, but that just makes reliability and quality even more important. We believe firms that stay consistent and deliver on time will stand out when the market picks back up.

New focus on “engineering biology”

The government’s talking a lot about engineering biology – using science and engineering together to make materials, fuels and food in new sustainable ways.

Our take:
It’s great to see innovation getting real backing. While it’s not our core field, new technology like this always filters through – from greener materials to smarter production. The future of engineering will definitely be more sustainable and creative.

Clean energy and new talent

There’s also a big push to bring military veterans into clean energy jobs. With renewables growing fast, there’s demand for practical, skilled people to make it happen.

Our take:
We love seeing more people getting into engineering, especially from hands-on backgrounds. The skills and discipline veterans bring are a perfect match for our industry.

Engineering meets AI

The UK government is even teaming up with Meta to get engineers building digital tools for public projects. AI and automation are already starting to change the way sites are managed and designed.

Our take:
Technology’s moving fast, and we’re keeping an eye on how digital tools can make engineering safer, smarter and more efficient. It’s about using tech to support good people and solid workmanship — not replace them.