UK needs 120,000 extra technicians by 2035

27 March 2026

The Technical Skills Landscape in the Digital and Technologies sector report projects that up to 120,000 extra technical professionals may be needed by 2035 to match growth in the UK’s Digital and Technologies sector.  

New insights reveal ‘widespread’ and ‘persistent’ technical skills shortages in the following industries:

• Advanced Connectivity Technologies (ACT)
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) 
• Cyber Security
• Engineering Biology
• Quantum Technologies
• Semiconductors. 

These six high-growth industries are part of the Government’s Digital and Technologies Industrial Strategy 8 (IS-8) sector and fundamental to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy. 

Published by Frontier Economics and commissioned by the UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy (UK ITSS), the report highlights some key strengths but warns of intensifying cumulative shortfalls by 2035.  

Barriers to entering and progressing in the sector and misalignment between educational pathways and industry needs are cited as the biggest challenges.  

View the full report.

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