Feature

Engineering the future: Why lifelong learning is the ultimate innovation tool

Change in UK engineering and manufacturing is happening faster than ever. With digital technology, automation, green innovations and the push toward net zero transforming the industry, the idea of a job for life based on a single skill is no longer realistic. Today, the most valuable tool an engineer can have is the ability to keep learning and adapting throughout their career.

02/02/2026 11:23:48

For many years, the skills conversation in our sector has centred on the entry pipeline: attracting young people, boosting apprenticeships, and strengthening technical education. These efforts remain essential, but they are not sufficient alone.

It can take up to four years for a new entrant to become fully competent, and meanwhile, our workforce is ageing. By 2030, around 80 percent of the people who will power our economy are already in employment today.

If the UK is serious about achieving its ambitious growth targets, we cannot afford to wait for the next generation to qualify.

Read the full article in DPA's February 2026 issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.