R&D skills supply and demand: workforce trends and projections
An analysis of research and development (R&D) workforce trends, characteristics and skills demand in the UK.
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This report explores:
- trends in the R&D workforce, including personal characteristics and occupational makeup
- employer skills demand, with an investigation of ‘hard-to-fill vacancies’ and ‘skills shortage vacancies’
- how the skills required in R&D job postings compare to non-R&D jobs
Detailed insights into the skills required for the R&D workforce, perspectives on the influence of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) issues and other topics are explored using in-depth interviews with employers and employees in the R&D sectors.
This analysis also looks into future projections of R&D employment. It covers expected changes in employment levels for jobs related to research and development (R&D) and their share in overall employment under various future scenarios. It examines how these outcomes vary across different regions and countries in the UK.
The report adds to the evidence base for policies to enhance the inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability of the R&D workforce. These efforts will be crucial given the evolving needs for automation, artificial intelligence, and digitalisation.
The analysis was conducted in collaboration with City-REDI, University of Birmingham. Lead author is Dr Konstantinos Kollydas.