​Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector is the beating heart of our economy. It’s responsible for over 11% of total employment and represents around 14% of local GDP. From global food production facilities and advanced engineering firms to specialist packaging operations and cutting-edge electronics, our manufacturers are diverse, resilient, and ambitious.

Behind every successful production line or export milestone lies something far less talked about; talent. The engineers, the operations managers, the quality leads, and the supply chain specialists who make it all happen. And right now, that talent is under increasing pressure.

At Vickerstock, we’ve spent over 15 years helping manufacturing businesses across the Island of Ireland and the United Kingdom find and retain the skilled professionals they need to thrive. As we celebrate Manufacturing Month NI, we believe it’s more important than ever to shine a spotlight on the critical link between recruitment and the long-term health of the manufacturing sector.

Talk to any Operations Director or Site Manager in manufacturing today, or even just picking up a newspaper, one theme consistently dominates the conversation, skills shortages. We’re seeing increasing demand for highly skilled professionals, particularly in maintenance engineering, process improvement, health & safety, and production planning. Yet the pool of available, qualified candidates is shrinking. Brexit, an ageing workforce, and evolving technology demands are all tightening the labour market.

According to Make UK, 36% of vacancies in manufacturing are proving hard-to-fill as applicants lack the appropriate skills, qualifications or experience. This compares to an average rate of 24% across all industries. In Northern Ireland, where the manufacturing sector plays an outsized role in the local economy, the impact is even more pronounced.

When recruitment isn’t aligned with business strategy, the cost goes far beyond an empty seat.

Vacant roles lead to operational delays, decreased output, and rising overtime costs for stretched teams. Rushed hires can result in poor cultural fit or early attrition, leading to further disruption and costs down the line. For sectors like food production, where compliance, safety, and quality are non-negotiable, having the right people in the right roles isn’t just good business. It’s essential.

That’s why a strategic approach to recruitment isn’t just HR’s responsibility. It should be on the agenda in every boardroom and leadership meeting within the manufacturing space.

One of the biggest blind spots often seen in the manufacturing sector is a lack of proactive succession planning. Many businesses are running leaner than ever before. While this improves efficiency, it also means there’s often no clear backup when a critical team member leaves. Combine that with a wave of retirements on the horizon and increasing demand for future-fit leadership, and you’ve got a brewing crisis.

Succession planning isn’t just about identifying who might step up, it’s about investing in that person’s development, mentoring them, and ensuring they’re equipped to lead when the time comes. External recruitment can play a role here too, bringing in high-potential candidates who can grow into leadership roles over time.

There’s no doubt that 2025 will bring fresh challenges to the manufacturing sector. Economic uncertainty, rising costs, and supply chain pressures continue to test even the most established businesses. But amid the uncertainty lies opportunity.

Companies that invest in their workforce today, through smart recruitment, upskilling, and retention strategies, will be better positioned to navigate change and stay competitive. As the saying goes, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”

Remember that recruitment never stops, recruitment for vacancies begins long before the job becomes live, it begins in the culture, the communication, the narrative and story of your organisation, both in what has been written and what is yet to be wrote.

At Vickerstock, we’re strategic talent partners. With over 5,000 successful assignments for manufacturing businesses, we understand vacancy nuances, unique cultures, challenges and strategic objectives, whether that’s scaling production, introducing automation, or navigating executive succession planning. We map the talent needed to support those objectives and build-out ongoing pipelines who not only tick the technical boxes but align with company goals, values, and ways of working.

As proud sponsors of Manufacturing Month NI, we’re inspired by the innovation, resilience, and ambition that defines the sector. None of it happens without people. Your people are your number one asset. At Vickerstock Recruitment, we’re here to help manufacturers across Northern Ireland build the talent teams they need, not just to survive, but to thrive. We’re ready to support your recruitment needs with insight, integrity, and impact.

Let’s build the future of Northern Ireland manufacturing together.

Get in Touch

Ready to strengthen your workforce and plan for success? Speak to our experts today.

Call:028 9031 3720
Email: d.mcvicker@vickerstock.com