Outlook Mixed For Chemical Engineers

photo : http://www.poiseuille.blogspot.com/

According to the US based publication Chemical Engineering, the employment outlook for Chemical Engineers is something of a mixed bag at the moment.

Key findings are:

• There are fewer job openings generally and corporate hiring processes are tougher
• Chemical Engineers with creativity and a broad skill set will always be in demand
• Median salaries are 7% higher than in 2007
• Recruitment firms are reporting fewer job searches
• Replacement hiring is down by about half and growth hiring (for expansion of production) is very low
• Chemical Engineers of the 'baby boomer' generation are working for longer, contributing to the drop in replacement hiring
• There are fewer entry-level positions but salaries are higher than in 2007
• New opportunities exist in renewables and green technology
• Process Control and Process Safety Engineers are in short supply
• Demand is significantly down in sectors supplying automotive and construction markets

Not all doom and gloom by any means. Chemical Engineering is still a highly flexible degree and gives the holder opportunities in a wide range of technical and non-technical jobs. Whilst the climate is tough currently, things should start to improve but as with business, creativity and flexibility are the keys to long term success.

Record Numbers to Study Chemical Engineering in UK

Despite my previous post flagging job losses in the US Chemical sector, it is interesting to report that applications to UK Chemical Engineering courses have reached an all time high. Figures show that 10,068 applications have been made this year; a year-on-year increase of 18%. Numbers have doubled since 2001. I'm interested to know the trend in other countries. Comments from a US based colleague suggest that this in not the case there. Certainly the UK Institution of Chemical Engineers has played its part with a very effective campaign called Whynotchemeng. Undoubtedly Chemical Engineering is a degree that provides a very good platform for a wide range of careers both within and outside the chemical industry. Whatever the reason for the surge, this has to be good news for an industry which has voiced major concerns over the availability of skills for the future.