Recruitment levels in the engineering sector are continuing to expand despite the general sense of gloom in the economy, according to research published by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

A survey of 400 companies across the engineering and technology sector indicated that 63% of companies are expecting to recruit staff this year as a result of business expansion.

“The survey shows, that, although economic predictions are becoming increasingly pessimistic, engineering and technology is a vibrant, expanding sector which is creating new jobs and there is a strong demand for new skills,” said Robin McGill, IET chief executive.

The strongest areas of engineering recruitment were civil, energy, defence as well as electronics.

Commenting on the figures, Sham Ahmed, managing director of the MathWorks, the Cambridge-based analysis software company, said engineering is still one of the most exciting careers for graduates.

“Within the UK, there is an upward trend in the engineering sector resulting in a huge demand for strong engineering skills both for those who are currently employed within the industry, as well as the talent blossoming within our universities,” said Ahmed.

Although companies are primarily recruiting from the UK, the European Union remains the second largest source of recruitment with a particularly strong level of recruitment from the newer member states.