It takes a decade to grow talent, but hiring can’t wait

By Victoria Fellows

June 13, 2025

Last week’s announcement of nearly £5 million in government funding for the UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) is a major step forward — not just for education, but for the entire UK deep tech ecosystem.

At IC Resources, we see the hiring challenges our clients face every day. Whether it’s IC design engineers, data scientists, or AI specialists, talent is in short supply. That’s why investment in long-term initiatives like UKESF is so important — it brings a structured, nationwide approach to building the skills the UK needs.

Real impact, long-term vision

What makes UKESF stand out is its integrated approach to skills development — from secondary school outreach to undergraduate support, industry placements and beyond. This funding will allow them to scale their programmes across all four nations of the UK.

That’s not just good for students — it’s critical for employers

The UK is in a global race for deep tech talent. Countries like Germany, South Korea and the US are investing heavily in semiconductors, AI hardware and quantum computing. Without a coordinated approach to skills, the UK risks being left behind.

What this means for hiring

The impact for hiring won’t be immediate — but it will be transformative. Here’s how:

1. Better candidate pipelines

UKESF’s ability to reach and engage talented students earlier means more motivated, better-prepared graduates entering the market over the next 5–10 years — and with actual work experience under their belts.

2. Stronger regional talent pools

With UKESF scaling nationally, we’ll see more geographically diverse talent, especially in regions like Wales, Northern Ireland and the North of England, reducing dependency on traditional tech hubs.

3. Clearer employer branding opportunities

Companies who engage with UKESF programmes (e.g. by offering internships or sponsoring scholarships) will be in a stronger position to build employer brand loyalty and hire the best of tomorrows’ candidates early.

The time to act is now

While this is a major step forward, we can’t afford to sit back and wait. The skills gap remains urgent. In some cases, the best candidates are being snapped up within days of becoming available.

That’s why we would recommend that businesses should:

– Partner with organisations like UKESF to future-proof your pipelines.
– Actively invest in early-career hiring and training programmes.
– Work with recruiters who understand the nuances of deep tech and can tap into both emerging and passive talent pools.

We’re proud to be part of the solution

At IC Resources we’re extremely proud to support organisations like UKESF and to be part of the wider ecosystem helping UK deep tech thrive — not just now, but for the next generation.

Because while it may take a decade to take a step, the right strategic moves today can change the future tomorrow.

To discuss this, or any of our other blogs please contact victoria.fellows@ic-resources.com