Why the Certified Engineer Shortage Is Impacting the Fire and Security Industry

The certified engineer shortage is no longer a future concern. It is a present-day challenge affecting project delivery, compliance, and growth across the fire and security industry. As regulations tighten and systems become more advanced, demand for qualified and accredited engineers continues to rise. However, the number of professionals completing formal qualifications is not keeping pace.

Industry data from EngineeringUK workforce data shows that engineering roles account for a significant proportion of the UK’s ‘hardest-to-fill’ vacancies, with employers consistently reporting difficulties sourcing certified talent.

This has contributed to a widening fire and security skills gap, particularly in roles requiring specialist knowledge of life safety systems, fire protection standards, and regulated installations.

Understanding the Fire and Security Skills Gap

The skills shortage fire and security businesses are experiencing is not driven by a lack of interest in engineering careers. Instead, it is caused by structural issues within training, certification, and workforce development.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology’s latest UK engineering and technology skills stats highlights that 76% of engineering employers struggle to recruit for skilled roles. Meanwhile, data from the UK Employer Skills Survey points to hundreds of thousands of skill-shortage vacancies annually. For fire and security employers, this often translates into delayed installations, increased pressure on existing staff, and reduced capacity to take on new projects, particularly during peak fire and security hiring periods.

This growing industry skills gap is especially challenging in sectors where compliance, certification, and third-party accreditation are non-negotiable. These pressures are explored further in our guide to fire and security recruitment challenges.

Barriers to Engineer Certification

One of the most overlooked causes of the shortage is the number of barriers to engineer certification faced by experienced professionals. Many engineers enter the fire protection industry through hands-on roles and gain years of practical experience but never formalise their qualifications, even as key engineering certifications continue to evolve.

Common engineering certification challenges include:

• Limited access to funded training
• Time constraints due to site demands
• Inconsistent employer support
• A lack of clear progression pathways

According to recent employer surveys, lack of time is one of the biggest obstacles to upskilling technical staff. When engineers are working long hours to meet demand, stepping away for training becomes difficult, even when they want to progress.

This results in many capable engineers remaining uncertified, further increasing the certified engineers demand across the sector.

The Human Factor: Awareness and Motivation

Another factor contributing to the shortage is awareness. Many engineers are unsure how certification will impact their career or believe it is only required for senior or managerial roles. In reality, becoming a certified engineer can unlock higher earnings, better job security, and long-term career resilience.

Research from industry surveys indicates that only around 60% of employers feel the current workforce is fully prepared for future technical demands. This highlights a disconnect between experience and formal recognition, particularly within the technical workforce.

Without mentorship, guidance, and clear communication around benefits, certification can feel like an administrative burden rather than a career investment.

Consequences for the Fire and Security Industry

The shortage of certified professionals has far-reaching implications. Businesses operating within the fire and security industry face increasing scrutiny from clients, insurers, and regulatory bodies. Without the right certifications in place, companies may struggle to bid for work, maintain approved contractor status, or win long-term frameworks.

For engineers, the pressure intensifies as workloads increase and responsibilities fall on a shrinking pool of qualified individuals. This can lead to burnout, reduced retention, and further strain on the engineering jobs demand pipeline.

From a wider perspective, the lack of certification slows innovation, limits scalability, and increases risk within life-critical environments.

Training and Certification for Engineers: A Long-Term Solution

Addressing the shortage requires more than reactive hiring. Long-term solutions lie in training and certification for engineers that are accessible, supported, and aligned with real-world job demands.

Forward-thinking employers are already investing in structured learning, mentorship, and funded qualifications. Industry data shows that the majority of engineering firms plan to increase spending on upskilling over the next few years, recognising that certification is not a cost but a competitive advantage.

Effective workforce development strategies combine:

• Employer-funded training
• Flexible learning schedules
• Clear progression routes
• Support through accreditation processes

This approach not only improves retention but strengthens the entire industry workforce development engineers rely on.

Professional Competence Matters

In professions where life safety is paramount, recognition of expertise is essential. A recent professional competence in fire engineering report by the UK Government highlights the need for robust standards and clarity around qualifications, particularly in areas where certified skills directly impact public safety outcomes.

Local industry reporting also shows fire safety certification issues affecting compliance and project sign-off. As fire and security systems become more complex, professional standards and clearly defined certification pathways will be key to raising industry performance and confidence.

Building a Certified Engineering Workforce for the Future

To close the gap, collaboration is essential. Employers, training providers, and industry bodies must work together to reduce friction in the certification journey and encourage continuous development.

Building a certified engineering workforce ensures businesses remain compliant, competitive, and future-ready. It also supports the next generation of professional engineers, providing clarity on career paths and expectations from the outset.

In a sector as critical as fire and security, certification is no longer optional. It is the foundation of quality, safety, and sustainable growth.

The certified engineer shortage is a challenge, but it is also an opportunity. With the right investment in training engineers, clearer certification pathways, and proactive recruitment strategies, the fire protection industry can strengthen its workforce and future-proof its operations.

Contact us today to access certified engineers, strengthen your technical workforce, and secure the right talent to keep your projects compliant and on track.