A new report from the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) warns that the UK’s shipbuilding industry must urgently address skills shortages in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and automation to remain competitive.

Developed in partnership with Innovate UK’s Workforce Foresighting Hub, the report highlights how emerging technologies are reshaping the industry, with automation and robotics playing an increasingly critical role in welding, inspections, and working in hazardous environments.

To keep pace with these changes, NMIS is calling for enhanced training programmes, new qualifications, and stronger collaboration between industry and education providers. The report outlines future job profiles, helping manufacturers assess skills gaps and prepare their workforce for the next generation of shipbuilding.

While automation is already in use across UK shipyards, demand for advanced robotics and AI-driven solutions is only set to grow. Welders, for example, may soon be required to combine traditional skills with robotics expertise and additive manufacturing. Without the right training, the workforce risks falling behind.

To bridge the gap, NMIS recommends updated training modules, short courses, and continuous professional development (CPD) programmes to ensure workers are prepared for hybrid roles that blend traditional skills with new technologies.

Greg Cranston, industry and skills engagement lead at NMIS, stated, “The shipbuilding sector has a deep-rooted history in Scotland, but the challenges of skills shortages extend across the UK. If the sector is to thrive, we need to ensure we have the right people with the right skills ready to meet demand.”

Shipbuilding contributed an estimated £3.1bn to the UK economy in 2022, supporting more than 44,600 jobs. The UK’s National Shipbuilding Strategy published the same year, set ambitious targets to increase productivity, boost competitiveness, and strengthen the supply chain. A key goal is to reduce the skills gap by 35% by 2027 and cut it in half by 2050.

The insights from the NMIS report could also benefit other industries dealing with large-scale structures, such as offshore wind, oil and gas, construction, and transport.

Debbie Johnson, Head of Innovation Talent & Skills at Innovate UK, emphasised the need for urgent action: “The speed at which we adopt new technology directly impacts the UK’s ability to compete globally. Often, the technology is available, but without a skilled workforce, we can’t unlock its full potential.”