2025 has been a cautious year for recruitment. Many businesses held back on growth plans due to cost pressures, economic uncertainty, and global supply chain challenges. But what will 2026 bring? Will hiring pick up, and which sectors are set to lead the way? Here’s our perspective.
Overall Outlook: A Selective Rebound
Recruitment is expected to improve moderately in 2026, though the recovery will not be uniform across all industries. Companies are likely to remain careful with headcount growth, focusing on specialist roles and critical skills they cannot do without. Recruitment will be strongest in sectors tied to sustainability, technology, advanced mobility and infrastructure.
Automotive & Advanced Mobility: Manufacturing in Transition
The automotive sector is undergoing a technological transformation rather than a decline. Traditional vehicle manufacturing roles are shifting as companies adopt new propulsion systems and automated production techniques. Hydrogen technology, while promising, remains in its early stages, and widespread adoption in mainstream vehicles is not yet a reality—but it is influencing research, design, and engineering recruitment.
Additionally, the emergence of eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft is creating a small but growing demand for aerospace and automotive hybrid skills. Recruitment will increasingly focus on roles such as:
- Vehicle manufacturing engineers skilled in electric and hydrogen propulsion
- Battery and powertrain specialists for next-generation vehicles
- Robotics and automation engineers for production lines
- eVTOL design, integration, and testing engineers
- Hydrogen fuel cell R&D and systems integration experts
In short, automotive and advanced mobility recruitment is shifting toward highly technical manufacturing and research roles.
Industries to Watch in 2026
On the Rise:
- Green Energy & Sustainability: Engineers, project managers, and skilled trades supporting solar, wind, battery storage, and hydrogen projects.
- Technology & Digital: AI, data science, and cybersecurity roles will continue to surge.
- Logistics & Supply Chain: Driven by e-commerce and nearshoring, warehousing and distribution will continue expanding.
- Infrastructure & Construction: Housing, energy grids, and EV charging networks require skilled labour and management.
- Advanced Mobility & eVTOL: Roles in R&D, production, and regulatory compliance will grow as urban air mobility technologies advance.
New Roles Emerging
2026 will see more “hybrid” positions at the intersection of technology and traditional industries, such as:
- Sustainability compliance officers
- AI governance and ethics specialists
- Digital-enabled skilled trades (smart maintenance, connected systems)
- Embedded software engineers in automotive, aerospace, and IoT
Recruitment is shifting toward skills-based hiring, with employers increasingly open to candidates from non-traditional backgrounds who can demonstrate the right expertise.
What This Means for Employers and Jobseekers
- Employers: Start workforce planning now and invest in reskilling or upskilling programs. Roles requiring niche technical expertise will be highly competitive.
- Jobseekers: Build transferable skills in technology, sustainability, and digital tools. Flexibility, adaptability, and continuous learning will be critical.
Our Take
2026 will not be a blanket recruitment boom, but it will be a year of opportunity for those in growth industries. Agility is key—being ready to pivot toward emerging roles and new skill demands. Recruitment is set to become more specialised, skills-focused, and technology-driven.
At Envisage Recruitment we help both businesses and candidates navigate this evolving landscape. Whether you’re hiring for tomorrow’s roles or planning your next career move, we can guide you through what’s next.
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