2025 Insights & 2026 Key Skills

The engineering landscape is evolving fast – are you ready for what’s next?

Are you based in the UK? Join us in-person! Register here

This live-streamed webinar is part of a face-to-face panel discussion hosted in person by our sister institute, the Engineering College of Technology, at the Institution of Engineering in the UK.

Webinar details

This session brings together leading minds in industrial automation, sustainable manufacturing, engineering education, and smart technologies to explore what skills, mindsets, and strategies are needed to future-proof your engineering career.

Whether you’re navigating mid-career changes, teaching the next generation of engineers, or just getting started, this event will offer practical insights into how digital transformation, automation, and Industry 4.0 are reshaping the engineering profession – and how you can thrive in the years ahead.

• The webinar will be recorded and will be sent out to registered attendees afterwards.
• A certificate of attendance will be provided to attendees who request one near the end of the live webinar session.
• Please note: the time stated on this event is in UTC. You will need to convert this to your own time zone.

What You’ll Experience:

Future-Ready Panel Discussion
Get expert insight into how automation, digitalisation, and advanced manufacturing are impacting engineering roles—and what this means for your career.

Live Q&A – Ask the Experts
Bring your questions to the panel for real-time advice from professionals with decades of experience across industry and academia.

Emerging Trends Explained
From sustainable design and energy monitoring to AI integration and hybrid fuel systems—discover what’s coming in 2026 and beyond.

Actionable Career Advice
Learn how to upskill, re-skill, and stay relevant as new technologies and practices transform the engineering sector.

What You’ll Gain:

• A clear understanding of the skills engineers need to thrive in 2026 and beyond.
• Insider views on how the UK engineering sector is adapting to global tech trends.
• Practical steps to strengthen your career or curriculum in response to industry shifts.
• New professional connections and ideas to support your growth.

Who Should Attend?

• Engineering professionals in all fields of engineering.
• Employers interested in workforce development and future skill needs.
• Lecturers, researchers, and academic leaders in engineering.
• Students and recent graduates keen to explore the role of AI in their future careers.

About the Moderator

Leading the discussion is David Gajdus

David plays a key role across the Group, connecting students, partners, and industry. With deep experience in higher education and business development, he knows how to bring people together and spark meaningful conversations.

About the Panellists

Dr. Gary Thompson
Old school engineer who has a wealth of experience in manufacturing and product development. Looking to support UK manufacturing from the grass roots and convince people we can still make products in the UK and put engineering back on its feet. Gary has worked across the globe and is known for his idea generation and manufacturing knowledge.

Associate Professor Hamid Mehrabi
He is a Mechanical Engineer with a PhD in heat treatment of steels and over 30 years of experience across industry, research, and academia. His work focuses on industry-driven research in manufacturing, particularly in additive and sustainable processes, and he is dedicated to mentoring the next generation while promoting resource-efficient and sustainable practices.

Sue Armstrong
An Industrial Automation Expert with extensive experience across both industry and academia, she has led major initiatives in electronics and electrical engineering education. Most recently serving as Programme Leader for Electronics and Electrical at the University of Sunderland, she has played a key role in developing industry-aligned curricula and mentoring future engineers, while previously delivering complex automation and control systems across diverse industrial sectors.

Abdulrahman Shaalan
An experienced academic and researcher, he is currently the Programme Leader for Industrial Automation at the Engineering College of Technology. He previously led the BEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering and MSc Advanced Engineering Design programs at the University of Sunderland, with expertise in advanced maintenance strategies, Industry 4.0, sustainable manufacturing, and a strong background in automation, IoT applications, and quality assurance.

Adrian Morris
Adrian Morris is a researcher in the Department of Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing at the University of Sunderland, focusing on the impact of energy monitoring on maintenance and productivity. His research spans automotive systems, manufacturing, and automotive engineering, with recent work including the development of a low-cost hydrogen/petrol fuel system to reduce vehicle emissions. He is also the former Programme Leader for Engineering Degree Apprenticeships.

Richard Scott
Richard Scott is a Senior Instrumentation and Control Engineer and experienced lecturer, currently teaching industrial automation at the Engineering Institute of Technology. With over two decades of industry experience, he has worked on complex engineering projects in the energy and process sectors, specialising in ICSS, metering systems, and SCADA software integration.