The UK Government’s new Modern Industrial Strategy is a 10-year roadmap to grow the economy through eight high-potential sectors. With more than £100 billion in new public investment already committed, the implications for recruitment, talent, and workforce development are profound.
Below are the most recruitment-relevant initiatives that are not just strategic in vision, but also backed by hard funding:
Global Talent Taskforce – £54 million
To combat talent shortages in high-growth sectors like AI, clean energy, and defence, the Government has launched a £54m Global Talent Taskforce. This team will:
Attract international talent in specialist roles
Streamline visa processes for priority sectors
Coordinate global outreach for top-tier technical and scientific skills
Skills Funding – £1.2 billion per year by 2028–29
Domestic talent pipelines are receiving a boost through:
Expanded apprenticeships and technical training linked to IS-8 sectors
System reform to align vocational pathways with emerging roles
A strong emphasis on engineering, green tech, AI, and manufacturing capabilities
R&D Talent Expansion – £86 billion investment
A massive investment in deep-tech R&D will reshape hiring in research and technical fields:
£670 million
for quantum computing development
£380 million
for engineering biology
Part of
£2 billion
in AI infrastructure targeted at workforce needs
Construction Skills & Planning Roles – £625 million
In a bid to modernise the construction industry and speed up housing delivery:
£625 million
will fund training for
60,000 new workers
in modern construction techniques
The Government will also
hire 1,000 new planning officers
across local authorities to reduce delays in housing development
Defence & Security Recruitment – £330 million via NSSIF
National security-related hiring will receive a £330m boost, supporting companies building UK defence capabilities and creating demand for high-skill, security-cleared roles.
Scaling SMEs & Tech Startups – £27.8bn NWF + £25.6bn British Business Bank
These funds aim to stimulate scale-up hiring in fast-growing tech and industrial businesses, particularly those aligned to the IS-8 sectors.
Key Takeaways for Talent Leaders
Talent mobility, both global and local, is being financially prioritised for the first time at this scale
Hiring in deep-tech, clean energy, construction, defence, and life sciences will see accelerated demand
Workforce development is now backed by long-term funding certainty, not just policy ambition
Recruitment teams should anticipate an evolving skills infrastructure, new training providers, and international pathways linked to sector plans
