The last few weeks has seen several new engineering jobs posted on the Humres website perhaps giving a general indication that vacancies in the industry are on the rise. Hopefully we will see over the coming months, policies outlined by the new coalition government in the UK to help the prospect of more engineering jobs.

One area engineers are calling for to be sorted out quickly is that of nuclear energy and the building of new power plants. This is an area of policy where the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats disagree. Not only that but they have agreed to disagree on this important subject.

The Liberal Democrats are opposed to expansion in nuclear power in the UK so it remains to be seen whether the Conservatives can push their plans through parliament. However, the subject needs urgent attention as the Engineering UK 2009/10 report states ?energy has become a critical factor for social and economic welfare.?

A program of green energy related builds is already well underway with many offshore wind farms for example being erected around the coast of Britain. However, the UK is behind the European average in terms of nuclear power usage. Around 15 percent of UK energy is provided from nuclear power as opposed to an average of 32 percent across Europe.

The energy needs of the country perhaps require policies that provide different options and don?t leave all the UK?s eggs in one basket. Public finances will of course be a major factor in the decisions made by the new government, but the policies on energy will play an important role in boosting engineering jobs.