So warns Andy Jones, managing director of industrial compressors manufacturer Mattei.
"The shortage of young people in engineering has been a concern for some time, but with four out of five manufacturers reporting recruitment difficulties, and an estimated 87,000 new engineers required each year, the need to attract younger people is becoming increasingly urgent," states Jones.
"According to the EEF Skills Shortage Manifesto 2015, the demand for engineers and technicians remains high, with over half the engineering companies surveyed looking to recruit an apprentice in the next 12 months," he continues.
"However, the Engineering Report 2015, reported a deficit of skilled workers running to 55,000 unfilled vacancies per year."
Jones points to this year's Engineering UK report, which suggests that the UK needs a two-fold increase in engineering graduates – which means doubling the numbers of young people studying GCSE physics as part of triple sciences as a starting point.
"In addition to the shortage, issues have arisen surrounding employer expectations versus the ability of new recruits," continues Jones.
"The EEF Manifesto found that 57% of employers felt applicants did not have sufficient practical experience, and only 36% of STEM [science, technology, engineering and maths] teachers felt confident in giving engineering careers advice."
Hence, he says, the need for tight collaboration between employers and educators to reach the standards and numbers required.
"Perhaps the pressure needs to come from the top down – MPs encouraging employers within their constituencies to collaborate with local education facilities."