The UK industrial door industry is evolving rapidly, with businesses demanding engineers who can do more than just specialise in one area. As technology advances and facilities become increasingly complex, the need for multi-skilled engineers who can service, install, and maintain industrial doors, loading bays, gates, barriers, and access control systems has never been greater.
At Kemp Recruitment, we see this shift first-hand. Every month, we’re matching businesses with highly skilled people such as industrial door engineers, automatic door engineers, garage door engineers, and loading bay engineers. We work closely with businesses that operate across both automatic doors and industrial doors, ensuring they can build teams that are equipped to handle a wide range of systems. For employers, this flexibility means faster response times, less downtime, and better value from maintenance teams. For candidates, it opens the door to more career opportunities and long-term job security.
Why multi-skilled engineers are in demand
The days of single-specialism engineers are fading. Facilities managers and logistics providers now prefer multi-skilled professionals who can work on a variety of equipment in one visit. A warehouse, for example, may need support from a mobile industrial door engineer who can handle roller shutters, dock levellers, automated gates, and access control systems.
Several factors are driving this trend:
- Efficiency – Having one engineer able to solve multiple issues reduces downtime and the cost of call-outs.
- Safety & Compliance – With evolving health and safety legislation, engineers must understand different systems and how they interact (Door & Hardware Federation).
- Technology Integration – Smart access systems are increasingly linked to security, fire safety, and automation which require broader expertise.
- Skills Shortages – The wider UK engineering sector faces a growing shortage of qualified professionals, with reports warning of the need for thousands more engineers across technical industries (EngineeringUK, 2024).
Opportunities for Engineers
For engineers, becoming multi-skilled doesn’t just make you more employable, it can also increase earning potential and open pathways into supervisory or management roles. Employers are often investing in training for motivated engineers, whether you’re a garage door repair engineer wanting to expand into automation, or an automatic door engineer keen to cross-train into access control.
Training opportunities include:
- Powered access training (IPAF, PASMA)
- Gate & barrier automation certifications
- Access control and security system training
- Health & safety accreditations (CSCS, SSSTS, etc.)
With construction and logistics sectors also competing for skilled labour, investment in cross-training is becoming a vital solution to meet workforce challenges (EngineeringUK, 2024).
The role of specialist recruitment
For businesses, finding the right talent in such a competitive market is a challenge. This is where specialist recruiters like Kemp Recruitment step in. Because we work within technical engineering sectors, we understand:
- Which skill sets are in highest demand.
- How to match engineers with employers who will invest in their development.
- The value of long-term placements that help clients build multi-skilled teams for the future.
“Clients are telling us they don’t just want a door engineer anymore; they want someone who can cover doors, barriers, gates, and increasingly, access control systems. Engineers who are open to cross-training will find themselves with far more opportunities in the years ahead.”
Anja Thirlaway
Client Manager at Kemp Recruitment
Final thoughts
The future of the industrial door industry lies in flexibility and adaptability. Multi-skilled engineers, whether they’re starting out as industrial door engineers, loading bay engineers, or garage door repair engineers, are already becoming the backbone of maintenance teams across the UK. This trend is only set to grow as facilities become more complex, and technology continues to advance.
At Kemp Recruitment, we’re proud to partner with businesses working across industrial doors and automatic doors, helping them build strong, future-ready teams and supporting engineers in growing their careers with cross-training and development opportunities. If you’re an employer aiming to strengthen your team, call us on 0330 440 2323. If you’re a multi-skilled engineer ready to take your career forward, explore our latest industrial door roles.
References
- Door & Hardware Federation – Industry Training and Compliance Guidance
- Engineering UK – Engineering Skills Shortages in the UK
- Engineering UK – The State of Engineering 2024 Report
