The technical labour market is in flux. Whereas companies struggled with a shortage of skilled workers for years, we are now seeing a structural change in how, where and with what technology people work. Digitalisation, sustainability and ageing are together causing a shift that offers both opportunities and challenges. Whether you are a mechanical engineer, software engineer or mechanic, your profession will change rapidly in the coming years.

At Trinamics, we are closely monitoring these developments. As a connecting party between technicians and companies, we see on a daily basis where demand is increasing, which skills are becoming more important and how job profiles are changing. We are happy to share this with you.

In this article, you can read about the 10 most important trends in technical professions in the United Kingdom towards 2026.

1. Energy transition: entering the adult phase with steady growth.

The transition remains a key driver, but the growth curve has flattened: in 2024, heat pump sales dropped by roughly 35% compared to 2023 due to policy shifts, lower gas prices, grid congestion, and consumer uncertainty. Companies are still investing in district heating, storage, and smart energy systems, but the focus is shifting from expansion to optimization and integration.

What this requires from technicians:

• More maintenance, tuning, and retrofitting than just installing new systems.

• Integrating generation, storage, charging infrastructure, and control technology.

• Data monitoring for performance, fault prevention, and energy management.

Want to know what these developments mean for your career? Learn more about working in the energy sector and find out how you can contribute to the future of energy.

2. Connected systems: from IoT data to predictive maintenance.

More and more systems are connected through sensors and IoT. They constantly send data to building management systems (BMS/SCADA) and cloud platforms. This shifts maintenance from fixed intervals to a smart approach based on real-time data: condition-based and even predictive maintenance. The outcome: less downtime, better planned service, increased reliability, and lower energy consumption.

Examples:

• HVAC and lighting automatically adjust based on occupancy.

• In the industry, vibration and temperature sensors predict wear on bearings or pumps.

• Malfunctions are automatically converted into tickets within maintenance systems (CMMS/EAM).

What technicians need:

• Ability to read and interpret data: identify trends, set threshold values, and determine alarm strategies.

• Work with communication protocols and platforms like BACnet, Modbus, or MQTT, and with systems like BMS, SCADA, and CMMS.

• Basic knowledge of predictive maintenance (PdM) and related measuring instruments, such as vibration analysis and thermography.

• Be mindful of cybersecurity within operational technology (OT) networks.

3. Digital twins and virtual commissioning

Digital twins (digital copies of physical installations) allow engineers to virtually build and test systems before actual implementation. This technology helps prevent errors, optimize performance, and is increasingly used in industries like machinery, process manufacturing, and construction. Technicians need to understand the integration of mechanics, software, and data, work with 3D models, simulations, and PLC/IoT data, think analytically to translate digital data into physical improvements, and collaborate across disciplines from mechanical engineering to IT and data engineering.

4. AI copilots are helping out in engineering and operations.

AI assistants are making their way into the workplace and office. They help engineers and mechanics with diagnosing, documenting, and analyzing logs, images, and malfunctions. This helps teams pinpoint problems faster, increase the first-time-fix rate, and retain knowledge as experienced workers retire.

Practical applications:

• include copilots summarizing malfunction logs and suggesting possible causes, automatically generated test steps or checklists in maintenance systems, and smart search functions in manuals and PLC/HMI code examples.

• Technicians need to have a basic understanding of AI tools, prompts, and data quality, as well as insight into version control, privacy, and OT security.

• They work in a human-in-the-loop process where AI supports but humans make the decisions. Understanding how AI integrates with existing systems (CMMS, EAM, SCADA) is crucial.

5. System integration and multidisciplinary collaboration

Gone are the days when one discipline ruled a project. Nowadays, modern installations blend electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, software, IT, and data communication. Take a charging station at a logistics company, for instance: charging points, solar panels, batteries, and smart control all collaborate in one system. This requires coordination among various specialties.

What this demands from technicians:

• broad basic knowledge across multiple fields

• ability to communicate with software and data experts

• working in multidisciplinary project teams

• smoothly transitioning between theory, practice, and collaboration.

6. Building with prefab, modular, and circular methods.

In construction and installation technology, there's a shift towards using more prefab and circular concepts. This means building installations in factories, testing them, and then just assembling them on-site. It improves quality, speeds up construction, and makes reuse easier.

Technicians now need to work more in:

• controlled production sites rather than on the construction site, focus on tighter quality control and documentation

• have knowledge of dismantling, reusability, and circular construction. They also need to think about efficiency and sustainability.

7. Cybersecurity: keeping connected systems safe and sound!

As more and more systems go online - from production lines to climate control systems - the risk of cyber incidents also increases. That's why cybersecurity has become a crucial part of technology. Nowadays, a technician or operator needs to understand not only the machine but also its digital surroundings.

What this requires from technicians:

• Basic knowledge of network security and access rights.

• Understanding of data integrity and secure update processes.

• Awareness of OT security in cloud-driven installations.

• Being alert to phishing, social engineering, and system abuse.

8. The ongoing tightness in the job market.

The demand for technical personnel continues to be higher than the supply. According to Wij Techniek, employment in the sector is growing faster than the influx from education.

This has significant implications for companies and professionals:

• Sector implications include more opportunities for further education and career changes

• increasing salaries and better working conditions, and a greater focus on retention

• knowledge sharing, and sustainable employability.

Trinamics addresses this by not only mediating for technicians but also actively supporting them in career development and advancement.

9. The rise of freelancers and flexible work arrangements

More and more technicians are opting for freedom and independence. The number of self-employed professionals in the tech industry is increasing every year, thanks to high demand and flexible clients. Contract work, project-based roles, and hybrid setups are becoming the standard. For companies, this means investing in long-term partnerships with specialized professionals, even without permanent contracts. Trinamics supports this balance by offering flexible detachment options that blend security with autonomy.

10. Specialization and diversification

The technician of 2026 is a mix of specialist and all-rounder. On one hand, there's a growing need for in-depth knowledge like heat pumps, EV charging infrastructure, or robotics. On the other hand, practicality requires broad collaboration and understanding of other disciplines.

The ideal technician of the future:

• Knows their field inside out.

• Understands the connection between electrical engineering, IT, and data.

• Thinks in sustainability and digitalization. And keeps learning, always curious and future-oriented.

This blend of specialization and adaptability will make technicians invaluable in the years to come.

Technology remains at the core of progress.

In the coming years, the work of technicians is changing faster than ever. New technologies, sustainable ambitions, and societal changes are driving a wave of innovations. What remains constant is the need for good people. Whether you're an electrician, project manager, engineer, or operator, the future of the Netherlands relies on technology. At Trinamics, we help technicians and companies move forward. With market knowledge, personal guidance, and projects at leading organizations, we're building a sustainable, smart future together.