Salaries And Costs
Pay in Worthing reflects strong demand for multi skilled engineers, with maintenance and mechanical roles often landing between £32,000 and £45,000, and senior posts reaching £55,000 or more. Temp agencies tend to quote hourly rates from £16 to £28, depending on shift patterns and site requirements. Recruitment fees vary by assignment, with many employment firms working on 12 percent to 20 percent of starting salary for permanent placements, and margin models for temp supply. Agency costs will rise for scarce skills, out of hours cover, and security cleared work. Local employers can manage spend by agreeing a clear brief, setting salary bands early, and using recruitment consultants who already have screened candidates on their books.
Qualifications
Worthing firms often look for HNC or degree level credentials in mechanical, electrical, or manufacturing engineering, with proven PLC knowledge for controls posts. For site based work, ECS or CSCS cards, IPAF, PASMA, and 18th Edition are common requests. Welders and fabricators may be asked for BS EN ISO 9606 coding, and food or pharma clients may ask for cleanroom awareness and HACCP. Chartership through IMechE or IET can help in design and leadership roles, while ECITB backed training supports contractor compliance. Recruiters will check right to work, references, and any DBS needs for sensitive sites.
Local Hiring Challenges
Worthing’s job market is tight for maintenance engineers who can cover electrical and mechanical faults on the same shift. Commutable draws from Brighton, Littlehampton, and Chichester keep competition lively, and early starts on coastal industrial estates can narrow the catchment for public transport users. Staffing agencies handle this by flagging shift premiums, mapping commute times via the A27 and rail, and running fast pre screens for call outs. Retention improves when businesses offer structured handovers, tool allowances, and clear training routes on specific lines or assets.
Common Job Roles Agencies Recruit For
Recruiters in Worthing place maintenance engineers, mechanical fitters, electrical engineers, CNC machinists, design engineers, quality technicians, project engineers, production supervisors, and HSE officers. Executive search teams support plant managers, engineering managers, quality leaders, and heads of maintenance. Temp agencies keep lines running with contractors for shutdowns, installations, and holiday cover, while permanent teams build pipelines for graduates and time served trades.
Entry Requirements And Career Paths
Local workshops and factories hire apprentices and trainees with strong maths, a practical mindset, and some exposure to tools or CAD. Time served trades can step into team leader posts, then into engineering planner or reliability roles. Design and projects often start with junior CAD or assistant engineer posts, moving into project engineer, then into project manager with budget control. Recruitment agencies help candidates register with an agency, polish a shop floor focused CV, and prepare for site tests.
Seasonal Trends
The labour market tightens around summer shutdowns, with short term contract work spiking for planned maintenance. Year end capex can lift project and installation hiring, while winter breakdowns trigger call out demand, which pushes pay rates. Recruiters advise businesses to book contractors early for shutdowns, and to line up permits and inductions to keep mobilisation smooth.
Regulatory And Compliance Standards
Many Worthing sites work to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, with ISO 45001 for safety management. Food and pharma sites add GMP or BRC standards, and utilities or public contracts may require background checks. Recruitment consultants brief candidates on site rules, PPE, and permit to work systems, and will confirm licences and certificates before start dates.
Regional And Geographic Notes
Worthing sits on the A27 with rail links into Brighton, Portsmouth, and London, so the workforce often includes commuters from Durrington, Goring by Sea, Tarring, and Broadwater. Business parks and industrial estates around East Worthing and the coast host manufacturers, engineering services, and precision firms. Recruiters use these commuter links to widen reach, then schedule interviews to match shift patterns and train times.
Salaries, Pay Rates, And Agency Costs
Temporary, permanent, and contract work call for clear pay plans. Day shift maintenance may sit at £18 to £22 per hour, nights or weekends climb higher, and senior contractors with commissioning skills can command £30 plus. Salaries for design or quality roles vary with software stacks and sector, with SolidWorks or Siemens NX often adding a premium. Agency costs are best handled up front, with terms that set fees, rebates, and temp to perm conversions, which keeps hiring clean for local employers and jobseekers.
Quick Facts And FAQs
Do recruitment agencies in Worthing cover both shop floor and office based engineering?
Yes, most agencies place hands on trades, design, planning, and management.
Can recruiters supply temps at short notice for breakdowns?
Many staffing agencies run on call rotas and can arrange vetted contractors quickly.
Do local businesses get help with compliance checks?
Recruitment consultants will verify cards, licences, and training before start dates.
Can candidates register with an agency without specific sector experience?
Yes, a strong practical base and willingness to train can open junior routes.
Are executive search services used for senior hires in Worthing?
Employers use executive search for plant leadership, quality heads, and senior projects.
This page is written for local employers who want to hire staff fast and fairly, and for candidates who want to find employees, meet recruiters, and move into the right roles. Search our engineering recruitment agencies in Worthing to speak with a consultant who knows the local labour market, salaries, and retention pressures.