I'M a trained chemical engineer with more than 15 years' experience. I'm Swedish and have worked across Europe and Pakistan - most recently as a project manager at Enercon, the Pakistani government's energy conservation department. I'd now like to work in the UK as a chemical or environmental engineer but am struggling to find a job.  Malik, via email  It is ironic that in the very week UK employers announce thousands of apprenticeships - to tackle skills shortages in engineering, among other things - someone of your experience should write to me unable to find a job, Malik.  Over the past few days, high-profile companies from Centrica to BaE Systems announced plans to hire apprentices to train the next generation of engineers. They warn the ageing demographic in the engineering sector will lead to severe skills gaps. In your case Malik, you seem to be just the sort of person the sector needs, but employers still won't hire you.  according to Paul Gosling, of engineering recruiter allen & York, your situation is not uncommon.  The problem stems, he thinks, from highly-qualified people being too expensive to hire. Employers are turned off by taking on a ?65,000-per-year engineer when they can get a less experienced one with potential for ?30,000, Gosling says. ap