Engineering & Manufacturing

A career in the Engineering and Manufacturing industry will give you the opportunity to solve the problems of tomorrow with the latest technological advances in the world. You could be involved in plenty of exciting roles in anything from aerospace and civil engineering to construction and process manufacturing.

Industry Summary

In a career in Engineering and Manufacturing, technologically advanced training and traditional manufacturing skills come as standard. It’s an industry where you’ll have access to the latest technologies in the industry, giving you the opportunity to solve the problems of tomorrow, today.

Engineering and manufacturing are the two areas most often linked to apprenticeships, but the choices available are anything but predictable. And apprenticeships aren’t your only option to make a break into the industry! There are unbelievable, exciting, almost limitless career opportunities in this continually growing field. From power and ceramics, to aerospace, motorsport and so much more – you’ll touch parts of people’s lives every day.

You could find yourself solving tomorrow’s energy challenges or generating ideas for new products that will find their way into planes, trains, cars or something else you use every day! Basically, there’s something for everyone. With plenty of practical on-the-job training your career will be engineered to let you take full advantage of the opportunities ahead. This will be true throughout your career, whether you do an apprenticeship, work in the field as a graduate or are an experienced professional of thirty years…

If you see a future in making things, bringing out the best in yourself and making the most of your talents, engineering and manufacturing could be for you!

What options can I take for a career in engineering and manufacturing?

Work Experience

Although there are loads of jobs available in the engineering and manufacturing industry, great opportunities with great employers are very competitive. Work experience will give you the chance to get your foot in the door, make connections and best of all find out what different jobs are all about and see if you’d enjoy it as a career! Some employers also offer those who go on a work placement in engineering and manufacturing a guaranteed apprenticeship or graduate job interview in the future as they already have the desirable skills they look for.

Unsure about what a work placement could involve? You should’ve asked!

Apprenticeships

As an engineering or engineering apprentice, you’ll have over 20 standards of apprenticeships to specialise in. Apprenticeships in engineering and manufacturing are a typical route for those entering the industry as it is the ideal combination of experience and qualifications. As an engineering or manufacturing apprentice, you’ll be working with an employer with real levels of responsibility, learning the skills of the trade through experienced colleagues. As an apprentice at any level you’ll be managing areas and working on real projects – at the highest, your projects could change how your organisation operates!

Work experience is incredibly important in the more hands-on industries like this one. You’ll also be paid to study for 20% of your working week where you’ll work on qualifications that relate directly to your role. An engineering or manufacturing apprenticeship could be perfectly suited for you if you want to learn the tricks of the trade from your job, and theory from college or university. If you’d like some responsibility, you’ll be sure to get it.

• Level 2 – Engineering Operative
• Level 2 – Nuclear Operative
• Level 2 – Gas network Team Leader
• Level 2 – Non-Destructive Testing Operator
• Level 2 – Footwear Manufacturer
• Level 3 – Engineering Technician
• Level 3 – Engineering Fitter
• Level 3 – Food and Drink Advanced Process Operator
• Level 4 – Aircraft Maintenance Certifying Engineer
• Level 4 – High Speed Rail and Infrastructure Technician
• Level 4 – Electrical power Networks Engineer
• Level 7 – Post Graduate Engineer

Want to know what apprenticeships are all about? We have you covered!

Degree Apprenticeships

A degree apprenticeship in engineering makes the most of both academic study at university and the experience you’d get from working with an employer on an apprenticeship. You’ll be studying at university for 20% of your time, working towards your degree which you’ll be applying to your work all the time, even becoming engaged on projects that your employer suggests. Your responsibilities will improve over the time you’re there, learning experienced colleagues. You’re even likely to have a mentor who will support you and aid you in your work-based projects.

• Level 6 – Aerospace Engineer (degree)

Currently there aren’t degree apprenticeships in manufacturing, however, they are being developed and you can still work in the industry through other means. For example, there are degree apprenticeships in supply chain, a sector closely linked to manufacturing.

Is a degree apprenticeship up your street? We’ll help you know!

University

The engineering and manufacturing industries are also suited to people considering going to university. If you choose this option, you’ll be spending your time going to lectures, learning academic knowledge about the industry and getting involved with hands-on projects – important information you can apply to your career when you graduate. You’ll also be able to pick what units or topics you’d like to study and specialise in. For example, if product design is more up your street, you can tailor your degree to that area!

Whether you’re interested in a more practical role or not, it is recommended that you look at degree courses that offer industrial placements or years in industry, these enable you get an understanding of what it’s like from the inside too. Also, engineering and manufacturing employers love experience…

• General Engineering BEng (Hons)
• Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEng (Hons)
• Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons)
• Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons)
• Electronic and Electronic Computer Engineering Meng (Hons)
• Aerospace Engineering BEng (Hons)
• Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering BEng (Hons)
• Manufacturing Engineering BEng (Hons)
• Engineering Design and Manufacture BSc (Hons)

Want to find out what University could offer you? We have your back!

Graduate Jobs

Engineering and manufacturing industries are huge employers of suitably qualified graduates ranging from space, biotechnology, automation and even robotics. Though there are large companies that hire engineering and manufacturing graduates, there are also plenty of smaller organisations that dominate the sector. Graduates have the chance to continue their training and gain a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) award. Graduate schemes and programmes are commonly offered by employers which will provide you the opportunity to gain the skills and experience in the workplace to succeed in the engineering and manufacturing industry. 

Want to know what graduate jobs are all about? We can help!

Other routes

Engineering and Manufacturing is an industry where you could go straight into a role from school, college or following a career in another industry. As a practical, hands-on sector, many roles are based on the physical skills you possess rather than specific qualifications. The industry also rewards people that stay within the sector, so you can look forward to promotions and developing your knowledge in different areas of the sector.

Find your perfect career in engineering and manufacturing!