Parents’ guide to engineering careers

What is an engineer?Engineersapplyscientificandmathematicalprinciplesplustheknowledgetheyhaveinaspecificengineeringfieldtomakethingsworkandtosolveproblems.

Engineering is behind everything. Frommobilephonesandtrainers,tothecaryoutravelin,theroadsyoutravelonorthetechnologythattrafficcontrollersusetokeepussafeintheskies.

Engineerscouldbedesigningcolour-matchingtechnologytodeterminethebestmakeupfordifferentskintones,findinginnovativesolutionsforpoorercountriestoprovidepowerandcleandrinkingwaterorworkingaspartofateamtoimprovetheperformanceofartificialhipjoints.

Why engineering?

Are there any engineering jobs

in the UK?Yes there are, engineering businesses and the

products of engineering make up a significant part

of the UK economy. Of the 2.1 million businesses in

the UK, 550,000 are engineering businesses

employing 5.6 million people, which represents

19% of the UK workforce. Furthermore the engineering

sector will need 2.2 million employees over the next

5-10 years.

Engineers are needed at all levels from apprentices,

technicians, to graduates and post-postgraduates in

a wide range of sectors. Alongside the well-known

success stories of aerospace and pharmaceuticals,

strong growth can also be seen in manufacturing

of transport equipment (including automotive),

mechanical equipment, medical and precision

instruments, other non-metallic equipment

and recycling.

In the built environment, engineers are at the

forefront of finding solutions to problems such

as water shortage, flood protection, transportation,

waste management and energy, as well as

outstanding design achievements such as the

Shard and the Olympics site.

Where do engineers work?

The type of manufacturing that takes place in the

UK has changed and today engineers are much

less likely to be found in factories. Much of the

manufacturing today is advanced manufacturing;

it is closely linked with technology, and engineers

play a major role in many technological devices

and advances. Engineers are more likely to be

found in design offices, research and development

laboratories and out in the field (for example

construction sites, airports, underground or at sea).

What are the employment

prospects like for engineers?

After graduation, approximately 70% of engineers

are immediately employed in engineering, science

and technology based roles; the remainder pursue

careers in other sectors, take up gap years or pursue

further study. A very low number are unemployed

after graduation.

Long term employment prospects are also positive

with only 6% of registered engineers being

unemployed over a 12 month period commencing in

2010 - during a period of very low economic growth.

There is currently a shortage of engineers, especially

engineering technicians. It is estimated that 200,000

manufacturing technicians will be needed over the

next 10 year period (commencing 2007) to plug the

skills gap, with many engineering technicians retiring

over the same period.

Engineers are not only needed in the UK. Globally

engineers are being employed to find innovative

solutions to a wide range of problems including

finding sustainable power sources, reducing

pollution, and improving safety in our homes and

methods of transport.

What else can you do with

engineering qualifications?

Scientific, analytical, numeracy and problem solving

skills are very highly valued by employers so

engineering and technology based qualifications are

incredibly transferable and sought after. Engineers

can also be found working in finance, IT, teaching

and project and senior management roles in a wide

variety of public and private organisations.

How much do engineers

get paid?Engineering graduates start out earning on average

£24-27,000 (compared to £23,000 earned by graduates

working in accountancy or professional services).

In most industries, by studying to degree level, you

earn more over your career than those starting

jobs straight from A levels. It’s estimated that a

graduate could earn around £108,000 more during

their working life (taking all industries into account).

Engineering graduates actually earn more than the

average (£144,000 more over their working life) with

professionally registered Chartered Engineers (CEng)

enjoying average salaries of £62,386 during their career.

For those who study for apprenticeships and

other vocational routes, then work as Engineering

Technicians, the approximate mean salary is £26,440.

How can you

find work experience in

engineering?

Providingevidenceofreleva

ntworkexperienceonaCV

can

provideausefulboostwhen

applyingforbothcoursesa

ndjobs.

Forthosestillatschoolorcol

legetherewillbeacareers

contact

thatdealswithworkexperie

nceplacements.Iftheyareu

nable

tofindasuitableplacement

thereareseveralorganisatio

ns

thatmaybeabletohelp.

Moreinformationandusefu

ltipsonhowtofindwork

experiencecanbefoundat

www.tomorrowsengineers.

org.uk/workexperience

Are there professional engineering qualifications?CharteredEngineershaveobtainedarecognisedprofessionalqualificationandareabletousethelettersCEngaftertheirname.OtherlevelsofregistrationincludeIncorporatedEngineers(IEng),EngineeringTechnicians(EngTech)andICTTechnicians(ICTTech).Contactdetailsfortheengineering institutions canbefoundattheendofthisleaflet.

Which subjects are needed?Engineeringrequiresyoutoapplymathsandscience

principles;thereforemathsandsciencesubjects,particularlyphysicsareessentialforengineeringcareers.

Forengineeringatuniversityyouwillneedgoodgradesinbothmaths

andphysicsAlevel(orequivalent).Forchemicalengineeringatuniversity

youwillneedchemistryAlevel(orequivalent)andforsomecoursesboth

physicsandchemistryplusmaths.ComputerScienceandDesignand

Technologysubjectsareanadvantagebutnotessential.

Forapprenticeshipsandcollegecoursesgoodgradesinbothmathsand

scienceGCSE(orequivalent)areanadvantage.

Do you need to

go to university to be an engineer?

No.Engineersareemployedatalllevels.Other

routestoengineeringrolesincludetakingupan

apprenticeshiporstudyingatyourlocalfurther

educationcollege.

Thoseseekingauniversityeducationshouldfind

outwhethertheircoursehasbeenaccreditedbythe

EngineeringCouncil.Thismeansthattheywillbeable

topursueprofessionalregistrationbybecoming

amemberofaninstitution.

Moreinformationaboutaccredited courses

canbefoundattheendofthisleaflet.

How do you get

into engineering?

Are there any

scholarships or awards

to help with funding?

Severalorganisationsoffers

cholarships/bursariesfor

youngpeoplewantingtopu

rsueanengineeringcareer

orawards/grantsforthosea

lreadyworkinginengineeri

ng

andscience–manyofwhic

hinvolveamonetaryprize.

Moreinformationcanbefo

undat

www.tomorrowsengineers.

org.uk/grants

Mor

e info

www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk

Find out more More information about careers in engineering and careers that use science and maths can be found on the following key websites.

Tomorrow’s Engineers – information about careers in engineering www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk

Engineering Council – links to the professional engineering institutions for more specific information on many types of engineering including mechanical, civil, electronic/electrical, structural, chemical, aeronautical and building services and the accredited course search www.engc.org.uk

Future Morph – information about careers from science, engineering, technology and maths www.futuremorph.org

Maths Careers – information about careers using mathematics www.mathscareers.org.uk

Digital/Technology Careers – information about careers using technology www.bigambition.co.uk

Physics.org – your guide to physics on the web www.physics.org

Visit science and technology fairs, events and museums that explore the application of science, technology, engineering and maths in innovative ways:

• The Big Bang Fair (National and Regional events) www.thebigbangfair.co.uk

• The Science Museum www.sciencemuseum.org.uk

• Science festivals www.britishcouncil.org

• Museums and heritage sites across the UK www.24hourmuseum.org.uk

• Days out in your area www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk

www.ice.org.uk www.theiet.org www.imeche.org

Look out for science and maths related TV programmes:

• ScienceontheBBCwww.bbc.co.uk/science

• Channel4Scienceprogrammeswww.channel4.com

Take advantage of residential and other in school opportunities for young people:

• Visiting speakers STEM Ambassadors www.stemnet.org.uk

• After school clubs www.stemclubs.net and www.youngeng.org

• Residential and extra-curricular activities www.stemdirectories.org.uk

Find everything you need @

These careers information resources have been developed by Tomorrow’s Engineers,

the Institution of Engineering and Technology, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers,

and the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Encouraging

young engineers