Engineering is the way in which we design and produce many of the things which we use every day; from the cars we drive, the way we communicate, the power that we use to heat and light our homes to the food we eat. When most people think of engineering they imagine heavy industry in a dirty and oily environment but this is very far from the modern reality; products such as microchips and computers are also the result of engineering. There are many additional roles in maintenance, servicing and repair. The skills needed for engineering are problem solving, practical skills and team work. Ability in maths, sciences or technology is important.
Learn more about the Automotive industry in the North East: Real Help North East
An overview of the regional Energy industry: Real Help North East
For information on Apprenticeships in Engineering follow the link here
Factsheet on SEMTA the Sector skills Council for Science Engineering and Technology: Skills North East
For more information visit:
SEMTA: www.semta.org.uk
Engineering Council UK: www.engc.org.uk
Engineering and Technology Board: www.etechb.co.uk
Careers Information: www.scenta.co.uk, www.enginuity.org.uk
Women’s Engineering Society: www.wes.org.uk
The Women into Science, Engineering and Construction Campaign: www.wisecampaign.org.uk
Jobs within this section
Design engineers may produce designs for new products or find ways to improve existing ones. They could develop designs for machinery or equipment, transport, computer technology, etc. Designers used computer aided design programmes to create drawings which can be moved and manipulated in a simulation of the real thing. In some complex machines every individual component has been designed. Few innovations are created by a single designer so most designers work as part of a team.
For more information visit:
The Institution of Engineering Designers- www.ied.org.uk
SEMTA- www.semta.org.uk
Engineering Council UK- www.engc.org.uk
Engineering and Technology Board- www.etechb.co.uk
Aeroplanes are complex machines which are exposed to great stresses during flight. Their manufacture and maintenance is the responsibility of aerospace engineers. Jobs are available in both military and civilian roles. The development of a new aeroplane such as the Eurofighter involves hundreds of engineers to work on developing the different operating systems. Maintenance and repair is ongoing the engineers must be able to see where faults might occur and undertake maintenance and repair to ensure that nothing fails. There are few opportunities in the UK and European Space industry; those that do exist require a very high level of qualification and fitness.
For more information visit:
SEMTA- www.semta.org.uk
Engineering Council UK- www.engc.org.uk
Royal Aeronautical Society- www.aerosociety.com
Defence Engineering and Science Group- www.desg.mod.uk
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory- www.dstl.gov.uk
British Airways- www.britishairwaysjobs.com
BAE Systems- www.baesystems.com
The British National Space Centre- www.bnsc.gov.uk
NATS- www.natscareers.co.uk
Society of British Aerospace Companies- www.sbac.co.uk
European Space Agency- www.esa.int
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Land based engineers are linked to agriculture, forestry, gardening and crop production. Jobs include: Manufacturing engineers working for companies producing agricultural and horticultural machinery. Maintenance engineering maintaining, servicing and repairing faults on the equipment. There are also opportunities in sales and at technician level carrying our basic maintenance.
For more information visit:
ILantra- www.lantra.co.uk
Institution of Agricultural Engineers - www.iagre.org
BAGMA - www.bagma.com
Information on Apprenticeships in Land Based Engineering can be found HERE!
►Working in the Motor Industry
Jobs into the motor industry for engineers and technicians exist in all areas:
►Designers to design of vehicles engines and components
►Servicing, maintenance and repair
►Repair of bodywork including paintwork
►Fast-fit of tyres and exhausts
►Parts and spares
►Sales and administration
►Opportunities could be in working with heavy goods vehicles, buses, cars, motorcycles, military vehicles, etc.
For more information visit:
The Institute of the Motor Industry- www.motor.org.uk
The IMI’s Dedicated Careers Website- www.autocity.org.uk
The Society of Operations Engineers- www.soe.org.uk
Retail Industry Motor Industry Training- www.remit.co.uk
Motor Industry news and vacancies- www.autowired.co.uk
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders- www.smmt.co.uk
Motorcycle and Cycle Maintenance and Repair
The Institute of the Motor Industry- www.motor.org.uk
Retail Industry Motor Industry Training- www.remit.co.uk
Association of Cycle Traders- www.thecyclingexperts.co.uk
ATG Training- www.atg-training.co.uk
PJCs- www.pjcsonline.co.uk
Information on Apprenticeships in Motor Vehicle Engineering can be found HERE, Motor Vehicle Fitting can be found HERE and Paint and Body Repair HERE
►Fast-Fit Services
For more information visit:
The Institute of the Motor Industry- www.motor.org.uk
The IMI’s Dedicated Careers Website- www.autocity.org.uk
Retail Industry Motor Industry Training- www.remit.co.uk
The Independent e-zine Career Driven- www.independentezines.co.uk/careerdriven.php
Information on Apprenticeships in Motor Vehicle Fitting can be found HERE!
►Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair
For more information visit:
The Institute of the Motor Industry- www.motor.org.uk
The IMI’s Dedicated Careers Website- www.autocity.org.uk
The Independent e-zine Career Driven- www.independentezines.co.uk/careerdriven.php
The Society of Operations Engineers- www.soe.org.uk
Information on Apprenticeships in Motor Vehicle Maintenence and Repair can be found HERE! and Paint and Body Repair HERE
►Vehicle Engineering and Design
For more information visit:
SEMTA- www.semta.org.uk
Engineering Council UK- www.engc.org.uk
Engineering and Technology Board- www.etechb.co.uk
Careers Information- www.scenta.co.uk, www.enginuity.org.uk
MIRA Ltd- www.mira.co.uk
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd- www.smmt.co.uk
The Society of Operations Engineers- www.soe.org.uk
►Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineers create products from raw materials or chemical elements. Many of the products that we use every day such as plastics, man made fibres, cosmetics and drugs. A new product is created in the laboratory, tested, and developed into a finished product. Work has to them be undertaken to ensure that it is safe and can be produced in large enough quantities.
For more information visit:
Institution of Chemical Engineers- www.icheme.org
Information on careers, jobs etc- www.whynotchemeng.com
Electrical engineers work with electrical energy. This can be in power, lighting, communications, heating, etc. Many opportunities exist in the electrical supply industry working for power generation companies and the national grid. Opportunities also exist in: the manufacturing industry making and testing electrical equipment, computers and communications equipment; transport manufacturing and maintenance; the construction industry for services to buildings and in hospitals.
For more information visit:
SEMTA- www.semta.org.uk
Energy & Utility Skills- www.euskills.co.uk
Women into Science, Engineering and Construction- www.wisecampaign.org.uk
Institution of Engineering and Technology- www.theiet.org
The Chartered Institution of Buildings Services Engineers- www.cibse.org
Society of Light and Lighting- www.sll.org.uk
Lighting Education Trust- www.lighting-education-trust.org
Institution of Lighting Engineers- www.ile.org.uk
Women’s Engineering Society- www.wes.org.uk
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►Electrical Installation and Maintenance
Electrical installation is involved with the heating and lighting of buildings. This can include the laying of cables and wiring in building. In commercial buildings it can include planning the layout of wiring and power supplies following wiring diagrams. In private homes the job of electrician is one of installing maintaining and repairing electrical cables, they may work with other trades-people such as plumbers, bricklayers and plasterers in new-build housing.
For more information visit:
JTL- www.jtltraining.com
SummitSkills- www.summitskills.org.uk
Electrical Contractors’ Association- www.eca.co.uk
Information about careers in building services engineering- www.goodday.org.uk
Sound Recording
Joint Audio Media Education Services- www.jamesonline.org.uk
Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union- www.bectu.org.uk
Professional Lighting & Sound Association- www.plasa.org
Creative & Cultural Skills- www.creative-choices.co.uk
Electronic engineers are involved with microprocessors and the technology around silicon chips. These are used in industrial computerises and robotic systems, personal computers, mobile phones and other digital devices. Specialist area if electronic engineering include: cybernetics involved with systems and their control; mechatronics the use of computers to control mechanical systems; robotics the replacement of a process robots. Jobs may be available in industry, the armed forces, telecommunications and hospitals at engineer and technician level.
For more information visit:
SEMTA- www.semta.org.uk
Institution of Engineering and Technology- www.theiet.org
Women into Science, Engineering and Construction- www.wisecampaign.org.uk
Careers Information- www.scenta.co.uk, www.enginuity.org.uk
Computer engineer’s work with computers, they may work in design of computer systems, production, installation, maintenance and repair. Computer engineers are involved in the hardware of the computer and their work tends to be in the design and development of new systems or research. They may develop completely new computer systems to meet the needs of the customer. Technician level roles involve the installation and maintenance of computer systems.
For more information visit:
e-skills UK- www.e-skills.com/careers
SEMTA- www.semta.org.uk
Women into Science, Engineering and Construction- www.wisecampaign.org.uk
Communication is the sending and receiving of information, to be able to do this signals have to be transmitted electronically using fibre optics, satellites and sending and receiving systems such as the internet, phones and e-mail. Engineers are highly qualified and may work on developing new technology. They may work for some of the big names in communications such as phone companies. Technicians undertake installation, and maintenance roles.
For more information visit:
e-skills UK- www.e-skills.com/careers
SEMTA- www.semta.org.uk
Women into Science, Engineering and Construction- www.wisecampaign.org.uk
Medical engineers develop and work on complex pieces of medical equipment such as MRI scanners or dialysis machines. The NHS is supported by more medical machinery than ever before, heart monitors, scanners, anaesthetic equipment all need to be developed and maintained. Medical engineers are also involved in the design of artificial limbs and replacement joints. They work closely with the professional teams who will be using the equipment to ensure that they meet the needs of the hospital.
See also medical roles in section J
For more information visit:
SEMTA- www.semta.org.uk
Institute if Physics and Engineering in Medicine- www.ipem.ac.uk
Institute of Medical Engineers- www.imeche.org
NHS Careers- www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
Information on careers in engineering- www.enginuity.org.uk
Careers in the energy industry involve working in the energy generation industry, in power stations, in distribution and supply, putting in pipelines and cables, installing meters and in the search for renewable or sustainable energy. Jobs are available at craft; technician and engineer level in power generation, pipe laying, fitting and line working in supply, there are also scientific, research and manual roles available. Jobs in renewable energy include engineers, scientists and technicians working on current and future technology.
For more information visit:
Energy & Utility Skills- www.euskills.co.uk
Cogent- www.cogent-careers.com
Engineering Council UK- www.engc.org.uk
Careers Information- www.scenta.co.uk, www.enginuity.org.uk
Energy Institute- www.energyinst.org.uk
The Institute of Engineering and Technology- www.theiet.org
The Nuclear Institute- www.nuclearinst.com
The British Wind Energy Association- www.bwea.com
Renewable Energy Association- www.r-e-a.net
British Energy- www.british-energy.com
E.ON UK- www.eon-uk.com/careers
RWE npower- www.rwenpower.com
Scottish Power- www.scottishpower.jobs
►Working inDistribution and Supply
For more information visit:
Energy & Utility Skills- www.euskills.co.uk
Careers Information- www.scenta.co.uk, www.enginuity.org.uk
Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers- www.igem.org.uk
British Gas Service- www.britishgasacademy.co.uk
National Grid- www.nationalgrid.com/freshtalent
Websites with links to energy supply companies- www.gas-guide.org.uk, www.electricity-guide.org.uk
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Marine engineers can be employed by the Royal Navy, the merchant navy, shipbuilding and shipping companies or the offshore industry. Craft and technician level jobs involve mainly maintenance, repair and testing. Incorporated Engineers supervise work in progress and Chartered Engineers are usually involved in design of new ships, research and development to improve processes or performance.
For more information visit:
The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology- www.imarest.org
Society for Underwater Technology- www.sut.org.uk
Careers at Sea- www.careersatsea.org
The Marine Society & Sea Cadets- www.ms-sc.org
Royal Navy- www.royal-navy.mod.uk
Defence Engineering and Science Group- www.desg.mod.uk
SEMTA- www.semta.org.uk
The International Marine Contractors Association- www.imca-int.com
Careers Information- www.scenta.co.uk, www.enginuity.org.uk
Mechanical engineers are found in most industries and in the armed forces, they may be involved in the development of new products or the machinery to manufacture them. Much of the work is computer based either designing or using mechanised processes. Jobs are available and operative, craft, technician and engineer level.
For more information visit:
Institute of Mechanical Engineers- www.imeche.org
SEMTA- www.semta.org.uk
Engineering and Technology Board- www.etechb.co.uk
Information on careers in the industry- www.scenta.co.uk, www.enginuity.org.uk
Quarrying is the extraction of stone, slate, chalk and gravel. Explosives may be used to break up the rock face into manageable pieces which can then be used in construction, road building, landscaping and as raw materials for industry. Jobs can include drivers for plant machinery, engineers, machine operators, explosives experts, etc
For more information visit:
The Institute of Quarrying- www.quarrying.org
Quarry Products Association- www.qpa.org
Careers Information- http://www.careersinquarrying.co.uk
EPIC Training and Consulting Services Ltd- www.epicltd.com
Proskills- www.proskills.co.uk
►The Offshore Oil and Gas Industry
For more information visit:
Cogent SSC- www.cogent-careers.com
Information on the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry Technician Training Scheme- www.oilandgastechnicians.com
OPITO- The Oil and Gas Academy- www.opito.com
Careers Information- www.oilandgas4u.com, www.energyzone.net, www.oilcareers.com
The UK Offshore Oil and Gas Industry- www.oilandgas.org.uk
Energy Institute- www.energyinst.org.uk
The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology- www.imarest.org
Society for Underwater Technology- www.sut.org.uk
The International Marine Contractors Association- www.imca-int.com/careers
►Mining and Minerals Engineering
The cola industry in the UK has declined over the past 20 years, but mining for metal or mineral ore is still strong worldwide. Mining engineers search out sites for new mines and investigate their potential by research and testing the rock. Mines may be on the surface, drift mines which have straight shafts cut into hillsides or deep mines which require shafts to be sunk down into the earth, each requires different skills to work out how to recover most of the ore cost effectively.
For more information visit:
Engineering Council UK- www.engc.org.uk
Engineering and Technology Board- www.etechb.co.uk
Proskills- www.proskills.co.uk
Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining- www.iom3.org
Celtic Energy Ltd- www.coal.com
UK COAL plc- www.ukcoal.com
Links to industry and training information- www.uk-rocks.net
For more information visit:
The Institute of Engineering and Technology- www.theiet.org
SEMTA- www.semta.org.uk
The Society of Operations Engineers- www.soe.org.uk
Information on careers- www.scenta.co.uk,
For more information visit:
Royal Institution of Naval Architects- www.rina.org.uk
The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology- www.imarest.org
Defence Engineering and Science Group- www.desg.mod.uk
►Shipbuilding and Boatbuilding
Shipbuilding and boatbuilding involves taking designs and using wood metal and fibreglass to crate a vessel. Ship and boat builders are also involved in refurbishing and repairing ships and boats. Jobs may be at craft, technician or engineer level. Naval architects produce the designs and plans for shipbuilders and boatbuilders to work from. Jobs may be with private companies, shipping companies, the ministry of defence, etc
For more information visit:
British Marine Federation- www.britishmarine.co.uk
SEMTA- www.semta.org.uk
Engineering and Technology Board- www.etechb.co.uk
The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology- www.imarest.org.uk
Royal Institution of Naval Architects- www.rina.org.uk
Shipbuilders & Ship Repairers Association- www.ssa.org.uk
For more information visit:
Engineering and Technology Board-www.scenta.co.uk
For more information visit:
SEMTA- www.semta.org.uk
Engineering and Technology Board- www.etechb.co.uk
e-skills UK- www.e-skills.com/careers
The Institution of Engineering and Technology- www.theiet.org
Machinery has to be maintained and serviced in order to keep it in good working condition. Maintenance/ service technicians may have to respond quickly to a breakdown or carry out regular scheduled services. Tasks include installing new parts, calibrating setting, lubricating working parts and testing equipment. Most industries which use machinery will have maintenance engineers or technicians to service them. There may be opportunities visiting homes and offices for example: washing machine servicing and repair, photocopiers and office equipment servicing and repair.
For more information visit:
Domestic Appliance Service Association- www.dasa.org.uk
SEMTA- www.semta.org.uk
►Welding, Sheet Metalwork and Spray-painting
Metalworkers are employed in a number of industries, from the construction of steel framed buildings to the manufacture of vehicles.Jobs may be at engineer or technician level and include:
Welders, who use heat to join metal together in the construction industry, shipbuilding, engineering and manufacturing. Sheet Metalworkers; fabricate products from sheet metal by cutting, bending, drilling and joining. Spray painting is a finishing process for metalwork (but also wood) such as in car manufacture where paint is sprayed on in several fine layers to protect the exposed surface of the car.
For more information visit:
SEMTA- www.semta.org.uk
Engineering Construction Industry Training Board- www.ecitb.org.uk,
ECITB apprenticeships- www.goengineer.com
TWI Ltd- www.twi.co.uk/careers
The Institute of the Motor Industry- www.motor.org.uk
Jewellery making and repair involves fine work on delicate and precious pieces of jewellery. The work involves using heat to shape the metal and join parts. Jewellery making may involve gem polishing and setting or working with designers to come up with a finished piece.
For more information visit:
British Jewellers Association- www.bja.org.uk
The Institute of Professional Goldsmiths- www.ipgold.org.uk
The Assay Office- www.theassayoffice.co.uk
Crafts Council- www.craftscouncil.org.uk
Horologists make service and restore clocks and watches. They may be or work alongside jewellery makers.
For more information visit:
British Horological Institute- www.bhi.co.uk
Birmingham City University- www.biad.bcu.ac.uk
West Dean College- www.westdean.org.uk
The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers- www.clockmakers.org
