Interested in a career in engineering? If so, engineering offers a very
wide variety of types of career across a multitude of sectors, so there
is bound to be something of interest. <br><br>
Engineering as a whole essentially refers to a wide swathe of employment
types, all of which require the practical implementation of science and
mathematics to solve problems. Engineers could spend a large amount of
their day working on computers in an office, in a practical lab, or on a
building site – the choice is wide and varied, and skills are often
very transferable. <br><br>
Whilst anyone can call themselves an engineer in the UK, there are some
professional titles - Engineering Technician (EngTech), Incorporated
Engineer IEng), Chartered Engineer (CEng) and ICT Technician (ICTTech) -
which may only be used by those who are registered with the Engineering
Council. These qualifications are not industry specific; they relate
more to the level of experience, and sometimes the education, that
employees have within all engineering disciplines, and are acquired
through a mixture of work and qualifications. <br><br><h2>Multitude of sectors require engineering talent</h2>
<br>
Many different sectors require the skills of an engineer. Engineers can
be employed not only in highly technical roles, but also within
manufacturing, sales, production and management; engineering experience
can be the doorway to many other careers. <br><br>
In practical terms, this could mean spending the working day designing,
developing and testing engines for use in cars or aeroplanes; it could
mean maintaining and improving the systems that run an oil rig and make
it a safe working environment, or it could mean working within the
construction industry, turning architect and a surveyor’s plans into
reality as a civil engineer. <br><br>
Engineers can enter the industry as unskilled trainees, or as
experienced graduates; good maths skills are important though, as well
as written and spoken English. <br><br><h2>Key skills in common</h2>
<br>
All engineers will, however, have some skills in common; engineering
employers will be looking for evidence of logical thinking combined with
practical problem-solving skills, as well the ability to clearly
communicate solutions verbally as well as in the form of written reports
and presentations. <br><br>
Prospective engineers will be expected to be able to work easily with a
wide cross section of other trades, so candidates need to be able to
demonstrate good teamwork, as well as self-motivation and a willingness
to take on responsibility. <br><br>
There are a variety of routes to becoming an engineer, and it’s possible
for both graduates and non-graduates to have great success in the
sector. For example, those without qualifications can still acquire
accreditation as an ICT Technician – an engineer who supports or
facilitates the use of ICT equipment by others – through demonstrating
sufficient relevant work experience. <br><br>
School leavers can enter into this type of role, whilst becoming a
Chartered Engineer (someone who designs and develops solutions to
engineering problems, such as more energy efficient engines) is
generally achieved through a combination of an accredited degree and
then relevant experience.