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Engineering
“The engineer’s first problem in any design situation is to discover what the problem really is.” (Anon)
 Engineering is a huge sector. It offers a wide choice of careers at many different levels. Job prospects vary depending on:
- the type of engineering you do
- the level you go in at
- the industry you work in.
However, prospects are generally very good. There is the chance to travel and work abroad, especially for professional engineers. There are still not enough women in engineering so lots of organisations offer support and encouragement to female applicants.
The achievements of engineers are all around! We have them to thank for:
- satellite technology
- electronic tagging devices to keep track of offenders
- systems to prevent pollution
- infrared technology to brown the tops of our ready meals.
Engineers use science and technology to come up with the answers to practical problems. They design, develop, build, fix and put together all types of things. There are all sorts of engineers working in hundreds of different industries.
The engineering sector in Scotland employs around 93,000 people across 4,120 establishments, accounting for 4% of the Scottish workforce and 7% of all engineering employment in the UK. The engineering construction sector (see 'Construction') employs a further 262,500 people, 11% of the Scottish workforce. Job prospects are good. Although levels of employment are likely to fall slightly between 2010 and 2016, people leaving the sector will need to be replaced.
The science, engineering and manufacturing technologies sector includes, amongst others, the production of tyres, machinery, metal products and electronic goods. The largest employers are in electronics, metal products and mechanical equipment.
Employment rates for engineering graduates are higher than average. Women are still under-represented in engineering at all levels; 81% of the engineering workforce in Scotland is male.
The jobs in this career area are split into 7 sectors:
- General
- Aeronautical
- Chemical and materials
- Electrical and electronic
- Mechanical and manufacturing
- Naval architecture and marine
- Offshore engineering and mining.
For information on civil engineering see the career area 'Construction'.
Engineers also need ‘soft skills’ to do their jobs well. This includes skills such as:- communicating with fellow workers and customers
- planning projects
- organising and supervising a team
- writing reports
- giving presentations.
Some jobs, for example gas service engineer, mean you have to deal with the public. So you must be polite, friendly and a good listener!
For more information on engineering take a look at Discover Engineering, a not-for-profit website designed to showcase the best website resources for young engineers. Visit it at: http://www.discoverengineering.co.uk/
You can work at different levels in engineering. Some jobs are more difficult than others and need more training and experience. There are roughly 5 levels from operative to chartered engineer level, although there is a bit of overlap in most jobs. You can usually progress from one level to another by getting more qualifications and experience.
Level 1 – Operative. You do not need qualifications for most operative jobs, but some employers may look for a few Standard grades. You might train to Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) Level 1 or 2.
Level 2 – Craft. You normally need a group of Standard grades, usually including English, Maths and a science or technology subject. You will train to SVQ Level 2 and 3.
Level 3 – Technician. You normally need 4 or 5 Standard grades including English, Maths, a science subject (preferably Physics or technological studies) or a technological subject. Some employers may also look for one or more Highers. You will train to SVQ Level 3.
Level 4 - Incorporated engineer. You will need an accredited Bachelors degree in engineering or technology, or a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND) in engineering or technology plus appropriate further learning to Bachelors degree level.
Level 5 - Chartered engineer. You will need an accredited Bachelors degree with honours in engineering or technology plus further relevant learning to Masters degree level, or an accredited integrated Master of Engineering (MEng) degree.
Sources
The Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies (SEMTA) - Scotland Report: Skills and the future of engineering in Scotland, February 2010 (http://www.semta.org.uk/)
Prospects 'Engineering and building management' What do graduates do? (2008) at http://www.prospects.ac.uk/
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