From The Student Room

TSR Wiki > Careers > Career Options > Engineering and manufacturing

---

Thanks to Springboard for the original content of this page, now updated by TSR users.

Sectors of the engineering industry are doing really well but, partly because of low-cost products from abroad compared with the cost of products made here, manufacturing is doing less well.

Although manufacturing is going through a tough spell (according to lots of people, it’s been on a downward slump for years), it still brings in billions of pounds to the country and employs a few million people.

The industry is about much more than bridges, cars and tools. It also covers anything from food and drink - the biggest manufacturing sector in the UK - to clothing, drugs and medical equipment, and computers.

Opportunities available

There are many sectors. A number have very limited opportunities because they are in decline or have passed their peak, such as shipbuilding. Other areas, including some other parts of the transport sector, have increasing opportunities.

Entry requirements

If you’re able to take an engineering degree (many options are possible: mechanical, civil, chemical, software to name just a few), then you’ll have loads of options.

It’s likely that more and more women will enter the industry, especially when they realise the excellent salaries that can be earned!

Jobs are also available for people with lower-level qualifications but you will often be expected to study further once working.

Some jobs are technical, others practical and others still are more concerned with managing projects or organising staff.

Courses may have periods of work experience built in.

Future trends

Increasing opportunities may be available to work overseas, such as in oil and gas exploration (though many engineers are working on things like wind power and getting energy from waves).

Engineering is also getting more involved in medical matters, which could dramatically improve people’s quality of life.