Frequently Asked Questions

We hope our answers will provide you with a better understanding of the huge range of opportunities that exist within engineering. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, you can always contact us via the link to the left of this page.

What is engineering?

Engineering is practical problem-solving. Engineers use the knowledge they have in a specific field to make things work and to solve problems. Engineers exist in all walks of life: transport, medicine, entertainment, space exploration, environmental management – you name it, engineers have worked on it.

What jobs are there in engineering?

Take your pick. There are jobs in a very wide range of specialities and roles at many levels from engineering technician to senior engineer, including management and research. Some are more specialist – for example, non-destructive testing – but many are very multi-disciplinary – robotics or materials development. Because technology is always moving on, engineers often change or widen their specialism during their careers, as well as their job roles. This is one of the reasons engineers enjoy their jobs so much! The roles we have covered here are just a snapshot of the many areas that you could consider as an engineer. Visit the Role Models section of this website for more information about jobs in engineering.

Do I have to be good at... physics/chemistry/mathematics?

Yes – Engineers do need to be good at maths as it is applied to a number of different engineering issues. Physics A Level (or equivalent) is usually required for university engineering courses, and a good understanding of maths and physics concepts is the basis for many engineering solutions. The good news is that whatever your interests at school, there is probably a branch of engineering that will match your desires and interests. For example, a bio-engineer working on the engineering of biological systems would need a good understanding of biology. A chemical engineer who manipulates raw materials to create everyday, useful products would need to be interested in chemistry. There are also plenty of routes into engineering – such as apprenticeships and vocational schemes – that focus more on your experience of practical problem-solving.

If I only choose science subjects, doesn’t that limit my options?

By choosing science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects you are most likely to widen your options later in life rather than narrow them. A wider range of careers would be open to you if you continue with STEM subjects post 16; if you discount STEM subjects after 16, it is very difficult to go back to study them if you change your mind later on. Science and mathematics are valued and useful for the majority of careers – and they are not by any means limiting.

Do I need to go to university to earn a good wage?

Nowadays being a graduate is no guarantee of a higher wage, but in general graduates do go on to earn more throughout their professional life. However, graduates also incur debt during their studies which may take a few years to pay off after graduation. One way to overcome this is to get onto a Bursary scheme run by many engineering employers which pay you an annual Bursary while you study, often in return for you agreeing to work for that company for a period of time.

If you decide not to go to university, taking up an industry apprenticeship straight from school carries the advantage that you earn a salary from day one, while you are training. And the vocational training that you receive during an apprenticeship can lead to a good wage as an engineering technician. See below and the Route Map in this pack for more information about engineering technicians (Eng Tech).

Those engineers on the best salaries are often professionally registered – there are three levels of professional engineering registration: Engineering Technicians (Eng Tech), Incorporated Engineers (IEng) and Chartered Engineers (CEng). See the Route Map on this site for more information about how to qualify for each professional level.

My Dad has a friend who is an engineer. He says it’s a dying industry − is it?

Put simply, no. Engineering is often associated with large-scale manufacturing and that sector is perceived as becoming less important to the UK economy. In fact, both these assumptions are incorrect. Engineering applies to all industries – from recordproducing to the financial services. And if you do choose to become an engineer in the manufacturing, production and construction industries it is worth noting that they actually represent over a quarter of the UK’s economy and accounted for nearly 60% of the UK’s exports in 2006*.

Is it a good job?

Yes. Engineering is incredibly rewarding – giving you the chance to work with likeminded individuals on complex projects to solve real problems for society. Engineers make a real difference to the world. Over the next few years engineers will find the solutions to a number of global problems – clean water, renewable energy, coastal protection. Engineers shape our lifestyles. They are the forefront of developing new medical solutions and new communications technologies.

Pay is also better than you might expect and coupled with the long-term stability and professional registration, engineering offers an excellent career package. In engineering there’s something for everyone. See the Route Map on this site for more information about professional recognition (registration).

Are there still apprenticeships in engineering?

Yes, there are. Apprentices make up a significant proportion of the people who go into engineering and there is a wide range on offer. Apprenticeships give people the opportunity to engage in work-based learning and to acquire the skills they need through practical experience. Whatever route into engineering you choose, employers are increasingly looking for some degree of work experience to prove you’ve got what it takes. If you are thinking of doing an apprenticeship, find out more information about engineering-specific apprenticeship schemes at www.apprenticeships.org.uk and all apprenticeships:

If you live in England
www.apprentices.co.uk

If you live in Scotland
www.careers-scotland.org.uk/Education/Training/ModernApprenticeship.asp

If you live in Wales
www.careerswales.com/youngpeople/
choices16/apprenticeships_training.asp

If you live in Northern Ireland
www.delni.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsni

Isn’t it just for men?

Absolutely not! Year-on-year the number of women working as engineers is increasing, as the range of career options available in design, television, mobile phones, medicine, materials, civil engineering and construction and more expands. Although it is true that the proportion of women in engineering is lower than men, huge strides are being made to ensure that the positive upward trend continues. For more information, please visit the Women Into Science, Engineering and Construction Campaign website at www.wisecampaign.org.uk

Will I get my hands dirty?

Only if you want to! Engineering encompasses a whole range of industries that might include on-site visits and practical construction work, or it might mean evaluating safety systems from the comfort of your office. Software engineers – who might work from home – are no more likely to get their hands dirty than bank managers. If you’re really worried about this one, why not become a chemical engineer and design a new soap to keep those pesky dirt particles at bay?

How much money do engineers earn?

Each industry sector is different, as is each individual engineering job within that industry. Nevertheless across the board, on average, professional engineers can expect to earn more than £10,000* per year over and above the national average salary. The prospects for employment and progression are also positive. A large proportion of engineering and technology (E&T) graduates end up working in E&T careers. Employment rates (those who enter full-time, paid employment after leaving university) for E&T graduates in 2007 were increasing annually and stood way above average at 62%. Unemployment rates for this same group were below 10%**. Research carried out in 2006 showed that 14 % of FTSE-100 top executives were qualified engineers.

How can I get work experience in engineering?

If you are still at school or college speak to your careers adviser/co-ordinator. They may have links with local companies and organisations that will be able to offer you work experience.

You may also find the following information useful.

If you are at school studying A levels then The Nuffield Foundation runs a summer Bursary scheme to provide funded work placements. These are known as science bursaries but cover engineering topics too. See: www.nuffieldfoundation.org/go/grants/nsbsc/page_394.html

If you are looking for a longer placement to occupy your gap year between school and university, the Engineering Development Trust runs the ‘Year in Industry’ scheme. See www.yini.org.uk

For more information about work experience visit the futher information page of this website.