The engineering industry is vast and varied; the type of work will depend on the engineering pathway you choose.

To undertake an apprenticeship you must have good hand to eye coordination and must be capable of working hard and following instructions.  The ability to work as part of a team is essential.

Production Engineers

Involves work in either mechanical or electrical/electronic manufacturing.

Mechanical Production

Mechanical production engineers may use machines like lathes, milling or grinding machines to make components.

Another type of mechanical engineer is a Fitter.  A Fitter uses their skills to build, modify and repair machinery from simple things to large complex industrial systems.

Electrical/Electronic Engineers

You would be involved with making and testing electrical equipment in factories and would diagnose and repair faults on machines.

Mechanical Maintenance

Companies rely on their maintenance staff heavily to respond to machine breakdowns quickly and effectively so that they do not lose lots of money if production fails.  Once you have completed your apprenticeship, some companies may want you to work shifts or be “on-call” to react to any emergencies. 

Computer Aided Design (CAD) Engineers are office based and use computer packages to design and draw components and assemblies for mechanical and electrical engineers to make or to modify.  They are highly skilled and like other engineers, will have the opportunity to progress to a supervisory role or management.

Applicants who particularly enjoyed graphics at school may in interested in this area.

Construction

Construction engineers are usually office based and their roles can vary from surveyors, who travel around different sites to gather information for architects, to quantity surveyors who are responsible for costing projects and keeping a track on finances during building work.  There are also designers, similar to CAD engineers, who design and produce drawings for the construction industry.

Fabrication and Welding

Fabrication and welding are very manual jobs.  If you like working with your hands and getting dirty, this job is very much for you.  Fabrication is basically metalwork, whereas welding is joining metals using a range of different welding techniques such as MIG, TIG, MMA and Gas welding – all of which would become clearer when you started on one of our tailor made craft apprenticeship schemes.  Fabrication involves using tape measures to mark out different types of metals then drilling holes, cutting out shapes or rolling tubes, etc.  In some cases, you would go on-site fitting and welding things that you have made.  This is a very rewarding career and has good prospects and opportunities.