Getting a graduate job in engineering and manufacturing

In order to achieve a graduate job in the industry, you'll need to tick a number of different boxes

Do I need a relevant degree?

A degree in an engineering or technology-related subject is usually necessary to work in this sector.

• Engineering - To gain employment as an engineer you will need a relevant degree. There can be flexibility between disciplines, but to move between areas you may need to complete a conversion course.
• Manufacturing - For product design or manufacturing-related jobs, a relevant degree is required.

However there are areas of this sector that will not require an engineering degree, such as finance and accounting, human resources (HR), management and marketing and communications.

What skills do employers want?

Graduate employers within the engineering and manufacturing sector require candidates with:

• analytical and problem-solving skills;
• awareness of statutory, industry and company health and safety practices applicable to the job role;
  innovation;
• a high standard of numeracy, literacy and computing skills;
• planning and organisation skills.

Where can I get work experience?

Employers in the engineering and manufacturing sector look favourably on those who have experience in the working environment, combined with the theoretical knowledge gained during a degree.

Many university courses in engineering and technology offer a placement year and lecturers will also know of work experience opportunities within the sector.

Some larger companies even offer paid internships to students, with the National Grid being one example.

To find work placements and internships in the engineering and manufacturing sector, search for work experience.

How do I find a graduate job in engineering?

There are a number of large employers who offer graduate schemes in engineering and manufacturing, such as BAE systems, Jaguar Land Rover, BP and Siemens. But there are also small to medium-sized employers that can hold local opportunities for graduates.

Large engineering and manufacturing companies also offer opportunities to work abroad as part of their graduate schemes.

You can search for jobs in specialist press, such as New Scientist or The Career Engineer, or through niche recruitment agencies.

In addition, professional bodies, for example the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology, often advertise vacancies.

To find jobs and graduate schemes in the engineering and manufacturing sector, search graduate jobs in engineering and manufacturing.