Manufacturing : Entry and progression

How do I find a job?

• Many manufacturing industries are dominated by several large graduate recruiters. They have comprehensive websites and well-designed graduate training schemes. They often visit graduate and internship fairs and host university presentations to source future employees. These organisations usually start their recruitment campaign one year in advance of the starting date, and some have early closing dates.
• The industry is also characterised by hundreds of small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) - see typical employers. They rarely offer graduate training schemes and advertise year-round, usually via university careers services, relevant academic departments and the local press. It is always worthwhile applying speculatively to SMEs.
• Specialist press and websites such as New Scientist Jobs , Nature Jobs , The Career Engineer , Packaging Futures  and TCE Today  advertise jobs. They also publish industry news, which is useful for keeping up to date and for researching industries and companies in preparation for applications and interviews.
• Job vacancies in manufacturing and processing are also handled by specialist recruitment agencies, including Thomas Telford Recruitment , Griffon , Matchtech , Focus Graduates , Food Industry Careers - UK food jobs and Cranleigh Scientific .
• Professional bodies relevant to each industry offer careers information and/or advertise jobs. These include the The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) , the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) , the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) , the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) , the Royal Aeronautical Society  and the Food and Drink Federation . Attending industry events organised by a relevant professional body or trade association is a good way to meet and network with potential employers, make contacts and find out about opportunities.
• As manufacturing is a process that occurs across a wide variety of industries, see types of jobs for further information on specific roles, professional bodies, trade associations and recruitment practices.
• Careers services also advertise graduate vacancies and internship opportunities.
• Search job vacancies.

Find out more about job application advice.

What skills do I need?

Entry to graduate training schemes with leading global manufacturers is competitive and some will require a high degree classification and number of UCAS points. The application process typically consists of several stages, including online applications and psychometric tests, interviews and assessment centres.

Many other employers, however, such as small to medium-sized companies, are more flexible with regards to entry requirements.

In addition to technical knowledge, employers typically look for skills in the following areas:

• people management - teamwork, influencing, negotiation, leadership;
• communication - writing, presenting, computer literacy;
• organisation - time management, resilience, flexibility;
• thinking - problem solving, numeracy, creativity, judgement.

Employers also look for a genuine interest in and understanding of the industry, so it is important to keep up to date with the latest developments.

Internships, work experience, sports and societies, voluntary work and being an active student member of industry-related societies and professional bodies can help you to develop the skills sought by employers.

Where can I find work experience?

For many roles within manufacturing, obtaining relevant work experience is highly valuable and, in some cases, essential.

Increasingly, the biggest companies are offering internship or work placement programmes to attract future recruits before their final year. Competition for positions within large firms can be high so it is also worth approaching small companies to enquire about work experience. Opportunities with smaller firms are not always advertised, so it is a good idea to research companies you are interested in and apply speculatively.

Be aware that some manufacturing plants shut down over the summer, which may limit opportunities for summer vacation placements.

Organisations such as Step  provide opportunities for students and graduates to work with smaller firms on project-based work placement programmes.

Opportunities with smaller firms are not always advertised. Research companies you are interested in and apply via a CV and speculative letter.

For vacancies and advice, see work experience and internships .

Is postgraduate study useful?

This depends on the industry you are applying to, the product you will be working on, and how specialised the work is that you want to do.

• For business-related jobs, an undergraduate degree is usually sufficient.
• For some jobs in design and research and development, a Masters or a PhD is useful, and sometimes essential.
• Many of the more specialised science roles require a Masters or PhD.
• Increasingly, engineers applying for places on graduate schemes with large organisations are expected to have at least an undergraduate Masters degree (e.g. an MEng) to facilitate working towards chartership with relevant professional bodies.

Some companies support part-time postgraduate study alongside work, in order to assist your professional development.

For more specific advice on the qualifications required in particular industries and for individual roles, see types of jobs.

How can my career develop?

Most employers support graduate career development. For engineers, scientists, accountants and other professionals there is a formal career pathway. Each industry’s professional body has specific career development and continuing professional development (CPD) information and advice on its website.

Other career development opportunities include:

• skills and technical development courses;
• mentoring and networking;
• sponsorship for graduates requiring further qualifications at postgraduate/conversion level.

Promotion is dependent on gaining the appropriate practical experience and undergoing the relevant training, and sometimes on gaining professional qualifications and chartered or incorporated status. Speed of promotion can also depend on:

• being professionally and geographically flexible;
• developing contacts and raising external profile through participation in industry conferences and networks;
• active membership of the appropriate professional institutions.

Progression will also depend on your own ambitions. You may choose to progress on a technical, management or commercial path.

Gaining chartered or incorporated status will earn you recognition overseas as well as in the UK.