ENGINEERING YOUR FUTURE
More women are needed in the Engineering
&
£
Engineering is the practical application of science. Engineers are involved in the research and development, design, manufacturing and production of the machinery, products and systems of everyday life - from cars to hospital equipment; from computers to drilling rigs; from alternative energy to communication systems.
T
here are various branches of engineering, including: • aerospace and defence working with aircraft and space technology • automotive - cars, trucks and the systems they rely on • chemical and materials engineering using our basic natural resources, such as petroleum, natural gas and minerals, and converting them to products ranging from microchips to food products • electrical, electronics, telecommunications and power engineering - from nuclear power to television, and from computer systems to communication networks • manufacturing - systems in factories, including automated and computercontrolled machines • marine engineering and shipbuilding - ships, offshore platforms, other marine structures and the equipment installed on them • mechanical - designing components, machines and systems that involve the conversion and use of mechanical energy • petroleum - working on the exploration and production of oil and gas.
Amazing Fact
People work in engineering at all levels, ranging from operators who operate
18
BB
machinery and carry out assembly work, to professional engineers who use their experience to manage projects. Working hours depend on the job, CONTENTS BITS N BOBS WORLD OF WORK but are usually around 38 hours a week. Depending on the nature of the work, shift work may be required. Jobs may be “Around 1.5 indoors, in an office or factory, or outdoors. million Around 1.5 million people work in engineering-related jobs for large and people work small-scale manufacturing companies, in engineerspecialist engineering workshops, I WANT A... public ing-related STUDY ADVICE utilities such as electricity companies, CAREER AT SEA MONEY and product design and development jobs for large companies. Skilled people are highly and smallsought after and opportunities, especially scale manufor those with flexible skills or a strong grasp of new technology, are growing. facturing Engineering jobs exist throughout the UK companies, and abroad. specialist Women Into Science, Engineering TRAVEL ENTERTAINMENT HEALTH and Construction (WISE) say around 20 engineering per cent of engineering employees are workshops, female, but only six per cent of professional public engineers are female. Along with other Advic e organisations, they are working to utilities such encourage more women into engineering. as electricity Engineering jobs require people who companies, like maths and science, enjoy finding LIFEBYTE solutions to challengingFASHION problems, are and product COMPETITIONS practical and good communicators. design and Entry is possible through a number of development different entry routes. Training can begin straight from school with either academic or companies.” vocational qualifications. Apprenticeships combine work and study, and can lead to craft and technician jobs. Alternatively, taking a degree can open up opportunities for graduate entry. Engineering work usually offers excellent training and development prospects. With further study and qualifications it is possible to progress into a supervisory or a key’ was The term ‘disc joc 37. 19 in technical role, to the role first used of engineering technician, s The can openerswa and to Incorporated or r te af ar ye 48 d invente Chartered Engineer re we cans status. LS duced.
intro
LEAVINGSCHOOL.CO.UK
LEAVINGSCHOOL.CO.UK
19