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Engineering

The engineering sector offers a wealth of employment opportunities, both for Engineering graduates and for those looking for careers in areas such as technical sales, finance, human resources, procurement, and logistics. The Engineering Employers Federation boasts a membership of more than 6000 firms, employing close to a million people. Opportunities exist with major national and international engineering companies or manufacturing firms, as well as with smaller local contractors.

The sector is made up of several component industries which each provide a wide range of opportunities, such as:

- Built environment: growth in housing and increased investment in schools, hospitals and airports means that there are now significant opportunities for civil engineers (see the 'Build Environment' section for more information).

- Transport: continual upgrading of the UK's rail infrastructure and road networks also means more opportunities for civil, mechanical and electrical engineers.

- Telecommunications: openings are being created for electronic and mechanical engineers through the development of the next generation of mobile phones and the additional equipment that these will require.

- Manufacturing: although companies are increasingly moving their manufacturing bases abroad, opportunities continue to exist in the design of products such as electronic systems, as well as in the pharmaceutical industry. There are also still opportunities in the automobile industry.

- Energy: There are opportunities for engineers from varying disciplines in the electricity, gas and oil sectors, both in the UK and internationally. Opportunities are also increasing in the area of environmental protection and in the search for alternative energy sources.

- Defence & aerospace: Opportunities exist with the major companies that develop aircraft, satellites, missiles, and navigation and electronic guidance systems, as well as with the many smaller firms that supply them.


A diverse range of engineering opportunities is also on offer within the Yorkshire & Humber region. South Yorkshire for example contains some of the most advanced engineering companies in the world, making items ranging from swing bridges to ice skates, hip joints to Formula 1 engines. The latest regional report released by SEMTA, the sector skills council for engineering, showed that Yorkshire and the Humber had 6,300 engineering manufacturing establishments, employing 125,200 people, with Metal Products sector accounting for 45% of these establishments.

Useful links:

Engineering Council UK

Regulates the engineering profession in the UK.

Engineering & Technology Board

Acts as the voice for the Science, Engineering and Technology sector.

Engineering Employers Federation

Industry body for engineering and manufacturing employers.

Association of Consulting Engineers (ACE)

Represents the business interests of the consultancy and engineering industry in the UK.

Engineering Advancement South Yorkshire

Promotes engineering in South Yorkshire.

The Women's Engineering Society

Promotes the education, training and practice of engineering among women.

 

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