Engineering Career Routes
Engineering Careers
Graduate Route
The career ladder upwards would be Principal Engineer, Engineering Manager and in some cases Programme Manager position. Many High Tech company Senior Executives, Directors or Chief Engineer started life as Graduate or Technical Engineer. Most senior positions require Chartered Status though this is not compulsory.
Non-Graduate Route
The key message for anyone considering this route is that practical experience is just as valuable as theory and therefore even if your educational qualifications is limited you can still progress into a good engineering career.
Technical Operators and Craftsperson specialise in a specific practical skill such as Milling & Turning to make components or tools. Engineering Technicians combine practical with theory and creative skills for example to diagnose electronic faults or programme a robot to carry out manufacturing tasks. In some cases Engineering Technicians can progress to Project Leader or Team Leader and then onto Project Management or Technical Supervisor. There is also an opportunity for Technicians to advance their career as an Incorporated Engineer before progressing to become a fully qualified Engineer and following the Graduate Career Route above.
Employment Opportunities
Engineering contracts can be permanent with an annual salary or temporary sub-contract on a daily rate. However in most cases they are permanent and where they are temporary sub-contract this can be project based or for a duration of time (i.e. 6 months). Sub-contractor daily rates are usually more lucrative but contracts can be easily ended at short notice and therefore job security could be low when there isn’t much work in the industry.