NATIONAL CAREERS WEEK

BUILD THE FUTURE

Celebrate Careers in Industry

National Careers Week (NCWCIC) is a celebration of careers guidance and free resources in education across the UK. National Careers Week is the perfect platform to advise and inspire the next generation as they enter the world of work.

This National Careers Week we will be rolling our careers advice, different pathways into industry and some of our own personal career journeys into industry.

We have a dedicated Careers Team and encourage people to get in touch to discuss career pathways in industry.

What can I study at the Engineering College?

TRAINEESHIP

DURATION: 6 MONTHS

A natural feeder for an Apprenticeship, the traineeship offers a ‘round-robin’ of engineering disciplines, so you can try your hand at different engineering trades before choosing a career route that suits your interests and skills. A nationally recognised programme, this can give someone a good level of engineering experience and basic knowledge and skills to pursue a career in industry.

ITEC PROGRAMME

DURATION: 1 YEAR

The (ECITB Sponsored) Introduction to Engineering Construction (ITEC) Programme gives young people the relevant skills, knowledge and health & safety awareness to prepare them for work in the engineering construction sector. Learners study on a Level 3 and can use this as a fast-track into an apprenticeship.

ECITB SCHOLARSHIP

DURATION: 2 YEARS

The (ECITB Sponsored) Scholarship is a new course, launched in 2020 and offers a full-time opportunity to learn trade specific skills and theory in industry-like workshops. Trades are selected based on industry demand and set by the ECITB upon each intake. Students enrolled onto this course are paid for their commitment and progress.

L3 APPRENTICESHIP

ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIP

DURATION: 3-4* YEARS

Apprenticeships are a fantastic vehicle for getting into industry; offering practical skills, underpinning theory and the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the additional benefits of being employed. Apprenticeships are available in a broad range of trades and sectors and applicants can either apply for a specific vacancy with a certain employer or generally for an apprenticeship.

*depending on the apprenticeship

L4 APPRENTICESHIP

HIGHER APPRENTICESHIP

DURATION: 2-3 YEARS

In addition to Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeships, you can also study a level 4. This programme is perfect for someone who can previously completed a level 3 apprenticeship and is a natural progression route for people in industry who can apply what they learn to their own workplace and is made up of an NVQ and a HNC.

HNC PROGRAMME

DURATION: 2 YEARS

A stand alone HNC (Higher National Certificate) is also available in general engineering and is ideal for someone who has previously completed a level 3 engineering programme or apprenticeship and looking to progress to a level 4 qualification.

I decided to do an apprenticeship because I didn't want to work in an office and I enjoyed hands on work and completing little projects. The best thing about my apprenticeship is getting stuck into tricky projects and being offered great opportunities and career development whilst getting paid. My employer really supports me and my family love that I am in an apprenticeship, they enjoy hearing stories about work. I really hope to stay with the company after my apprenticeship.- Ben Gaskell, Cammell Laird

I have family who work in engineering and have always been interested in it. I have completed my Level 3 and am now studying for my level 4 (HNC) which my family are really supportive of. Being able to learn on the job really appealed to me and I am really hoping to stay at the same company once I complete this qualification. - Ben Porter, Wabtec Faiveley

Before starting at the college, I was at sixth form. The idea of an apprenticeship appealed to me because I enjoy engineering and being on my feet. I am constantly learning new things both in college and in company and being given the opportunity to better myself with courses and jobs on site, my company really cares about my development. My friends are also in apprenticeships and they are really happy too.- Thomas McKechnie, Sime Darby Oils

My school was an Engineering-specialist school and it was a really practical subject to study. The best thing about this apprenticeship is the support from my employer - they help me in different aspects and I am hoping to move around different areas of the company. It is also great getting paid to earn a qualification. My role within the company is as an estimator so I quote enquiries and liaise with clients on a day to day basis and sometimes I am given projects to look after. - Mark Bulfield, Boulting Group

I decided to do an apprenticeship because I have always enjoyed building things and the idea of getting qualifications and work experience at the same time really appealed to me. My company is really supportive and understanding and there is really good communication. The best thing about my programme is learning how to use tools and strip and build engines and my day to day role involved stripping down engines, building engines and painting and cleaning engines. I hope to become a fully qualified engineer in the near future.- Josh Patrick, Clarke Energy

I am currently undertaking the third year of my Composite Technician apprenticeship at Teledyne CML Composites. During my apprenticeship I have worked in a number of departments, including in the Cleanrooms, on the 5-Axis machine centres, and in the Engineering & Quality departments. The best thing about the apprenticeship is being able to learn on the job with mentors to support and develop my skills professionally. I have undertaken a number of courses independently including an “APM Fundamentals” level 6 course, which should be complete by Summer 2021. I love my apprenticeship and the support I get from my company and the college has been really worthwhile. - Thomas Wakefield, Teledyne CML

FAQs for Students

The Engineering College places learners at the heart of the curriculum. As an apprentice, you will have wrap around support from your tutors, mentors, employer and learner support team. There are a lot of opportunities and a range of apprenticeships you can apply for – but before you get started, check out our FAQ Students page for all of your enquiries. To apply for an apprenticeship, click on Apply Now! and start your journey to finding out about apprenticeships in your area.

FAQs for Parents

All students at The Engineering College are part of a learning community at the college, choosing to study with our team and better their knowledge and skills for a career in a worthwhile industry. We value the relationship we have with our students, employers, parents, carers and guardians. With Apprenticeships on the rise in the UK, some parents who are new to the idea of apprenticeships or who may want to know how we deliver apprenticeships are actively encouraged to get in touch with our team and read the FAQ page.

FAQs for Employers

We have worked at the heart of industrial Merseyside for more than 20 years servicing engineering and advanced manufacturing businesses – small and large in sectors that include maritime, energy, construction, food and drink, composites, advanced manufacturing, public services, rail and medical engineering. To make an enquiry with our team, please click Employer Enquiry under ‘Employers’ or contact our team at info@theengineeringcollege.co.uk and a member of our team will be in touch with how we can help you train, retain and up-skill your workforce.

Resources

National Careers Week

National Careers Week have a range of resources to help you mate the right decisions for yourself or your child. Click HERE

Contact Us

For Information, Advice and Guidance from The Engineering College, you can contact our team via email HERE

Support for Learners

For support and guidance as a current student of the Engineering College please visit the Support page of our website HERE

Staff Stories : Careers into Industry

About your Apprenticeship

I started in 1971 as an Apprentice Fitter following in my dad’s footsteps and I spent around 34 years in industry before joining the Engineering College. I worked in a chemical industry for 15 years on the shop floor carrying all types of mechanical equipment, overhauling and replacing warn parts with new and carrying out tests when completed. I then became a Supervisor running a maintenance workshop including a machine shop of about 25 people and then became a Maintenance Superintendant running a Welding workshop, Machine and Maintenance workshop and an Instrumentation workshop.

What is one benefit of doing an apprenticeship or a piece of advice you would give to someone considering studying engineering?

It give a solid base with recognised qualifications as your learning whilst earning. Having completed an apprenticeship it can open up doors for other opportunities for instance degree apprenticeships, university or more senior roles within industry. I would also say make sure you choose the right type of engineering for your career, as you should listen and learn from your mentor, as they will have knowledge and experience.

About your Apprenticeship

I started a Fabrication & Welding apprenticeship in 1977 because I always liked working with my hands /making things. I worked in industry for approx 23 years and my day to day role involved general fabrication and welding work – Marking out, cutting and welding together of components to produce a wide range of finished products like storage tanks, structural steel work and pressure vessels.

What is one benefit of doing an apprenticeship or a piece of advice you would give to someone considering studying engineering?

An apprenticeship provides you with the opportunity to learn some interesting and valuable skills that will last you for the rest of your working life.

About your Apprenticeship

I first started working for the Engineering College in 2014 as an apprentice on a Level 3 Business and Marketing Apprenticeship. After completing this, I gained my Level 4 in Marketing and am now on a Degree Apprenticeship studying Digital Technology and Data Analytics. I was in sixth form when I applied for the apprenticeship – for me I knew university wasn’t the right option for me as I wanted to learn on the job with people who worked in industry. I am so glad that I pursued the apprenticeship, it was the best learning curve for me as I had a lot of flexibility from the company to write my own role and was able to shadow different departments and learn a lot from people who had years of experience in their field.

What is one benefit of doing an apprenticeship or a piece of advice you would give to someone considering studying engineering?

You can really gain a lot from an apprenticeship like learnt experiences, advice from peers and you can learn a lot about your own interests and skills. Your confidence definitely develops with your apprenticeship. Working alongside engineers and engineering apprentices and studying a STEM subject, I would definitely say that problem solving skills are really important. If you can think logically and solve problems, you could make a great engineer.

About your Apprenticeship

I started in 1989 as an Apprentice in Mechanical Engineering. (Machining) and had 27 years in industry before joining the college. I chose to do an apprenticeship because it was a good way to try different aspects of Engineering. During my time in industry one of the most interesting projects that I was involved in was the manufacture of strategic components for the first A380 airbus programme back in 2007. My typical day as as an apprentice would consist of making sure the tradesman had all the correct equipment at hand to do their jobs, cleaning machines and the workshop and running errands.

What is one benefit of doing an apprenticeship and a piece of advice you would give to someone considering studying engineering?

One benefit of an apprenticeship is that you can receive recognised qualifications while gaining valuable work experience as a key component within a company. My advice would be to never be afraid to ask for help. Even the experts where once beginners. Don’t let your pride get in the way of progress, it is understandable that you will want to do everything asked of you and to want to impress, but we all have our limits. Asking for a little help as you learn will go a long way with the tradespeople training you.

About your Apprenticeship

I started my apprenticeship in 1979 at Lucas Girlng as a machine tool fitting apprentice and worked in industry for 32 years. I chose to do an apprenticeship because it is an excellent way to gain access to a job sector you really want to work in, you are trained from the basics of your trade right the way through until you come out of your time, the skills you learn as an apprentice can be transferable to other trades and enable you to not only specialise in your chosen profession but also allow you to do things that were originally outside of your comfort zone i.e. design and build decking and garden sheds / workshops. During my time in industry, I worked on projects like the high speed Pendalino trains that are used in both Spain and Italy, the TGV trains that run through the channel tunnel, Merseyrail Trains, Manchester Trams and Harley Davidson braking systems working as both a design engineer and a project engineer.

What is one benefit of doing an apprenticeship and a piece of advice you would give to someone considering studying engineering?

With hard work and determination the world is your oyster. An apprenticeship gives you the skills and knowledge that can be added to throughout your professional career and gives you a corner stone from which to build your future on. My advice would be to enjoy what you do; not only are apprenticeships a great way to really understand an industry and find a career that you enjoy, as with many workplaces you get to meet different people and make new friends.

About your Apprenticeship

I started my Fabrication / Welding apprenticeship in 1999 as an apprentice with Cammell Laird. My dad was a Sheet Metal Worker. He used to make gates and railings of a weekend, and I used to help him out in the garage. From a young age I wanted to do what he did. During my time in industry (15 years) I worked on interesting projects including High-Altitude Parachute systems and Submarine Escape Suits. I started out as a fabricator, then progressed to the drawing office. I then worked as a Manufacturing Engineer before moving into Project Management. As a Project Manager, I worked with a number of departments, such as Planning, Design, Test, Manufacture and Quality. My day would involve working with these teams to move from the design stage right through to gaining approvals and production of assemblies ready to send to the customer.

What is one benefit of doing an apprenticeship and a piece of advice you would give to someone considering studying engineering?

Gaining my apprenticeship is the best thing that I have done in my career. I have since completed a degree at University and am currently studying for a Masters Degree. Gaining a trade has also given me job security, I am fortunate enough to say that I have never been out of work since the day that I started my apprenticeship. A career in Engineering is very rewarding, but also hard work. Even after a number of years in engineering, there will be things to learn every day – which is part of what makes it such an interesting sector to be a part of. My main advice would be, that if you have the opportunity to gain an engineering apprenticeship, grab it with both hands as it will provide the foundation to set you up for the rest of your career.

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