Engineering Careers and Materials Knowledge
Engineering offers incredible career diversity - from aerospace and automotive to renewable energy and robotics. Most employers want you to have strong qualifications like GCSEs in maths and science, plus practical skills and a genuine passion for problem-solving.
Employability skills that employers value include teamwork, communication, reliability, and adaptability. Poor timekeeping, lack of enthusiasm, poor communication, or safety rule-breaking will quickly put employers off. The average UK wage gives you a decent benchmark for salary expectations as you plan your career path.
Modern engineering relies heavily on advanced materials like carbon fibre reinforced plastic, Kevlar, and shape memory alloys. These composite materials combine different substances to create stronger, lighter, or smarter products than traditional materials alone.
Career Boost: Start building your CV now - include any projects, work experience, or skills that show your engineering interest. Employers love seeing genuine enthusiasm!
Mathematics in engineering focuses on practical calculations you'll use daily - areas, perimeters, and volumes for designing and manufacturing. Accuracy and tolerance ensure parts fit together perfectly, whilst techniques like knurling add grip to metal surfaces.
The ESCAPE FM analysis method helps evaluate products systematically: Environment, Safety, Customer, Aesthetics, Price, Ergonomics, Function, and Materials. This framework guides you through understanding why products work and how they could be improved.