One of the most exciting things about engineering is the sheer variety of roles and tasks it offers.
That makes for a rewarding career, but it also creates a headache when deciding on your entry point.
The good news is that you don’t need to know exactly what programme and qualification you want to pursue to get started. If you’re not sure what apprenticeship is right for you, the best approach is to choose what you enjoy doing.
Every engineered product, from wind turbine blade to surgical implants, goes through the same process. It's designed, crafted, made, tested, fixed and analysed. Engineers are involved at every step on the way, but they’re doing different jobs.
Find the stage that sounds right for you, and you're on your way.
Which of the six engineering stages is right for me?
Design
This is one of the most creative stages, where you turn an idea into something that could exist in the real world. It’s great for people with a big imagination.
Craft
The stage where designs start to become real, and involves shaping and joining materials, including welding, machining and fabrication. Suits people who want a hands-on trade.
Make
These engineers operate and programme the machinery that produces parts at scale. May be right for you if you like working with complex equipment.
Test
This is a vital stage that checks if the products meet the standard they need to. If you’re naturally thorough and don't let things slide, it might be right for you.
Fix
Equipment needs maintaining and repairing so production doesn't stop. It’s a perfect place for people who like diagnosing problems and finding a solution.
Analyse
Engineers are always looking to improve performance, and use data to understand how the process is working. Would suit people who like getting to the bottom of why something works.
Found a stage that sounds like you?
Find the programme that fits
See the full range of programmes at a glance and pick any that interest you to find out more. Each page covers what you’d learn, how long it takes, the qualification you’ll finish with and where it could take you.
Are you already working in engineering?
If you're already working in a workshop or on a production line you don't need to start from the beginning.
Our accelerated programme recognises what you already know and focuses on training that fills in the gaps.
It's tailored to what you already know, so you start from where you are and get where you want to go faster.
What jobs does each sort of apprenticeship lead to?
Every apprenticeship is designed around a government-approved standard, which is a specification outlining what a qualified engineer in that role should be able to do.
Each standard leads to a specific set of job titles, so the Welder Level 2 programme, for example, opens doors to roles like structural welder, fabricator-welder, coded welder, MIG/TIG welder and aerospace welder.
Ready to find your programme?
Explore the individual programmes we offer, find out if the accelerated route fits you better, or apply now if you know where you're headed.
Still not sure engineering is for you?
If you’re not convinced yet that engineering is the right career for you, read more about where it can take you. We’ll help you work out whether engineering is the right fit.
Or come to see where you would be training. Sometimes seeing the equipment answers the question faster than reading about it.