Dr Anil Kumar: Engineers really do change the world
Published: 19 May 2005
By the time you read this article you may have listened to music on your i-Pod, watched the news on your 42-inch plasma TV, had a cup of coffee using your sophisticated espresso machine, ironed a shirt with your intelligent cordless iron, taken a thermostatically controlled power shower and even travelled to work on a bendy-bus.
By the time you read this article you may have listened to music on your i-Pod, watched the news on your 42-inch plasma TV, had a cup of coffee using your sophisticated espresso machine, ironed a shirt with your intelligent cordless iron, taken a thermostatically controlled power shower and even travelled to work on a bendy-bus. Nothing extraordinary you may say, but these activities would be far from routine if it was not for the skill of engineers.
From the sound engineer in the radio station, the power engineer who supplies light and hot water, the electrical engineer who designs household gadgets and the civil and mechanical engineers who build, maintain and improve journeys to work, professional engineering creates wealth for this country and underpins all aspects of our lifestyle.
Engineering is about how people modify and use materials to improve the world. The word "engineer" stems from the same Latin route as "ingenuity". It is a vocation immersed in challenge, motivation, innovation and creativity.
The established sectors of mechanical, electrical, civil, electronic, chemical, aeronautical transport, telecoms and acoustical engineering continue to thrive, but the daily experience of today's engineers overlap the worlds of science and technology.
And the diversity of science and engineering means that whatever your interests in film, TV, music, gadgets, travel, health, sport, design or environment there is an engineering role to match and these jobs frequently provide the opportunity to work at the very cutting edge of thought and innovation.
Although sometimes thought of as a lonely job, almost all modern engineering and science takes place within closely knit teams of professionals. In fact, science and engineering are international languages and opportunities are available to professional engineers to travel all over the world.
Just under half of UK engineering and technology graduates are directly employed in engineering. The profession is the third highest earning behind lawyers and doctors (the mean salary for a chartered engineer in 2003 was in the region of £49,000) and, according to a recent survey, is one of the happiest. Unemployment among professional engineers and scientists is among the lowest of any sector in the country.
Graduate engineers gain professional recognition through registration with the Engineering Council UK. This is awarded through a professional review undertaken with one of the specialist engineering institutions (ICE, IEE, etc). Registration enables the engineer to use the titles "chartered engineer", or "incorporated engineer", and the coveted CEng or IEng letters.
The professional review is usually undertaken after graduate training, followed by supervised experience with real engineering responsibilities. Opportunities exist for engineers at all levels and engineering is one of the few careers where you can progress through vocational and academic routes. Vocational qualifications can provide the foundation for engineering degree courses, and allow students to start earning early.
For entry on to an engineering degree, students usually need A-levels, AS-levels, Scottish Highers or AVCEs, typically in maths and physics and/or chemistry, design and technology and at least five GCSEs with grades A to C, typically in Maths, ICT, physics and chemistry.
The main route for engineering technicians is to take advanced apprenticeships (modern apprenticeships Wales & Scotland). These can lead to qualifications at NVQ/SVQ levels 3-4 (A-Level equivalent). On completion of training (which can form part of the Advanced Apprenticeship), technicians can apply for Engineering Technician registration with the Engineering Council UK (and gain EngTech letters after their names).
For entry into advanced apprenticeships (level 3-4) applicants will generally need a minimum of four to five GCSEs including English, mathematics, science or technology. Equivalent qualifications such as vocational GCSEs are welcomed
Students can also enter higher education by taking a foundation degree. These modern qualifications are designed and supported by businesses and provide the specialist technical knowledge and skills needed at associate professional and higher technician level. Graduate apprenticeships, sandwich courses and other programmes can also allow students to combine studying with working in industry.
In short, if you want to study engineering and pursue an exciting engineering career you can.
If you need more convincing that engineers are the unsung heroes (and, increasingly, heroines) look around you. I defy anyone to identify something that hasn't been touched by an engineer. Engineers really do change the world.
Dr Anil Kumar is Director of Education and Policy, The Engineering and Technology Board
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