Engineering Operative

What is the work like?

As an engineering operative, you could work all areas of industry, ranging from automotive and electronics manufacturing to petrochemicals and railways.

Your exact duties would depend on your industry but could include:

* marking out, cutting and drilling items with power tools or CNC machine equipment
* fabricating and assembling components to make electrical or mechanical goods, such as vehicles or domestic appliances
* welding parts together using oxyacetylene, MIG and TIG methods
* servicing and repairing electrical and mechanical equipment
* inspecting and testing wiring and circuitry, and replacing faulty parts
* cleaning parts and equipment using chemical solutions
* applying finishes and surface coatings to products, using chemicals or by spray painting
* carrying out basic quality checks.

Other duties may include using forklift trucks, hoists or trolleys to move raw materials and finished products around the factory floor, and storage and dispatch areas.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?

You may be able to get into this job through an engineering Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.

To be eligible for an Apprenticeship, you are likely to need four GCSEs (A-C), including maths, science, engineering, design and technology or equivalent qualifications like the BTEC First Certificate or Diploma in Engineering.

Alternatively, you could take qualifications at college to learn some of the skills needed in this type of work. Courses include:

* Edexcel (BTEC) National Certificates and Diplomas in engineering (various branches)
* City & Guilds awards in engineering
* Engineering Diploma (available to students aged 14 to 19 from September 2008).

See SEMTA for general information about engineering as a career.
What further training and development can I do?

You would do most of your training on the job and you could choose to take a work-based NVQ qualification, such as:

* Performing Engineering Operations at levels 1 and 2
* Engineering Maintenance and Installation Level 2
* Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering at levels 2 and 3
* Process Engineering Maintenance at levels 2 and 3.

See the technician job profiles in the Manufacturing and Engineering category for more details about training in specific job roles.
Where can I go for more information?

SEMTA (Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance)
14 Upton Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0JT
Tel: 0800 282167


If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900