Like most occupations, Engineering has many different job levels, each with their own way of getting in.

Apprenticeship

You can go straight to work and start as an Apprentice, employed to learn as you work, normally going to a college or training centre for day or block release.

This "on-the-job" training combined with "off-the-job" training provides you with the skills, knowledge and experience you need to start your career.

For more details about Apprenticeships in Engineering visit www.apprentices.co.uk

Foundation Degree

Foundation degrees are new courses for people who have already completed an Apprenticeship, and wish to carry on studying.

The course generally lasts for two years and involves part-time study, while you carry on working and earning.

When completed you have the option of transferring to the final year of a university degree course.

Degree Courses

You can enter as a graduate, on your way to being a professional, "Chartered" Engineer (CEng) or "Incorporated" Engineer (IEng).

Chartered Engineer (CEng):

You need to do four years of Engineering Council-accredited study, either by taking a four-year Masters degree, or a three-year Bachelor's honours degree and then study for another year (also known as a Matching Section).

Incorporated Engineer (IEng):

You need to do an accredited three-year IEng degree course, or a two-year HND and then study for another year (also known as a Matching Section).

In both cases :

You'll need to follow an accredited scheme of initial professional development (IPD) after graduating.  This involves further training in both technical engineering skills and more general abilities like problem-solving and decision-making.

Most recruiters of graduate engineers will support their employees' progress towards IEng or CEng registration.

Most large engineering organisations concentrate on recruiting graduates, but a university degree isn't essential for success in the profession.  The Engineering Council's regulations say that a two-year Higher National Diploma in engineering, followed by a year-long 'matching section' is sufficient for registration as an Incorporated Engineer.

For more details visit www.engc.org.uk, the profession's regulatory body.

If you have set your sights on moving into the engineering profession then there are many further education courses run by your local colleges, training centres and University, to find links to their websites click on FAQs and look at the information under 'Local Training Providers'.