Engineering and Manufacturing
This sector has remained largely buoyant despite recent economic uncertainty, and the demand for high-quality engineering graduates continues to rise. According to the latest EngineeringUK report (2024), engineering-related roles account for over 5.7 million jobs in the UK, contributing over £645 billion in gross value added to the economy. The UK is expected to require more than 170,000 skilled engineering workers each year to 2030, driven by major infrastructure projects, digital innovation, and the transition to net zero.
While traditional disciplines such as civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering remain essential, supporting transport, manufacturing, energy, and construction, new growth areas are gaining momentum. These include low-carbon technologies, advanced manufacturing, robotics, and aerospace. In the Southwest, exciting developments in space technology (e.g. Spaceport Cornwall), marine engineering, and renewable energy are creating opportunities for graduates to work at the cutting edge of innovation.
A degree from the University of Exeter, combined with placements, summer internships, or vacation schemes, can open doors to a diverse and impactful career. Opportunities exist across large multinationals, innovative SMEs, and public infrastructure organisations. While many engineering roles are filled by graduates from the disciplines of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, students from other disciplines often enter through transferable skills in design, analytics, or sustainability.
The Career Zone receives several specialist engineering graduate recruitment magazines, so make sure you visit us to collect your free copies.
If you are interested in this sector, you may also be interested to explore:
If you would like to do further research into this sector, the following webpages may be useful.
- Prospects - provides an interesting overview of the UK Engineering Sector, together with a range of articles on topics such as the ‘biggest challenges faced by the sector’.
- Targetjobs - broad selection of information, ranging from job descriptions, job adverts and tips on how to answer typical engineering interview questions.
- Institution of Mechanical Engineering website has sections devoted to graduate trends and opportunities within the sector.
- Institute of Civil Engineers - FREE membership for students and provides useful careers advice and topical articles on employers and initiatives within Civil Engineering.
- ‘All About Careers’ - a useful section that describes the range of job roles within the sector e.g. the difference between Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Engineering.
- Electrical Review - free magazine and website aimed at electrical engineers, project managers and consultants with topical news regarding the industry.
- Electronics Weekly - Blogs, articles and vacancies relevant to the world of electronics.
- Modern Building Services - news, technical and market insights and information on the latest projects in the modern building services sector.
- The Engineer - latest engineering news in the areas of engineering business, technology and innovation.
- STEM Graduates - website for STEM students that includes a specific section promoting women in STEM job opportunities, employers and events to female students.
- EE Times UK - news and information website for the engineering community in the UK, including a daily digest of the top business, technology and product stories from the EE Times Network, a worldwide network of journalists and reporters focused exclusively on the electronics industry.
- New Civil Engineer - news, insight and a jobs section specific to Civil Engineering.
- Control Engineering Europe - covers control, instrumentation and automation. Of particular use is the site find search engine, dedicated to ten key industry sectors, which you can search to find engineering companies operating in the sector.
Making contacts is essential for success in this and other sectors. Many jobs in this field come through networking and speculative applications. You could start by speaking with the experts – find out what they did after graduation and contact them for advice.
Making contacts for work shadowing, informational interviews and speculative applications
To help increase your networks who may also be able to suggest ways to gain experiences look at:
- Ask an Alum: A fuss-free way to connect with University of Exeter alumni to ask careers questions.
- Career Mentor Scheme: A popular employability scheme which matches a student or graduate with an experienced professional, for sector insight and one-to-one careers advice and guidance, over a 6-month period.
Recruitment fairs, careers fairs, open days, talks, and events give insights and opportunities to make contacts. For details of future events visit Handshake. If you have not yet activated your account, select the Single Sign On (SSO) option and follow the onscreen instructions.
Many major graduate recruiters have policies and processes that are proactive in recruiting graduates from diverse backgrounds. To find out the policies and attitudes of employers that you are interested in, explore their equality and diversity policies and see if they offer Disability Confident Employer Scheme or are recognised for their policy by such indicators as Mindful Employer or as a Stonewall’s Diversity Champion.
The UK law protects you from discrimination due to your age, gender, race, religion or beliefs, disability or sexual orientation and more. For further information on the Equality Act and to find out where and how you are protected, as well as information on what you need to do if you feel you have been discriminated against, visit the Government’s webpages on discrimination.
To learn more about how to share details of a disability with an employer and the support you can receive applying for jobs and work experience visit our equality and diversity page.
Further information
- Graduate Engineering Engagement Programme (GEEP) – Supporting engineering students and recent graduates from under-represented backgrounds into employment. Learn more Royal Academy of Engineering.
- Women’s Engineering Society (WES) MentorSET mentoring programme for women in engineering.
- WISE Campaign (Women into Science & Engineering) Advocacy and careers support to promote gender equity in STEM. Learn more.
- Equate Scotland Scotland-based organisation promoting gender equality across STEM with training and peer networking.
Action
Explore roles in the sector by visiting the areas of work below. Each profile covers typical duties and responsibilities, entry requirements, key skills required, professional development opportunities and links to finding both work experience and graduate roles.
