Sector-wide skills shortages mean there are plenty of opportunities for talented graduates. Estimates are that there will be an annual demand for 124,000 engineers and technicians with core engineering skills until 2024. If you have a mechanical aptitude, love solving problems and you want to earn an above average salary, you should consider a career in engineering.

Engineering and manufacturing is one of the UK’s broadest sectors. Almost 5.7 million people work in the sector in the UK, accounting for just over 19% of employment.

The application of engineering is all around us, using knowledge of science and mathematics to help improve our lives. Engineers design, create, research and find alternative and better solutions.

Nearly all industries require qualified engineering graduates, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, transportation, automotive, construction, computing and software, defence, electronics, green energies, infrastructure, instrumentation and control systems, communications, nuclear, automation and robotics, to name only a few.

The skills you learn through study and experience are highly sought after by employers, especially analytical thinking, attention to detail, numeracy, communication and technical savvy, all of which are highly transferable skills. Once you start working there are also many opportunities for continuing professional development.

To meet the projected demand, the number of engineering engineering apprentices and graduates will need to double The industry is especially seeking to attract more women and students from BAME backgrounds. University engineering and technology graduates tend to earn around 20% above the average over their career. 62% were in full-time employment six months after graduating, compared to 57% of all graduates.