It’s time to engineer your career

Not sure if A Levels are the right route for you? Have you ever wondered what else you could do after school instead?

College is a great option for everyone! Whether you’re keen to follow an academic A Level route, or you want to find an alternative career path, there’s a course for you at Coleg Gwent.

Engineering is one of the many options you could explore. So, we recently held an exciting ‘Engineer your Career’ event at the City of Newport Campus, for year 10 pupils from two local schools – St Joseph’s RC High and Bassaleg School.

The young people attended the event to gain an insight into alternative career options if they’re not looking to pursue the traditional academic route. It gave them the opportunity to see our state-of-the-art automotive and engineering workshops and industry-standard equipment, while participating in fun, interactive tasks.

The students took part in a variety of activities arranged by our expert tutors, giving them a taste for a range of engineering roles. This included spray painting cars, fixing tyres, polishing, buffing and welding. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to get hands on and experience the world of engineering at their local college.

What’s more, we work with some of the most well-known engineering organisations in South Wales. We have links with BAE Systems, Thales, Pro Steel Engineering, Tata Steel, Thermo Fisher Scientific and more! In fact, many of our learners find apprenticeships with these organisations to gain work experience while they study. An engineering course at Coleg Gwent opens lots of doors for a successful career in the sector, so you can make it in the world of engineering!

Why consider engineering as your future career?

If you’re curious about pursuing a career in engineering, here are 5 reasons why it is a great option to consider:

1. There are lots of different types of engineering. You could branch out into an area that interests you, such as; aerospace, architecture, automotive, civil engineering, design, electrical engineering, environmental, food and drink, geotechnical, manufacturing, marine, oil and gas, telecoms, transport and more.
2. On average, professional engineers earn more than any other profession, with the average salary of full-time employees between £30,360 and £51,279!
3. 65 million engineering jobs are predicted to be available by 2024. But there’s a shortage of skilled workers in the engineering sector. So, once you’re qualified and have the skills employers are looking for, you’ll find lots of jobs on offer.
4. Engineering jobs make up 19% of the UK’s total employment, but you don’t just have to work in an engineering company. Engineering skills are used across all work sectors. So a lot of people working in engineering roles work outside of engineering industries.
5. 51% of 11-16 year olds said they would consider an engineering career, so it’s a popular choice. The proportion of school-age children who have taken part in a STEM careers activities like the Engineer your Career event is rising.

Apply now for an engineering course at Coleg Gwent and join us this September to start your journey as an engineer.  Places fill up fast, so don’t miss out!