STEP THREE

STEP SIX

Engineers compared

Engineer

Disk Jockey

Forensic Investigator

Student

Report on the Engineers

Hello to everybody!

Our group focused the research on engineering courses and employment, both in UK and in Italy. Our work is based on extensive research that included interviewing to free lance engineers, engineers employed by companies and engineering teachers; and includes also searches on the Net, at Universities and at Job Centers. The conclusion is that both in UK and in Italy, engineers are much in demand, but there are some differences concerning education, employment and salaries.

IN UK....

Engineering can be the basis for wide range of careers, opening doors to many different job opportunities.

Engineering courses at the schools which offer them an interesting and exciting way to enter the world of engineering. The aim of the courses is to give students a good grounding for higher education and a successful career. The best way of guaranteeing children excellent training is to start working life as an apprentice. An apprenticeship gives young people the opportunity to work for an employer; learn on the job, build up knowledge and skills, gain qualification and earn money at the same time! There are different levels of apprenticeship: National Vocal Qualification, NVQs; NVQ Level 2 (intermediate). If they like working with their hands and want to develop craft skills they will benefit from programmes like this. They will be well prepared for employment in the engineering and manufacturing industries. When young people finish their intermediate apprenticeship, they can both move onto an Advanced Apprenticeship (NVQ Level 3) and continue their education or training in other ways to move forwards in your career. If they successfully complete an Advanced Apprenticeship with qualification at Level 3 they may be able to move on to Higher education course.

The number of applicants in the field of engineering has fallen in recent years, engineering now attracts only 5% of this only 14% are women.

Home acceptance to engineering degree courses

The field of engineering holds a favorable position in graduated labour market: six month after graduation, applied science graduated (including engineers and computer scientists) is more likely to be in permanent employment than other graduated and after 18 month the percentage rises to 62%.

Their subsets favourable position in job market is reflected on their salaries: engineers earn approximately the 33% more than typical graduate salary. Electrical engineers earn the most. That suggests that demand exceeds supply.

UK continues to produce high quality engineers in sufficient quality to supply the needs of industry. Except for Germany, the highest percentage of engineering in European Community is educated in the UK. The education system seems to play an important role, because it provides students with practical skills they need in the world of work.

IN ITALY...

While in England, after intermediate apprenticeship students may continue studies or start working, in Italy engineers need a degree to practise their activity.

Engineering courses at school are different: in Italy schools don’t provide training or apprenticeship, but give more general and notional knowledge. However the first 3 years start students do practical work, but limited to laboratories experiences and associated to theoretical studies. After this short course of studies, students can decide to get the first degree that allows them to enter the world of work. Because of Universities don’t provide training, the companies usually do it, and engineers have to start earning very low salaries.

If young people prefer they can also continue their studies and get a degree, specialize and attend Master courses. These two years, before getting a degree, are more theoretically and, finished studies, students, with high qualification, have more chance to find a good job as a planner or designer.

How many engineering students find work or continue studies after one, two and tree years.

A continuing feature of engineering education in European countries is the discrepancy between the nominal and actual length of the degree courses. For example most Italian engineers are 5 years but actually take 6-8 years on average. In today’s world someone entering employment at 26-27 with relatively little work experience may be at a disadvantage compared to a younger graduated who has had a year or two experience of life in the real world under his belt.

Occupation percentage in the recent year

Fields of employment percentage

WHAT PEOPLE THINK...