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Profiling jobs to help children and young people make that important decision about their future

by Jonathan Kearney

Continuing with our feature to profile different careers to help children and young make important decisions about their future career, this week we are featuring roles in manufacturing.

 Car Manufacturing Worker

Car manufacturing workers build motor vehicles by assembling parts on a production line.

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

You’ll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

You can find out more about a career as a Car Manufacturing Worker here.

CNC Machinist / Operator

Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machinists make precision parts for the engineering and manufacturing industries.

You can get into this job through a college course or an apprenticeship. College courses include:-

  • Level 1 Certificate in Engineering and Manufacturing
  • Level 1 Certificate in Performing Engineering Operations
  • Level 2 Certificate in Mechanical Engineering

You’ll usually need:

  • 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

If you decide to take the Apprenticeship route, you could do an Engineering Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship or Machining Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

You’ll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Find out more about careers as a CNC Machinist here.

Engineering Maintenance Technician

Engineering maintenance technicians service and repair equipment in industries like manufacturing, production and transport.

You can get into this job through:-

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

You could do a foundation degree or higher national diploma in engineering before applying for a job as a trainee technician. You’ll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

College courses include:-

  • Level 2 Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
  • Level 2 Certificate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology
  • Level 3 Diploma in Equipment Maintenance Engineering
  • Level 3 Diploma in Engineering
  • T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing
  • T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction

You may need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

You could do an Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship or a Building Services Maintenance Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

You’ll usually need:

  • Some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

You can find out more about a career as an Engineering Maintenance Technician here.