Engineering & building management - an overview

• An overview
• Destinations
• Types of work
• Graduate salaries
• References
• Contacts and resources
• Case studies
• Quote

View destinations of specific subjects:

» An overview

This section covers four degree subjects which are closely linked, and graduates from these disciplines often work together professionally.

Figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) released in July 2007 show that the number of full-time students on construction related courses is rising. Applicant numbers to study civil engineering in 2007, one of the degree courses showing the biggest percentage increase, were up by 16.3% over the previous year, whilst applications for architecture, building and planning courses have increased by 10.4% since 2006. With major infrastructure projects taking place, such as the Olympics, public sector building programmes and redevelopment projects, it is seen as vital that these increases are sustained.

Both engineering and building management sectors seek to attract more entrants, particularly women and ethnic minorities. For example, the Women into Science, Engineering and Construction campaign (WISE Campaign) have helped to double the percentage of female engineering graduates from 7% in 1984 to 15% today, and in 2006, over 70,000 young people took part in the annual National Construction Week organised by ConstructionSkills, designed to make them aware that construction is the UK’s biggest industry, with over two million people employed in more than 700 different types of jobs. ConstructionSkills have also introduced the “Inspire Scholarships”, a placement and funding scheme with the aim to attract applicants onto construction degrees and make them better equipped to begin work when they have graduated.

According to the UCAS website, there are over 290 foundation degree courses in engineering and over 280 for building construction and property. These courses are supported by graduate recruiters and government alike and will hopefully lead to more good candidates for both sectors in the years to come.

» Destinations

Employment rates six months after graduation in 2006 for engineering and building management graduates were higher than the average for all first degree disciplines (see Table1). Engineering and building graduates were also less likely to have entered further study/training as a sole activity, although for building and civil engineering, relatively high proportions (15.8% and 10.3%) of graduates were both studying and working. This is an indicator that graduates from these highly vocational subject areas may not need additional postgraduate qualifications to land their first job, unlike some of their peers studying more general degrees.

The unemployment rates for architecture and building and civil engineering are both below the average for all graduates (both at 3.4%, compared with 6.0% for all subjects). The figure for mechanical engineering is 6.7%, whilst electrical and electronic engineering has the highest level, at 9.5%.

The high employment and low unemployment rates for civil engineering, and architecture and building graduates are evidence of the strength of the construction industry in recent years. The task of building the London 2012 Olympics will create a large number of jobs in the building industry, with civil engineering and a range of specialist skills in particular high demand. Even before London had won the Olympic bid, it was estimated that the industry would require 88,000 new recruits every year to deliver on the massive demand the industry faces (bconstructive, 2005).

» Types of work

The types of work entered by engineering and building management graduates are clustered around the career areas directly relating to their degree subjects, although a significant number also go into a range of other careers, including business.

Engineers are not only needed in the traditional sectors of construction and manufacturing, they are also spread throughout all sectors of the economy. A growth area has been linked to sustainable energy. For example, mechanical engineers have been instrumental in the development of renewable power, working on turbines and blades, and converting energy from wind to electricity (Engineering and Technology Board, 2006).

» Graduate salaries

According to the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DHLE) survey, six months after graduation, the average salaries for full-time, first degree building and engineering graduates entering full-time employment in the UK were above the average for all first degree graduates (£18,501). Graduates from civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical and electronic engineering earned on average £21,932, £21,696 and £20,934 respectively, whilst building graduates earned on average £21,372.

» References

‘University and college applicant numbers continue to show consistent increase’, Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) press release, 19 July 2007.

‘Who will build the Olympics’, November 2005. bconstructive

Engineering UK, Research Report, Engineering UK, 2006.

» Contacts and resources

Websites

Resources on this site

• Your degree in civil engineering
• Your degree in electrical/electronic engineering
• Your degree in mechanical engineering
• Explore types of jobs - occupations especially relevant to engineering and building management graduates can be found under engineering, manufacturing and processing, natural resources and the environment, and construction and property management.
• Industry insights - providing sector briefings for construction, manufacturing and oil, gas and petroleum.

General links

• Association of Building Engineers (ABE)
• Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE)
• Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE)
• Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
• ConstructionSkills
• Engineering Council
• Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
• Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
• Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

» Case studies

Paul - BSc in architecture. Trainee architect.

Paul is currently half way through his postgraduate diploma in architecture in order to pass the Part Two. Paul says: 'I have really enjoyed my education in architecture as, unlike many other courses, it involves varied assignments such as drawing, model making, essay writing, research and history/theory. There are also many opportunities of field trips abroad to see some impressive buildings.'

After completing his Part One, Paul was required to complete the standard period of work experience to gain a deeper understanding of the practicalities and nature of the profession and to build upon his academic studies at his first university. He spent a year working in a relatively small practice on projects of varying size, from data centres for a major media broadcaster to small extensions. Although graduates looking for work experience can join a wide variety of approved practices in order to gain their required experience before proceeding with their training, Paul believes that working for a relatively small practice enabled him to do work of a very diverse nature and hence develop 'a broad knowledge of the profession'.

Paul acknowledges that training to go into architecture is a long road combined with a financial commitment (materials and so on). However, he says: 'The course is extremely fulfilling and well worth the journey.'

Kiran - BEng in Electronic and Electrical Engineering. Hardware engineer working for an electronics component design company.

I am one of three hardware engineers employed by a small electronics component design firm. I was fortunate to be able to quickly find employment after graduating in summer 2006, and have now been working with my employer for several months.

Although I am only 23, I had spent two years working as a technician for Texas Instruments in India, and had also obtained a Diploma in electronics from an Indian university. Having relevant work experience was a great help when I started looking for employment. I really enjoyed my degree course and it has helped me manage the transition from technician to professional engineer. My course included 40 credits of professional skills development each year, including laboratory work, electronic construction, personal and professional development, project planning, group work and report writing. I feel that I benefited a lot from the non-engineering skills elements of the course as they have all helped me improve my communication skills and confidence in applying for jobs and coping with interviews. I would say that all aspects of my degree study have been useful in my current job. In particular, my analytical skills have greatly improved during my studies and I am now more aware of why I need to do things as well as how.

I found the degree hard work, but very rewarding after my two years in industry. I realised that if I wanted to make progress as a professional engineer I would need to have a degree. One of the main challenges that I experienced when I joined my current employer was moving from simple targets to tight deadlines. All 15 staff in my company work to strict deadlines. This was a culture shock for me as I had just come from uni where I was used to having much longer to work on a project. I know my limitations and I am comfortable asking for help in my current workplace. I know that I am making good progress as I have already been given responsibility for managing a project on my own.

I feel that a degree in electrical and electronic engineering is a great foundation for a lifetime career. I would like to stay in engineering and later maybe study for an MBA to help me move into a senior management role.

» Quote

Graham, BEng in electronic and microelectronic systems engineering. Senior avionics engineer.

My advice is to get some industrial experience either before or whilst you are at university. Treat problems positively - engineering is all about improving and developing using today's technologies for tomorrow's solutions.