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It has been claimed in recent years that the education system isn’t doing enough to prepare young people for the world of work. This seems to be justified by the significant lack of teenagers pursuing a career in engineering.
While there are many undergraduate engineers around, the crossover between teaching and actually taking on engineering work has proven to be a substantial jump – with many experienced personnel criticizing the attitude of younger engineers in comparison to their own passion and perseverance at a younger age.
These experienced members of engineering firms must realize that new employees are always likely to struggle throughout the process of adapting to not just a new line of work, but also to a new way of life.
In order to show the work ethic that older generations are looking for, undergraduates need to be welcomed into a productive workforce that suits people with all sorts of different educational backgrounds.
Mastering the practical side of engineering is important, but this might not be as straightforward as some employers think. If engineering firms are to see an influx of younger people showing a true passion for engineering in general, they need to address the significant factor of improving practical skills post-education.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship, a paid job that incorporates on and off the job training, can lead to a nationally recognized certificate of competence. The government has introduced a range of policies to encourage more companies to take on apprentices.
Engineering apprenticeships in particular have such wide and far-reaching options – from construction to electronics. Engineering apprenticeships call for certain levels of skills and know-how in a range of subjects and disciplines. Perhaps this need for increased skills has led to more students continuing on in education rather than considering an apprenticeship upon leaving school. With such a range of disciplines and specialty areas possible in a career in engineering, it may be of no surprise that many are unable to narrow down their choices to find a suitable apprenticeship that would allow them to experience a wide range of areas and skills.
Engineering can be a highly competitive industry, though, so it does pay to do some research. Companies could do well to offer apprenticeships at different levels of entry, including intermediate and advanced levels.
Apprenticeships have been utilized to try and give younger people a taste of what the engineering world could be like for them, yet the current approach seems to be lacking in adequacy – especially for those who are used to being taught rather than trained.
Some companies require a number of assessment tests to be completed and passed before an apprentice is taken on, but the well-known brands and companies offering engineering apprenticeships are out there and are actively recruiting, so if you are interested in finding out more about available apprenticeships in the engineering industry, you’d do well to search around and make some inquiries.
It’s vital for engineering firms to recognize the difference and create an easier transitional process for younger people looking to find a foothold in what has become a unique line of work.
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