Young People Encouraged to Consider Careers in Engineering with Buoyant Employment Market

The Island’s engineering industry and University College Isle of Man (UCM) are encouraging young people to consider a career in engineering

Engineering offers significant career opportunities, both locally and further afield. In 2018, it was reported that the UK engineering industry requires 203,000 new skilled employees every year until 2024*. This, coupled with growth in the market locally since the pandemic, makes engineering an attractive career path.

Final year student, (Miss) Bliss Murtagh, who has recently secured employment with Swagelok, said ‘When we started the course, we were given a list of dates for company visits and application information, as well as opportunities to network and chat with prospective employers.

‘I will be sad to leave UCM, but I’m going into industry now, and I’m excited to kickstart my career and get my hands dirty. I would certainly recommend this career-path to anyone who is a little unsure of what they want to do.’

The last academic year has seen 95% of UCM Engineering students completing their studies and going directly into employment within the Islands’ engineering sector.

Ruth Watterson from Swagelok commented: ‘It’s an exciting time to be in the engineering sector on the Island and there’s a huge need for people to join the industry. The training facilities we have locally are fantastic, and students leaving UCM have the skills they need to ‘hit the ground running’ and flourish within their roles.’

Juan Kinnish, UCM’s Assistant Programme Manager for Engineering, added: ‘Engineering has always been a fascinating career prospect, and we’re fortunate on the Island to have such an active industry. The skills shortage is being felt here and, in the UK, so whether students want to stay on the Island or want to move away, this is a great industry to get in to.’

UCM provides a range of engineering qualifications including full time Level 2 and Level 3 courses, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering apprenticeships and HNCs in its Degree-level qualifications. Students learn in world-class real working environments which have been developed in consultation with industry, and enjoy placements and work experience to ensure they leave UCM with the practical skills needed to succeed in their careers.

*Engineering UK, 2018