Manufacturing

The UK’s top four manufacturing industries are motor vehicles, food and drink, chemicals and machinery and employs almost 4 million people.

Roles in manufacturing cover a wide range of industries from aerospace and automotive to electronics and pharmaceuticals. You could be manufacturing anything from submarines and aircrafts, to drinks, pharmaceuticals, paints, TVs or building products.

There are great opportunities in engineering, although this is still quite male dominated. Working environments vary considerably from offices to noisy factories and industrial plants, depending on the role.

Job roles 

The manufacturing process requires scientists, engineers and market researchers in the initial research and development stage. 

Design engineers are also needed before the production stage, which requires plant and production managers, HR professionals and engineers. 

Of course, every product needs to be sold and marketed and this is where advertising, marketing and sales executives are needed. The financial side is handled by accountants, administrators and purchasing managers.

The estimated graduate starting salary is from around £14,000 to £23,000. Post-training, salaries typically range from £25,000 to £38,000