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Maintenance

Engineering operative

Engineering operatives make, service and repair machinery and tools across lots of different industries.

Annual Salary

£22,000 to £33,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

40 to 44 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends; on shifts

5.8%
Future employment

There will be 5.8% fewer Engineering operative jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

As an engineering operative, you could:

  • follow engineering plans and job instructions
  • set up and operate computer-controlled machinery
  • make machine parts, using tools like lathes, cutters and grinders
  • apply coatings and finishes to manufactured products
  • service and repair machinery
  • carry out inspections and quality checks

Working environment

You may need to wear protective clothing.

You could work in a factory, in a workshop or on a construction site.

Your working environment may be dusty, hot and noisy.

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
College

You could take a college course to learn some of the skills needed for this job.

Relevant courses include:

  • engineering operations
  • engineering technologies
  • engineering
  • mechanical engineering
  • T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an Engineering Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, or a Machining Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

These can take between 1 and 4 years to complete.

Entry requirements

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
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Direct application

You can apply directly for jobs if you have engineering experience. This might be from mechanical servicing and repair, machinery fitting or electrical work.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

  • have a good level of fitness

More information

Further information

You'll find more advice on training and working in engineering from the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board and Neon.

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With further training, you could become an engineering craftsperson or engineering technician. You could also specialise in a particular type of work, for example:CNC machining; fabrication and welding; machinery maintenance; heavy vehicle mechanics

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • maths knowledge
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
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