Electrical and Electronic Engineering
‘There’s a lot to model trains that people don’t realise’. (Gary Coleman, American actor, 1968-2010)
Thanks to electric and electronic engineering we have electricity in our houses, we have cash machines and we have electric railways – both real ones and model ones. What would we do without the people who work in this sector?
Electrical engineering is about generating and supplying power. It might be from a conventional power station or from a modern wind generator.
Electrical engineers and technicians work in power stations and generating plants. They develop and operate heavy electrical machinery. Electricity distribution workers install and maintain systems to distribute the electricity around the country.
Electronic engineering is about designing and making equipment that uses the power.
Electronic engineers and technicians develop equipment that uses low power electric current. They might build equipment to launch satellites, automate huge factories, or control your TV.
Broadcasting engineers, computer engineers, control and instrument engineers, telecommunications engineers, security alarm fitters and electronics assemblers all work with electronics.
Electricians install cabling, wiring and equipment in houses, factories and other places. They also locate and repair faults in electrical systems.
This work needs people who are practical, reliable, interested in engineering and able to solve problems. They should be methodical, accurate and aware of safety issues. People working in this sector should be able to work on their own and as part of a team.
You can start at various levels in electrical and electronic engineering.
There are some jobs which do not need any qualifications. With 3-4 Standard grades, you could go in as a Modern Apprentice. If you do this you would study for Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ) Level 3, in an appropriate engineering subject. Or you could start by taking a full time course leading to a National Certificate (NC) or National Qualification (NQ), Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND). Or you might take a degree in electrical or electronic engineering before you start work.
Prospects in electrical and electronic engineering are good. In 2009, over 65% of electrical and electronic engineering graduates went straight into either full time or part time work. Nearly 34% were employed as as engineering professionals and 21% as IT professionals. (Source: Prospects website, 2010).