The Learning Grid

You might ask, “isn’t all engineering mechanical?”, but the answer is no, because mechanical engineering is concerned with the parts of machines which move – it could genuinely be rocket science, or it might just be about making the latest mountain bike.

Mechanical engineers are vital to so many industries that it’s hard to pin them down – any business which makes machines with moving parts and any industry which uses machines with moving parts needs mechanical engineers. They play a part in almost everything which is designed or made – you name it, they’re involved.

There are many different kinds of job within this area – you could start as a modern apprentice, after GCSEs, or as a graduate – basically, if you were always fascinated by how your bike worked, or took apart your parents’ clock to see exactly what was going on inside, you are probably the right sort of person for mechanical engineering. (And if you managed to re-assemble the clock without leaving any little parts out, you should definitely think about this line of work!)

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) will be able to help with more information.