Typical career routes and salariesTypical career routes and salaries> Robot Engineer> Factory Planning Engineer> Project Manager> Machining and Process Engineer> Mechanical Maintenance Specialist> Production ManagerBy the age of 30 you could earn £25,000 - £35,000

> Robot Engineer> Factory Planning Engineer> Project Manager> Machining and Process Engineer> Mechanical Maintenance Specialist> Production ManagerBy the age of 30 you could earn £25,000 - £35,000

Fitters Mate

Machine Setter / Operator

£12,000 - £15,000

Maintenance FitterSkilled MachinistCNC Machine ProgrammerCNC Machine Operator£18,000 - £22,000

Mechanical Maintenance TechnicianPrototype Technician

CNC/CAM Machine Programmer

£20,000 - £28,000

APPRENTICESHIP

ACADEMIC

Graduate Trainee

Engineer

£20,000 - £25,000

Full time study at University

Intermediate Engineering

Apprenticeship 1 year

BTEC Advanced /

Advanced Apprenticeship 2 - 3 years

Degree in Mechanical or

Manufacturing Engineering

4 - 7 years Part time

A Levels in Maths / Science2 years

Degree in Mechanical or

Manufacturing Engineering3 – 4 years

Full time study at College

BTEC Advanced2 years

Full time study at

College / 6th Form

HNC / HND 3 - 4 yearsPart time

These roles are all about the machines and equipment used to manufacture things. Roles include:-• Skilled operators involved in

producing parts

• Set-up of machines

• Mechanically maintaining the machines

• Building and assembly of machines and equipment

• Designing the machines themselves.

Machines are used in all manufacturing businesses and so these roles are found in every business.

• Problem-solving skills

•Communication and presentation skills

• Creative approach for new ideas

• Technical knowledge

• Practical understanding of how things work

• Good team-working skills

• IT skills (Computer Aided Design)

• Ability to prioritise and plan

• Commercial awareness

• Ability to work under pressure to deadlines

• Interested in machines.

What skills do I need?

School Year 11Ma

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Martin completed his A levels in pure maths, physics, design manufacturing and then moved to a vocational / apprenticeship route. Martin joined the EEF and did two years full time vocational study doing his BTEC Mechanical Engineering. He then started work at Somers Forge where he did his apprenticeship as a Machinist.

Martin has an identical twin brother, Matthew, who followed the same initial route. However, Matthew decided to go to university full time studying Design Engineering. He studied his degree for three years and then did an internship for a while to get some work experience before gaining work at a plastics company and then a casting company. In 2012, he came back to Somers Forge to work as a Machinist with his brother.

Many staff in this industry are heading towards retirement and soon there is going to be a big gap of skills and knowledge in the forging industry. Filling the roles will be a big challenge to the sector.

The two brothers took completely different routes but have now ended up doing the exact same job at Somers Forge – same career different path!

What happened?

Why choose this route?Martin took the apprenticeship route to avoid the debt associated with university fees. He also valued the opportunity to earn while he learnt and to get the valuable hands on skills offered by an apprenticeship.

Martin chose the vocational / apprenticeship route after A levels. He thought about going to university but after weighing up the costs he decided to take the practical route.

Introduction

Martin Bolton – Machinist A Levels > Vocational > Apprenticeship > Employment

Somers Forge – Halesowen

Martin completed his A levels in pure maths, physics, design manufacturing and then moved to a vocational / apprenticeship route. Martin joined the EEF and did two years full time vocational study doing his BTEC Mechanical Engineering. He then started work at Somers Forge where he did his apprenticeship as a Machinist.

Martin has an identical twin brother, Matthew, who followed the same initial route. However, Matthew decided to go to university full time studying Design Engineering. He studied his degree for three years and then did an internship for a while to get some work experience before gaining work at a plastics company and then a casting company. In 2012, he came back to Somers Forge to work as a Machinist with his brother.

Many staff in this industry are heading towards retirement and soon there is going to be a big gap of skills and knowledge in the forging industry. Filling the roles will be a big challenge to the sector.

The two brothers took completely different routes The two brothers took completely different routes The two brothers took completely different routes The two brothers took completely different routes The two brothers took completely different routes The two brothers took completely different routes The two brothers took completely different routes The two brothers took completely different routes The two brothers took completely different routes The two brothers took completely different routes The two brothers took completely different routes The two brothers took completely different routes but have now ended up doing the exact same job at but have now ended up doing the exact same job at but have now ended up doing the exact same job at but have now ended up doing the exact same job at but have now ended up doing the exact same job at but have now ended up doing the exact same job at but have now ended up doing the exact same job at but have now ended up doing the exact same job at but have now ended up doing the exact same job at but have now ended up doing the exact same job at but have now ended up doing the exact same job at Somers Forge – same career different path!Somers Forge – same career different path!Somers Forge – same career different path!Somers Forge – same career different path!Somers Forge – same career different path!Somers Forge – same career different path!Somers Forge – same career different path!Somers Forge – same career different path!Somers Forge – same career different path!

What happened?

Why choose this route?Martin took the apprenticeship route to avoid the debt associated with university fees. He also valued the opportunity to earn while he learnt and to get the valuable hands on skills offered by an apprenticeship.

Martin chose the vocational / apprenticeship route after A levels. He thought about going to university but after weighing up the costs he decided to take the practical route.

Introduction

Martin Bolton – Machinist A Levels > Vocational > Apprenticeship > Employment

Somers Forge – Halesowen

Introduction

Why choose this route?

What happened?

“I wanted a skilled job – something with prospects. It’s hard to know what you want to do when you leave school. I applied for various courses and apprenticeships and was offered the apprenticeship role at ZF Lemforder.”

Mark Hitchcock – Mechanical Fitter Vocational > Apprenticeship > Employment

Every manufacturing company has some need for machines and mechanical skills for both operating and maintaining equipment. Black Country companies with employees in this field include:- 3D Tooling Technologies Ltd, Bilston Engineering Ltd, Bri-Mac Engineering Ltd,

Brockmoor Foundry Co Ltd, BST Supplies Ltd, Cab Automotive Ltd, Clarkwood Engineering Ltd, Moog, Mueller Europe Ltd, NES Ltd, Saddlers Court Manufacturing Ltd, SSE Pipefittings Ltd, Hadley Group, HCM Engineering Ltd, Jay Engineering Ltd, Jenks & Cattell Engineering Ltd, Lodent Precision, Mako Precision Engineering Ltd,

Metal Assemblies Ltd, Metsec, Midland Tool & Design Ltd, Timken, Turner Powertrain Ltd, Ufone Ltd, United Technologies, Waterfit Ltd and Zero Cases.

Somers Forge has a large site employing about 120 people in both forging and machining large steel parts. In particular they forge and machine propeller shafts for naval ships and submarines. These parts need high tolerance machining on a range of large and complex machines.

ZF Lemforder is part of a German owned group employing 350 people at its site in Wednesbury where they machine and assemble high volumes of steering and suspension joints for cars including Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin, Toyota and BMW. The precision, high volume machines require continual monitoring and mechanical maintenance to ensure that quality and reliability is kept.

ZF Lemforder – Wednesbury

A month after leaving school Mark started his apprenticeship. He did nine months off-site training and completed his Level 2 in Basic Engineering. Mark also did an electrical course at college studying City and Guilds Part 2 Engineering Systems Maintenance.

Mark continues to study and has completed his HNC part time at college in the evenings – the company sponsored his training costs.

Key roles as a Mechanical Fitter include mechanical breakdowns and project work. Being able to do mechanical and electrical makes sure Mark is flexible and adaptable and multi-skilled.

Mark chose the apprenticeship route so that he could earn and learn!

After leaving school Mark was unsure what to do next and after applying for various courses and apprenticeships he was offered an apprenticeship at ZF Lemforder.

Machines and mechanics in the Black Country

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