Mechanical Engineer – Cleaning Careers

It is a mechanical engineer’s job to conduct research, design mechanical products and systems, then oversee them being made, used, and repaired.

Studying mechanical engineering is a combination of science, maths, and computing. It’s the study of machinery, and how to manufacture and maintain it at all levels. It’s a limitless subject, which plays a role in everything from vehicles to cities, energy to artificial intelligence, military to healthcare, and everything in between.

Useful skills to put in your CV:

Mechanical engineering requires a lot of different skills:

Communication: Is the ability to convey or share feelings/ideas effectively without any misinterpretation, misunderstandings, or misleading people.

Writing skills: Be able to manage your time effectively, set goals and prioritise tasks o you are able to achieve set goals.

Teamwork: Be able to work well within a team and work together to achieve the same goal.

IT Skills: Within the role you may be asked to use several devises i.e., a tablet, phone, computer, laptop and their operating systems and software. It is about being able to operate these comfortably.

Creativity: Being able to use your imagination to create new ideas, or to see a task or problem in a different way.

Work under pressure: Being able to deal with situations that can result on strains in your day-to-day work that may be beyond your control. You are able to deal with this pressure and remain good natured.

Organisation: Be able to manage your time effectively, set goals and prioritise tasks o you are able to achieve set goals.

Top Skills-boosting Tips

Do some personal research into how the cleaning industry puts a big focus on safety, health and the environment. They are all really important in the world of cleaning!

How Do You Get These Skills?

Vocational qualifications and work experience will help you build these skills over time.

Build Your Skills With the FREE Young Professional Programme

Qualifications and training

To become a mechanical engineer, you usually will be required to have a degree.

University: There is the option to explore mechanical engineering at a university level, you could complete a higher diploma or degree in either mechanical engineering, electromechanical engineering, mechatronics, and engineering manufacturing. The entry requirement for course like this will require 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent including maths and physics.

The Engineering Development Council do have their own website where there is more information available 0n accredited courses. – https://www.engc.org.uk/education-skills/course-search/accredited-course-search/

College: If you do not feel like committing to a full three years at university or feel that university is not for you there is available a Level 4 and 5 higher national diplomas in mechanical engineering. The usual entry requirements for this option are 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma.

More information can be found on the UCAS website: https://www.ucas.com

Apprenticeships: Exploring an apprenticeship within this job role may be very beneficial due to the practicality of this course, a great way to gain on the job knowledge and experience. When applying for an apprenticeship you will need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent.

Relevant apprenticeships:

• Manufacturing engineer degree apprenticeship
• Electro-mechanical engineer higher apprenticeship
• Power and propulsion gas turbine

https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

Who can help?

Many professional bodies also offer a range of training opportunities, including activities that count towards continuing professional development (CPD). Find out more below:

The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc)

BICSc is the largest independent, professional, and educational body within the cleaning industry providing training and education, setting standards and procedures for cleaning. BICSc membership now stands at over 55,000 individual and corporate members in the UK and Internationally.

The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM)

The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) is the body for workplace and facilities professionals. IWFM empower and enable workplace and facilities professionals to expand their potential and have rewarding, impactful careers. The IWFM was established in 2018. It builds on the proud heritage of 25 years of the British Institute of Facilities Management.

It is always a good idea to gain work experience, this will help you gain contacts and develop skills that will help you when you start applying for graduate jobs. Below are a few ways that you can gain that experience:

Internships
A year placement in industry – https://www.etrust.org.uk/the-year-in-industry
STEM ambassador scheme – https://www.stem.org.uk/stem-ambassadors/become-a-stem-ambassador

In all parts of the industry you can expect to:

So, what would your day look like in the role of mechanical engineer:

• Research and develop products.
• Improve products.
• Design and implement equipment modifications.
• Develop project specifications.
• Develop and use new materials and technologies.
• Manage people, projects, and resources.

• Develop, test, and evaluate theoretical designs.
• Discuss and solve complex problems.
• Make sure a product runs reliably.
• Manage projects.
• Plan and design new productions processes.
• Recommend modifications following prototype test results.
• Monitor and commission plant and systems.

Once you have gained the experience you need you can begin looking for jobs within this role, sometimes this is easier said than done. There is a possibility that you may have to enter a company as a mechanical engineering technician and then work your way up through promotions and opportunities to achieve the role as a mechanical engineer, but this is not uncommon.

One of the beneficial things about mechanical engineering is that the skills you learn are transferable and you can then focus on a particular field:

• Construction and automotive industries
• Manufacturing industry
• Medical engineering
• Process industries (pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetics)
• Transport

You can search for vacancies at:

The Engineer jobs – https://jobs.theengineer.co.uk
JustEngineers – https://www.justengineers.net
New Scientist Jobs – https://jobs.newscientist.com
Indeed – https://uk.indeed.com/q-mechanical-engineer-jobs.html?vjk=0120f9e71a054d80
Reed – https://www.reed.co.uk/jobs/mechanical-engineering-jobs

Memberships are also an excellent way to build connections and network with people who are in the same industry as you, you will have access to webinars, receive discounts on further training and more for a fee, for more information check out the Institution of mechanical engineers and Tomorrow’s Engineers.

Institution of mechanical engineers – https://www.imeche.org/membership-registration/benefits-of-membership
Tomorrow’s engineers – https://www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk/about-us/

You can also take a look at our database of local opportunities to see if there are any relevant jobs, work placements, or careers events and workshops to help you get started.

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Click on an employer to find out more about them and the youth-friendly opportunities they offer, from work experience and apprenticeships through to graduate schemes.

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Click on an employer to find out more about them and the youth-friendly opportunities they offer.