Engineering in Scotland

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Engineering opportunities in Scotland

I'm Peter Hughes, Chief Executive of Scottish Engineering. Click here to see how I think the future's shaping up for tomorrow's engineers and go to www.scottishengineering.org.uk (opens in a new window) for more industry information.

Just some examples of other engineering projects currently underway in Scotland include mechanical handling products being produced by Clansman Dynamics in East Kilbride; buses being produced for export at Alexander Dennis in Falkirk; state-of-the-art taxis being produced at Allied Vehicles in Glasgow and wave power machines being made by Pelamis Wave Power Ltd in Edinburgh.  In the aerospace sector we have companies such as Spirit AeroSystems (Europe) building wings for the new Airbus A350XWB, Goodrich making and repairing aircraft components, and Rolls-Royce and General Electric making and maintaining massive jet engines for airlines worldwide. In the defence sector we have outstanding products being produced for armies and navies around the world by Thales in Glasgow and Selex Galileo in Edinburgh. The list really does go on and on, highlighting the job opportunities that continue to grow for Scotland's engineers of tomorrow.

Build your skills for life

Train for a job in the shipyards as an engineer, an electrician, a welder, a fitter or any of the other skills needed to build an aircraft carrier and you're launching a career that should see you sorted for life. That's because the talents and know-how you'll develop should be 'portable' - you'll be able to take them with you and apply them however your future pans out.


With an ever-growing range of engineering projects throughout Scotland, there's a lot more in the pipeline for the trained engineers of the future. For instance, the Commonwealth Games are coming to Glasgow in 2014 and there's accommodation to be built, stadiums to be kitted out and all sorts of work that requires engineers. The oil and gas industry continues to be a real hotbed for engineering. The future will see a growth in renewable energy. A wide range of companies and industries will continue to need skilled engineers. The qualifications you will receive as part of your apprenticeship will be a very valuable asset over the years to come.