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A guide to power generating systems engineering careers

If you are looking for a career that is hands-on, rewarding and essential to our everyday lives, then look no further than power engineering.

We have put together this collection of careers information and resources to help guide you, your teachers, or your parents through the different routes into the power generating systems industry.

See below for information on:

What does an engineer in the power generating systems industry do?

When you hear the word “engineer”, you might think of someone in overalls with oily hands and a spanner. But the truth is that the word engineer covers a massive spectrum of highly skilled jobs within the industry.

Engineers build, design and look after systems and equipment. As a power generating systems engineer, you’ll work for the manufacturers and suppliers who create and maintain critical infrastructure, specifically industrial generating sets and onsite power systems. 

You will be working on some of the most exciting challenges we face today, whether that is developing environmentally friendly power solutions or ensuring vital sites and services never lose power. If you are curious about how things work and you love problem solving, it’s a very rewarding career path.

The benefits of a career in power generating systems engineering

Engineering is a hands-on career offering chances to work with equipment and solve practical problems. No two weeks are the same, and there are opportunities in lots of different areas, from engineering design to final testing on the manufacturing floor.

Engineering is a creative and exciting career that pays well once you have worked your way up beyond junior roles. According to recruitment specialists Reed, the average engineering salary in the UK is £45,621. There’s also a strong demand for engineering skills, with the Engineering Council highlighting that one in four job adverts in the UK relate to engineering.

The most exciting thing about engineering and technology is that there will be roles in the next five to 10 years that do not even exist yet. AI, coding, and green jobs designed to combat climate change will continue to evolve and be really important to the UK economy. 

Career opportunities within power generating systems engineering

One of the biggest benefits of this industry is the opportunity for career progression. You don’t necessarily have to go to university to reach the very top. Many industry leaders started their careers on apprenticeships and simply worked their way up.

You might start out at a technician level, progress to a master technician, and then move into design engineering. Because the sector is so diverse, you can take your career in dozens of different directions. Two people might start on the exact same apprenticeship path; one might move into the commercial side of the business and eventually become a managing director, while the other takes a technical route to become a chief engineer.

So, whether you want to focus on the technical details, invent something new, manage big projects, or eventually run a business, the opportunities are all there.

What kind of engineering discipline is right for you?

Within power generation, there are several engineering disciplines you could consider:

Routes into power generating systems engineering

There are many ways into engineering. The first thing to figure out might be what kind of role you are interested in, but once you know, there are a few main pathways.

T Levels

T Levels are two-year courses which are broadly equivalent to three A-levels. They involve both classroom learning and industry placement, so they’re a great way of 
learning the practical skills the industry needs, while preparing you for employment, an apprenticeship, or higher education.

Useful links:

T Levels: Engineering, manufacturing, processing and control subject summary
T Levels: Find your nearest T Level

The apprenticeship route 

Apprenticeships are a great way to earn a salary while you learn with an employer. As well as having on-the-job training, you will also work towards a qualification at the same time. In the power generating systems industry, this can mean working on equipment that supports vital sites and services.

It can be a good route for people who want to build practical skills and gain workplace experience from the start. Depending on your current skills and knowledge, there are several different levels of apprenticeships available:

Useful links:

National

UCAS: Search: Apprenticeships
National Apprenticeship Service Website

Regional

Skills England: Apprenticeship Search
Find An Apprenticeship (England)
Careers Wales Apprenticeship Search (Wales)
NI Direct Apprenticeships (Northern Ireland)
Apprenticeships.Scot (Scotland)

The University graduate route 

If you would prefer to stay in full-time education, University can be a popular route. There are several electrical and mechanical engineering subjects to choose from. You would usually need two or three A-levels or equivalent, and Maths and Science subjects are sometimes required.

Useful links:

UCAS: Courses in engineering and technology
Engineering council: Accredited course search

Professional registration

Once you are in the power generating systems industry, professional registration is an excellent way to progress your career. Professional registration is an internationally recognised mark of quality that demonstrates your competence and commitment to employers and clients.

Academic qualifications aren’t needed per se, as professional registration is open to any competent, practising engineer or technician. What matters is the standards you’ve reached, not the route you’ve taken.

Once your expertise is independently verified through peer review, you can use post nominal letters to show you hold one of these legally protected titles:

Useful links:
 
Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
Energy Institute (EI)
Institution of Engineering Designers (IED)
Institute of Measurement and Control (InstMC)
Institute for Systems Engineering
The Society of Operations Engineers (SOE)

Scholarships for engineering students and apprentices 

If you are looking for financial support while you study, there are several excellent scholarships available: