Mechanical engineering career change.

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

A question for those working in engineering or who run an engineering company really, though any useful input is welcome.

I am looking to move to the south west, Devon in particular, of the country (partner from there, cheaper etc.) and my current field has no positions there as it is a bit of a niche market.

To this end I am wondering if people think companies would be open as a general rule to employing someone in their early to mid 30's (currently 31 so on completing 33-34) who had recently retrained either through studying a HNC & HND? Or is there any potential for getting an apprenticeship at this age? As I understand it a company would get no funding for someone my age and they would have to pay me a higher minimum wage.

My current area of work is in Biomechanics for which I have an MSc, with a sports science BSc.

Any help with this is greatly appreciated.
____________________
Pictorgraphicalfantastical

[UnknownStuntm...]

Devon? It's full of farms, holiday parks and seaside resorts. Depends what your field of expertise it, but putting big barns together is a skill that never goes wanting.
You say you know your way around sporty anatomies, people surf a lot, hook up with a surf school and extract cash from wet long haired hippies somehow?
If you're near the south coast side there's lots of money in sailing clubs, marine engineering etc.
The world is your oyster. Oh, oysters. You could farm them too.

[pudder]

If you would like to stay within your current field, University of Plymouth Biomedical Science course page has contact details of appropriate staff.

Might be worth sending an email or two explaining your current situation, and politely enquiring whether they have any contacts or company details in the region who might be recruiting.
Hopefully they would be open to giving you some leads even though you aren't UoP alumni.

'Mechanical engineering' as a term is used for a wide range of jobs, what area would you be aiming at?
"Hands on tools" mechanical fitting, assembly, maintenance? Keyboard warrior CAD designer?

I don't really know how active the job market is in Devon, probably depends on how close you are to a big city..
I'd imagine if you struggle to get permanent work there would be contract work available.
____________________
1993 Kawasaki AR50 (In bits) - 1984 Suzuki GP125 (Sold, but still ridden) - 1954 Matchless G3L (Being restored) - 2007 Suzuki Bandit 650

[dydey90]

I'm confused as to what your position is. Are you a mechincal engineer with a degree in biomechanics, or are you looking to switch to mechanical engineering?

The most I've ever been asked for as far as qualifications is an HNC, although if you have any sort of accreditation from a recognised body such as IMechE that would probably be better.
There's 3 levels:
EngTech (Engineering Technician), you only need NVQ3 for this
IEng (Incorporated Engineer), you need a degree or equivalent knowledge for this
CEng (Chartered Engineer), you need a PhD or equivalent knowledge for this.

When they say equivalent knowledge, there is a test.
____________________
This post is probably not serious and shouldn't be taken literally.
Past: CBR125,ER6f NINJA 650, ZZR600 Current: VFR750

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

[smegballs]

[andyscooter]

I was a engineer in a niche field


has taken me nearly twenty years to find another suitable job


good luck
____________________
gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

[Moo.]

If your looking for an area to retrain, take a look into Civil Engineering. Every company ive been with has been absolutely gagging to employ new engineers as they can't find enough. Seems to be a severe lack in the industry
____________________
A2 Passed 18/6/10

[1198]

Armed Forces are big in Plymouth - Navy primarily - and if you've a degree you should get a commission I think.

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

Thanks for the further help.

[andyscooter]

[smegballs]

[dydey90]

Try going into an interview and selling yourself as an engineer if you've not got either a degree or at least IEng accreditation.

I've got "engineer" as a past job title on my CV (because that's the title it was given in the contract) and I've been asked pointed questions about it before. Told them I consider myself an Engineering Technician and they simmered down.
____________________
This post is probably not serious and shouldn't be taken literally.
Past: CBR125,ER6f NINJA 650, ZZR600 Current: VFR750

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

[Scythe]

[andyscooter]

[pudder]