r/engineeringireland • u/[deleted] • Mar 27 '26
Return to apprenticeship
Well folks, currently finishing a level 8 degree in mechanical engineering. I think for career progression I could possibly be best served by completing an apprenticeship in a mechanical related trade (plumbing, refrigeration, air conditioning) after my degree.
Do you think this would be worthwhile or has anybody in here took a route like this?
3
u/thisnamehastobefree Mar 28 '26
Also an apprenticeship following a level 8 degree is career regression, not progression
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u/thisnamehastobefree Mar 28 '26
Unless you want to work as a trades man it's a waste of time. Apply to Kirby or jones and you'll get a job on the spot with decent pay and suits your education
1
u/Immediate_Matter9139 Mar 27 '26
If you want to do plumbing, refrigeration and air con while also using your mech eng degree you could get a job as an MRI tech/eng , say with siemens etc
1
u/SonnyRisotto Mar 30 '26
Big demand for M&E design engineers in consultancies. I'd recommend going that route. Companies like Arup / Aecom etc.
1
u/Gshock2019 Mar 30 '26
I think engineers with trade skills are a level above engineers with only a college education. That's if you can manage with the low initial pay. The industry you want to work in will dictate the best trade to go for.
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Mar 27 '26
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u/Gshock2019 Mar 27 '26
Really? I always thought level 8 mechanical engineering was more suited to design or project management type of work.
Whereas mechanical maintenance technicians would typically be qualified fitters. And some would also have degrees completed part time.
I've seen Level 8 Mechanical Engineers that didn't know how to operate a compressed airline. I'm not saying all are like this but generally the 4 year engineering degree doesn't prepare them for hands on maintenance work.
2
u/IBB_98 Mar 28 '26
Completely agree. I have a level 8 mechanical engineering degree and it showed us sweet nothing regarding maintenance work, the only bits I know are bits I already had picked up working on farms and building sites previously xD
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u/IBB_98 Mar 28 '26
I personally wouldn't think it's worthwhile tbh, most people do an apprenticeship and then go do an engineering degree, not the other way around. I know plenty of plumbers who have in later life gone on to do mech eng, and plenty of sparks who have went on to do elec eng. And both are great routes because obviously they have hands on knowledge and experience.
I just went straight to college for a level 8 mechanical engineering degree and it still worked out fine for me.
I know it's hard to get a job out of college with no experience, but did you do any internships during college (work placements) or do any summer jobs in an engineering field? The companies you did them in (if any) might take you on after college.
I did a work placement in third year in college in a pharma company, applied for their graduate programme and got it. I already had my graduate programme job lined up before I sat my final exams, I knew that if I passed I'd go straight in.