Engineering Or Plant Operations?
August 25, 2010 - 12:22pm
I'm currently, doing a Construction Plant Apprentership In the Uk after a years mixed college course dabbleing in both mech engineering and Plant operations, And I've been offered a Place in january to do a Apprentership in "Plant Engineering" (effectively maintaining and fixing diggers, nothing fancy like half the engineers here can do :/)
I'm at abit of a lost end in terms of what I'd like to do. On the one hand I'd like to go off to uni and do a BEng Mineing engineering qualification, But at the moment I don't have the grades to meet the entry requirements even though I've been around the big quarrying tools for the past yr or two :/ To do the grades (possible, just need to step up and do A levels) I'd have to give up work and go back to the classroom which means little money and not being able to keep up my Plant operators tickets.
I could do the two years of Plant engineering but as far as I can see, all it means is I end up under a machine as opposed to in the cab. and that means I won't get to be involved in awesome engineering Projects, which is kinda something I'd like the chance to do, even if I'm just sat in a digger cab I can still say "I dug that cutting"
Is there any way atall that I could get into the engineering side of civils projects without loseing my Plant ops tickets and haveing to go take A levels.
Thanks, Any advice is really appreciated.
Roz
August 25, 2010 - 9:58pm
#2
Yea, I don't think I could stick it all week in an office. I like being out getting the work done, so I will probably carry on and just see where this side of work takes me.
Thanks for the info and the brilliant comic.
August 27, 2010 - 8:55am
#3
I realize that I'm prejudiced, but I'd say go back to school. Engineering has it's downsides, but it opens many doors. It brought me around the world, gives me the opportunity to get dirty, or hide in the office.
I admit that often I go home feeling like I didn't leave an impact, and in that aspect, plant engineering would be better. You can accomplish something measurable on a daily basis.
But, if this is a tough decision, ask people who chose either option. Talk to the guys on the tools, and the guys in the office. They will let you know which option you should go for.
August 29, 2010 - 3:16pm
#4
I dont know the slightest, but I say maybe its better to get the qualifications (A-Levels and MechE) Atleast then you got them even if you dont need them.
you can probably do A-Levels evenings OR day times, most colleges have different time frames to choose from. which means you could keep the job while you get A-levels atleast.
I am just a lowly shopkeep atm so i cant relate fully but i am redo'ing GCSE's then doing A-Levels while keeping the job. :/
Hope this helps.
I don't know much about the trades or UK qualifications, I'm afraid... the one thing I can tell you is that MOST people with an engineering degree end up in an office and not in, around or near the site itself, and that sounds like that's what you enjoy.
<3 Jam