In most areas of technology & engineering, skills are more important than specific qualifications and it is rare that the absence of qualifications will prevent someone getting a job provided they have relevant experience. However, the majority of technology & engineering professionals will have either a relevant academic qualification or have undergone specific training to develop their skills and qualifications certainly help.

Academic qualifications

There are a wide variety of academic qualifications in both technology and engineering, offered by nearly every academic institution. The value of any individual qualification will depend on the course content and the reputation of the academic establishment itself, but the following types of qualifications are respected by most employers.

1.       Any type of degree in software engineering, systems engineering, electrical engineering, electronics engineering or computer science, for example Software Engineer (BSC)

2.       A Master’s degree (MSC) in:

·          Software Egineering

·          Systems Engineering

·          GPS

·          Mobile Communications

·          Satellite Navigation

·          Wireless Systems

To search appropriate courses worldwide, visit: www.science-engineering.net

Vocational training

Another way to learn specific skills is to do on the job training and one way to get this sort of specialist training continues to be via the MOD / the forces. REME (The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) and the Royal Signals have a particularly good reputation for training.

Industry memberships

Industry memberships are of importance in the technology and engineering industries, especially as memberships often have a direct impact on insurance cover – both liability and general insurance. Memberships are offered by a number of industry bodies, including:

·          The Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

·          The Engineering Council UK

·          Institute of Electrical Technicians (IET)

·          The British Computer Society (BCS)

For more information on any of these industry bodies, simply click on the relevant link.