How to Find Engineering Work Experience

If you want to become an engineer, getting work experience can be a vital first step in building your career. Whether you’re a Year 12 student looking for a pre-university placement, or an undergraduate preparing for your first full-time role, practical experience makes all the difference.

But finding engineering work experience is challenging. This guide takes you through your options and offers advice on how to apply for a placement.

We also discuss Dukes Plus’s own Young Engineer Summer Experience, an incredible opportunity for students aged 15-18 to experience a career in engineering and earn a UCAS-accredited work experience qualification.

Why do work experience for engineering?

There are various benefits to work experience for budding engineers:

  • Experience what it’s like to work as an engineer, and find out if it’s for you
  • Network with professional engineers, gain their advice and mentorship
  • Improve your university application
  • Build out your CV and enhance your career prospects

You can learn more about the benefits of work experience here.

Ways to Get Engineering Work Experience

Through your school

If you’re looking for engineering work experience in Year 12 (or even Year 10 or 11), it may be best to start by approaching your Head of Careers and explaining the type of work you are interested in. Many schools have connections with local firms and may be able to help you find a placement.

Corporation placement schemes

Some large engineering firms run work experience programmes. For example:

These all have their own unique application processes and may be very competitive, so we recommend applying through some of the other routes we’ve listed here as well.

University summer schemes

Some universities run their own summer schools or work experience placements. For instance:

As with the work experience programmes at big engineering firms, these are likely to be intensely competitive, so you should explore other options in addition.

Work experience schemes and platforms

For example:

  • In2Science – arranges STEM work experience placements for students from low-income backgrounds
  • Nuffield Foundation – can provide STEM work experience to A Level students
  • The STEM Exchange – this platform helps match students aged 14 and over to STEM experiences offered by employers (including work experience and webinars)

Local companies

Research local engineering firms and approach them directly, even if they do not advertise a work experience programme. For many students, this is the most effective route as competition is lower and you have more of a chance to make a personal impression.

Read on for more tips on how to apply for engineering work experience.

Tips on Applying for Work Experience

If you’re applying ‘on spec’ to a local firm for engineering work experience, you will want to make the best impression possible. Here are some tips to improve your application.

  1. Research the firm thoroughly. Understand exactly what they do, and tailor your application accordingly. Do they specialise in a particular field of engineering, or work closely with particular industries? What types of products do they produce?
  2. Write a cover letter. Take the time to write a unique letter for each firm you approach – it really is worth it. Start by introducing yourself, and explain your background, academic qualifications, and ambitions. Use the information you learned from your research to explain why you want to work at this specific company. It’s best to be conservative in what you ask for: don’t demand a full 2-week placement; instead, suggest that you could shadow someone for a few days. Once you’re in, if your work ethic and personality impress the company, you may be able to extend your stay.
  3. Prepare your CV. One page should be sufficient to cover your academic qualifications and any other work experience you have. Include your name and contact details, but not a photo. Keep the layout clear, concise, and readable.
  4. Approach a specific, named person. Find the best person to contact on the firm’s website and address your cover letter and email to them. If you can’t see who would be best, call the company up and ask.
  5. Follow up. If you don’t hear back – and you might well not – after around two weeks, send a polite follow-up checking whether they have received your application, or if there is anyone else you should direct it to. If you don’t hear back after this, it’s best not to send any further follow-ups. Smaller firms might not have the bandwidth to respond to you, and you may only irritate them through repeated contact.
  6. If you’re unsuccessful. Politely ask if they could give you any feedback. Is there anything you could have done differently, or does the firm simply not take on work experience students?

Dukes Plus Engineering Work Experience

Our Young Engineer Summer Experience is an incredible opportunity to experience a career in engineering.

Designed for students aged 15-18 and based in London, you will explore Europe’s largest Supercar facility, dismantle a petrol engine under the guidance of a mechanical engineer, and learn from aeronautical engineers in a flight simulator.

With the opportunity to earn an accredited work experience qualification and UCAS points, it can boost your university applications and career prospects.

Young Engineering Summer Experience

Book your place on our incredible engineering summer school.

Young Engineer Summer Experience

FAQs

Year 12 students have a few different routes to finding engineering work experience. You might start by asking your Head of Careers at school if they can help you arrange a placement. Other options are to apply to schemes at large firms, like Rolls Royce, or to university summer schemes, though both of these options are very competitive. Contacting local engineering firms and asking for work experience may provide better results.

Dukes Plus also offers the Young Engineer Summer Experience for ages 15-18, with the option to gain a UCAS-accredited work experience qualification.

Large schemes all have their own unique application process to follow. If you’re approaching smaller local firms and asking for experience, make sure you research the firm thoroughly, write a personalised cover letter, explaining who you are and why you want to gain experience at this specific organisation, and address it to a specific named person at the firm. This will help you make the best impression and improve your chances of success.

Multinational firms like MBDA, Rolls Royce, and Leonardo run work experience programmes. You can also research smaller, local firms and contact them ‘on spec’ to see if they will offer you a placement.

Yes, you may be able to. Many schools have relationships with local organisations. Ask your Head of Careers if they are able to arrange this.

Work experience can make a big difference to your engineering university application, as it shows admissions teams that you are passionate about the field and have hands-on experience. It is also extremely useful for job applications once you graduate.

Yes, our Young Engineer Summer Experience is an incredible opportunity to experience life as an engineer. You have the option to work towards a UCAS-accredited work experience qualification as part of the programme and gain UCAS points to boost your university application.