Career outlook for engineering craft machinist
Figures and forecasts for roles at the same level, which require similar skills and qualifications.
Average UK salary
£38,480
Currently employed in Scotland
20,700
Average UK salary
£38,480
Currently employed in Scotland
20,700
"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures.
Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would make metal parts and components for engines, appliances and medical equipment.
You’d follow engineering drawings and instructions. You’d use tools like grinders, millers, cutters, lathes, drills and presses to make the parts.
You would:
- Choose and fit the correct machine tool for the job
- Plan the different stages of the job following engineering instructions
- Set the tolerance levels on the machine
- Work out the cutting speeds
- Place a pre-formed 'blank' part in the machine
- Check the progress of the job
- Check the quality of finished items
You’d use your maths skills to work out the cutting speeds taking into account the different strengths and properties of metals. Your work would need to be very accurate.
Increasingly, you are likely to use computer-numerically-controlled (CNC) machines for jobs. This involves programming instructions into a panel to control the cutting process.
Working conditions
Hours
UK employment status
Full-time
88%
Part-time
4%
Self employed
8%
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Discover my routeTop skills
Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.
- Working with technology
- Working with numbers
- Observation
- Attention to detail
- Concentrating
- Managing resources
- Taking initiative
- Reliable
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Qualifications
You would do a Modern Apprenticeship in Engineering, Engineering and Manufacturing or Preforming Engineering Operations (SCQF level 5/6).
Employers usually ask for National 4 or 5 qualifications. You usually need to pass an aptitude test to enter this apprenticeship.
Useful subjects
- Maths (required by many courses and employers)
- Science subjects, in particular physics (required by many courses and employers)
- English
- Technologies subjects, such as engineering science
Helpful to have
Qualifications that show understanding and experience of the industry such as Skills for Work Engineering Skills (SCQF level 4).
Related industries
