Experience Pre-entry experience is not needed Although vacation or a course work placement in a manufacturing environment will be helpful. Some industries will require a technical background but it is quite possible for humanities graduates to be appointed. Good communication, organising, influencing and persuasive skills are more important. The post involves liaison with finance, engineering and other departments and possession of organisational and managerial experience will favour mature applicants. There is a reasonable demand for graduates with appropriate aptitudes.
Competition tends to be against standards rather than numbers.
Tips for entry Try to get a vacation job in a factory and talk to supervisory staff while you are there to get a good understanding of the balance between the technical and human elements of the role. Training and sponsorship often help, if formal schemes are not open to you try to arrange a work shadowing placement. None applicable Recruitment agencies Recruitment agencies sometimes handle vacancies. This Occupational Profile forms part of Prospects Planner , an advanced computer careers guidance program for use in higher education. The data is Careers Services Trust copyright.