Start shaping your future with the right choices.
Explore how the subjects and skills you’re developing now can lead to exciting careers in Engineering, Design & Manufacturing – a fast‑moving sector full of innovation, cutting‑edge technology, and real‑world impact. From designing the next generation of electric vehicles to building robots or 3D‑printing aircraft parts, this is where creativity meets technical skill.
🖼️ 3D Design (Excel only) – Useful for product design, prototyping, CAD modelling, and creating functional items that can be manufactured.
🎨 Art – Useful for product design, prototyping, and developing the aesthetic aspects of manufactured items.
💼 BTEC Enterprise – Helpful for understanding how production, supply chains, and business operations work within industry.
🏗️ Construction & the Built Environment – Useful for understanding how infrastructure and industrial facilities are designed, built, and maintained.
🗣️ French (Discovery) / Spanish (Excel) – Provides valuable communication skills for future engineers, helping you work with international teams, collaborate on global projects, and understand technical information from around the world.
🧮 Further Maths (Discovery only) – Valuable for advanced calculations, complex modelling, problem-solving, and analytical tasks in engineering design and manufacturing.
⚙️ Engineering – A core subject for manufacturing, covering design principles, materials, and engineering processes.
🌍 Geography – Useful for understanding logistics, sustainability, and the environmental impacts of products, materials, and manufacturing processes.
📊 Statistics (Excel only) – Essential for data analysis, quality control, process optimisation, and making evidence‑based decisions in engineering and manufacturing.
🔬 Triple Science – An essential foundation for engineering, offering in‑depth knowledge of physics, chemistry, and biology. It supports understanding of materials science, mechanics, energy systems, and the technical principles used in modern manufacturing.
🚀 Boost: Skills for life & learning – Helps build confidence and strengthen key skills in numeracy, literacy, science, and digital learning. It supports students in working towards achieving a pass in GCSE Maths and English.
💻 Computer Science – Important for understanding how educational software works, learning basic coding, and using digital tools effectively in modern learning environments.
🎨 Graphics (Excel only) – Important for logo design, branding, posters, digital illustration, and clear visual communication across creative industries.
🏛️ History – Valuable for developing storytelling skills, understanding how events link across time, and sparking curiosity about the world through studying the past.
📸 Photography – Develops the ability to document technical processes clearly, analyse visual information, and present engineering work professionally — all valuable skills for future engineers.
🙏 Religious Education – Helps you explore symbolism, logos, and visual meanings; develop empathy and understanding of different perspectives; and build the ethical and moral awareness important for responsible decision‑making in engineering and manufacturing.
🧵 Textiles – Useful for developing fine motor skills, exploring different materials and textures, and creating practical projects that build creativity and attention to detail.
Discover the exciting career areas you can explore by choosing subjects within the Gateway. From designing smart factories to developing sustainable materials and supporting global supply chains, these pathways show how what you learn in the classroom can lead to real‑world impact.
The table below highlights some of the most popular and wide‑ranging roles currently in high demand – great starting points for thinking about your future career options.
T-levels are a two‑year qualification, equivalent to three A-levels, and combine classroom learning with an in‑depth industry placement lasting at least 45 days. When completed, students can progress onto Higher or Degree Apprenticeships, university, or employment.
T-level in Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing is offered at the following local colleges:
A-levels are a two‑year programme ideal for students who want to study three subjects in depth and progress onto university or a Higher Apprenticeship. They are a strong option for learners who enjoy academic study, like learning facts and theories, perform well in exams, and are confident completing independent learning and research outside the classroom.
Subjects relevant to Engineering, Design and Manufacturing include:
A levels are offered at the following local colleges and 6th Forms:
Apprenticeships can be a great option for learners who are ready for the workplace and confident about the job they want to pursue. To start an apprenticeship, learners must find an employer to take them on by searching for apprenticeship vacancies and completing the employer’s recruitment process. Employers generally look for applicants who are self‑motivated, have a good standard of Maths and English, and are reliable and enthusiastic about achieving their chosen job role.
School leavers will usually begin on either a Level 2 (Intermediate) or Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship, depending on the job requirements and their GCSE grades. Level 3 apprenticeships are broadly equivalent to two A-levels.
Search for Engineering & manufacturing vacancies by postcode Browse apprenticeships before you apply
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Pre‑apprenticeships are ideal for learners who want to progress onto an apprenticeship but may not yet be fully work‑ready. If you need to improve your Maths or English, build confidence, or gain some relevant work experience, a pre‑apprenticeship with a local training provider could be the right next step for you.
Skills‑based courses are available at Level 1 and Level 2 and will include English and Maths if a grade 4 or above has not already been achieved in these subjects.
Stoke on Trent College (Burslem) offer Level 1 and level 2 Skills based courses in:
NSCG offer Level 2 Practical Engineering course: