Manufacturing engineers and craftspeople mostly work in industries which produce things - and lots of them too. They design, build and maintain all the systems in factories, including automated and computer-controlled machines

What qualifications have you got? There are opportunities for all kinds of people in manufacturing engineering. These are the main openings:

Modern apprentices want to earn while they learn, rather than doing A levels. You'll need good GCSEs for this option and it could lead to a good job or university, depending on how you want to play your career.

Graduates, are people who have studied for a degree at university - usually in manufacturing engineering, materials engineering, mechanical engineering or a related subject. You'll probably need science and maths A levels or an advanced GNVQ to get in, but nowadays there are alternative entry qualifications.

Managers - they're the ones with the big offices and leather chairs (although lots of engineers end up in management).

People who hate factories and don't think sliced bread was a good thing

Anyone who enjoyed science and design and technology at school. Manufacturing engineers get to see all the different stages of a process, from mountains of muddy potatoes to shiny packs of crisps

Shoes - not everyone can afford hand-made shoes.

Biscuits - eating raw flour and sugar just isn't the same is it?

Television - was there life before it?

Tinned tomato soup - how did anyone ever get through a cold without

Engineering Council

The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAES)