BlueButton

What is this gateway?

Thinking about your Options?

Start shaping your future with the right choices.

Explore how the subjects and skills youโ€™re learning now can lead to exciting careers in **Engineering, Design & Manufacturing**โ€”a fast-moving sector packed with innovation, cutting-edge technology, and real-world impact. From designing the next generation of electric vehicles to building robots and 3D-printing aircraft parts, this is where creativity meets technical skill.

Check whatโ€™s available at your school and remember: choosing a strong mix of creative, technical, and analytical subjects keeps your options wide open and your future full of possibilities.

Core subjects

๐Ÿ“– English โ€“ Essential for technical report writing, presenting designs, client pitches, and clear communication in project teams and patents.

๐Ÿ”ข Maths โ€“ The backbone of all engineering: calculations, tolerances, stress analysis, cost modelling, and the language every designer and manufacturer speaks.

๐Ÿงช Science โ€“ Builds understanding of forces, energy, materials, chemistry and electricity โ€“ the real-world principles behind every product, machine and process youโ€™ll design or make.

๐Ÿ’ป Digital (Computing/IT) โ€“ Drives modern engineering: coding for automation, CAD/CAM software, 3D modelling, controlling robots, and running smart factories.

What to study?

Relevant Year 9 Options Subjects

Closely Linked Subjects

๐ŸŽจ Art โ€“ Relevant for product design, prototyping, and aesthetics in manufacturing.
๐Ÿ’ผ Business โ€“ Important for understanding production, supply chains, and operations.
๐Ÿ’ป Computer Science โ€“ Key for automation, robotics, and digital manufacturing.
๐Ÿ—๏ธ Construction & the Built Environment โ€“ Useful for infrastructure and industrial facility roles.
โš™๏ธ Engineering โ€“ Core subject for manufacturing; covers design, materials, processes.
๐Ÿงฎ Further Maths โ€“ Valuable for design, analysis, and problem-solving in advanced manufacturing.
๐Ÿงต Textiles โ€“ Directly linked to textile manufacturing and design.
๐Ÿ”ฌ Triple Science โ€“ Especially Physics and Chemistry, which are foundational for understanding materials and processes.

Linked Subjects

๐Ÿƒ BTEC Sports โ€“ Relevant for biomechanics, sports engineering, and ergonomics in product design.
๐Ÿ“ฝ๏ธ Creative Media โ€“ Useful in product marketing, instructional design, or digital prototyping.
๐Ÿ“ธ Photography โ€“ May be relevant in product documentation or marketing.
๐ŸŒ Geography โ€“ Useful for logistics, sustainability, and environmental impact studies.
๐Ÿฉบ Health & Social Care โ€“ Useful in manufacturing of medical devices or health-related products.
๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ MFL โ€“ Useful for international manufacturing operations and communication.

Career areas

Unlock Careers in Engineering, Design & Manufacturing

See the exciting career areas you can unlock by studying subjects within the EDM Gateway. From designing smart factories to shaping sustainable materials and ensuring global supply chains run smoothly, these pathways turn your classroom learning into real-world impact.

The table below highlights 10 of the most popular and diverse roles currently in high demandโ€”perfect starting points for your future.

Top 10 Career Areas within this Gateway
  • โš™๏ธ Mechanical Engineer / Design Engineer
  • ๐Ÿญ Manufacturing / Production Engineer
  • ๐Ÿค– Robotics & Automation Engineer
  • ๐Ÿ–จ๏ธ Additive Manufacturing Engineer (3D Printing)
  • โœ๏ธ Industrial / Product Designer
  • ๐ŸŽ›๏ธ Control & Instrumentation Engineer
  • โœ… Quality Engineer / Quality Manager
  • ๐Ÿงช Materials Engineer
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Maintenance & Reliability Engineer
  • ๐ŸŒฟ Sustainable / Green Manufacturing Engineer

Post-16 opportunities

Below is a list of College courses, Click on the provider:

โš™๏ธ Mechanical Engineer / Design Engineer – [Web link to page]
๐Ÿญ Manufacturing / Production Engineer – [Web link to page]
๐Ÿค– Robotics & Automation Engineer – [Web link to page]
๐Ÿ–จ๏ธ Additive Manufacturing Engineer – [Web link to page]
โœ๏ธ Industrial / Product Designer – [Web link to page]
๐ŸŽ›๏ธ Control & Instrumentation Engineer – [Web link to page]
โœ… Quality Engineer / Quality Manager – [Web link to page]
๐Ÿงช Materials Engineer – [Web link to page]
๐Ÿ”ง Maintenance & Reliability Engineer – [Web link to page]
๐ŸŒฟ Sustainable Manufacturing Engineer – [Web link to page]

Below is a list of companies offering training opportunities:

IAE – Stoke-on-Trent – [Weblink to page]
Goodwins International – Stoke-on-Trent – [Weblink to page]
Bowson Engineering Ltd – Stoke-on-Trent – [Weblink to page]
Glebe Engineering – Stoke-on-Trent – [Weblink to page]