Electronics and automation
A field of study in engineering, manufacturing and construction
Vocational or degree?Both routes6 in 10 train through vocational routes in the EU: 458,000 finished vocational training and 358,000 higher education in this field (2024). Figures for the wider field.Eurostat
Do graduates use it?73% in a matching jobof engineering graduates with a degree in the EU work in a job that matches what they studied. After vocational training: 53%.All engineering fields · Eurostat 2024
Do they find work?87% in workof people who finished higher education in the last 1 to 3 years in the EU (2025). Vocational training: 80%. General upper secondary only: 67%.All fields · Eurostat
What you'd learn
ElectronicsAutomation technologyElectromechanicsSurveillance methodsElectronic communicationRoboticsElectronics principlesICT communications protocolsICT infrastructureRobotic componentsComputer engineeringEmbedded systems+ 13 more
The knowledge areas ESCO files under this field, those most needed by jobs first. Actual programmes vary by school and country.
Where it can lead
51 jobs use what this field teaches.
| Job | Prospects | Pay | Usual study | AI exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telecommunications technician | Average | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Consumer electronics repair technician | Good | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Surface-mount technology machine operator | Good | Below average | Vocational | Low |
| Automated optical inspection operator | Limited | Below average | Vocational | Low |
| Radio technician | Average | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Printed circuit board test technician | Limited | Below average | Vocational | Low |
| Precision instrument assembler | Limited | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Mechatronics assembler | Good | Below average | Vocational | Low |
| Railway electronic technician | Good | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Office equipment repair technician | Good | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Electronic equipment assembler | Good | Below average | Vocational | Low |
| Communication infrastructure maintainer | Average | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Marine electronics technician | Good | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Industrial robot controller | Average | About average | Post-secondary | – |
| Electronics engineering technician | Good | About average | Post-secondary | Low |
| Telecommunications manager | Good | Well above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Security alarm technician | Average | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Autonomous driving specialist | Good | Above average | Degree | Very low |
| ATM repair technician | Good | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Refurbishing technician | Good | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Wave soldering machine operator | Good | Below average | Vocational | Low |
| Smart home engineer | Good | Above average | Degree | Very low |
| Rolling stock assembler | Good | Below average | Vocational | Low |
| Control panel tester | Limited | Below average | Vocational | Low |
| Electrician | Good | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Computer hardware repair technician | Average | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Innovation engineer | Good | Above average | Degree | Very low |
| Automation engineering technician | Average | About average | Post-secondary | Very low |
| Avionics technician | Good | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Motorcycle assembler | Good | Below average | Vocational | Low |
| Smart home installer | Good | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Electrical mechanic | Good | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Theme park technician | Good | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Tramways technician | Good | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Telecommunications engineering technician | Good | About average | Post-secondary | Low |
| Telecommunications engineer | Good | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Motor vehicle assembler | Good | Below average | Vocational | Low |
| Rolling stock electrician | Good | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Warfare specialist | – | – | Vocational | – |
| Aircraft assembler | Good | Below average | Vocational | Low |
| Electronics engineer | Good | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Household appliances repair technician | Good | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Mining electrician | Good | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Coachbuilder | Good | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Telecommunications equipment maintainer | Average | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Insurance clerk | Good | About average | Vocational | High |
| Dental instrument assembler | Good | Below average | Vocational | Low |
| Property assistant | Good | About average | Vocational | High |
| Product quality controller | Limited | Below average | Vocational | Low |
| Robotics engineer | Good | Above average | Degree | Very low |
| Vehicle electronics installer | Good | About average | Vocational | Very low |
Jobs that need the knowledge this field teaches (ESCO), closest match first. This is not a record of where graduates actually end up: no EU-wide data says that per field.
Where to study
949 institutions in the EU offer engineering bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.