Materials (glass, paper, plastic and wood)

A field of study in engineering, manufacturing and construction

Figures for

Where can it lead?82 jobsuse what this field teaches.ESCO

Vocational or degree?Mostly vocational7 in 10 train through vocational routes in the EU: 120,000 finished vocational training and 40,000 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

Types of woodCharacteristics of productsManufacturing processesTypes of paperTypes of plasticManufacturing of weapons and ammunitionWood cutsWoodworking processesManufacturing of cutleryLeather goods manufacturing processesSanding techniquesWoodworking tools+ 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

82 jobs use what this field teaches.

Sort by

Jobs that use what materials (glass, paper, plastic and wood) teaches
Job	Prospects	Pay	Usual study	AI exposure
Forklift operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Wood treater	Limited	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Wood drying kiln operator	Limited	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Cooper	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Cabinet maker	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Wood sander	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Antique furniture reproducer	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Woodcarver	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Crosscut saw operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Debarker operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Woodturner	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Furniture finisher	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Manufactured wooden building assembler	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Wood fuel pelletiser	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Furniture restorer	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Basketmaker	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Sawmill operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Wooden furniture machine operator	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Chipper operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Production potter	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Engineered wood board machine operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Carpenter	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Artisan papermaker	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Pottery and porcelain caster	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Nailing machine operator	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Froth flotation deinking operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Low
Paperboard products assembler	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Corrugator operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Edge bander operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	–
Paper stationery machine operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Wood pallet maker	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Wood products assembler	Average	Below average	Vocational	Low
Digester operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Low
Wash deinking operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Low
Plastic furniture machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Toymaker	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Wood boring machine operator	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Furniture cleaner	Good	Below average	Basic schooling	Very low
Paper machine operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Low
Laminating machine operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Low
Paper pulp moulding operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Low
Pulp technician	Limited	About average	Vocational	Low
Filament winding operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Brush maker	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Fibreglass machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Hand brick moulder	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Furniture assembler	Average	Below average	Vocational	Low
Fiberglass laminator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Metal engraver	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Tissue paper perforating and rewinding operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Optical instrument assembler	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Vacuum forming machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Pultrusion machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Wicker furniture maker	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Print folding operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Synthetic materials engineer	Good	Above average	Degree	Low
Paper embossing press operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Bleacher operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Low
Product grader	Limited	Below average	Vocational	Low
Blow moulding machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Recreation model maker	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Car leasing agent	Good	Below average	Vocational	Some tasks
Sales processor	Good	Below average	Vocational	Some tasks
Pulp control operator	Average	About average	Post-secondary	–
Plastic heat treatment equipment operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Plastic rolling machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Kitchen unit installer	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Irrigation system installer	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Sales assistant	Good	Below average	Vocational	Some tasks
Rubber technologist	Good	Above average	Degree	Low
Optical instrument repairer	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Bindery operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Filing machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Plastic products assembler	Average	Below average	Vocational	Low
Dip tank operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Veneer grader	Limited	Below average	Vocational	Low
Cake press operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Insulating tube winder	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Plumber	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Injection moulding operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Surface treatment operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Compression moulding machine operator	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.