Mechanics and metal trades

A field of study in engineering, manufacturing and construction

Figures for

Where can it lead?170 jobsuse what this field teaches.ESCO

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

MechanicsTypes of metalEngineering processesMechanical toolsFerrous metal processingTypes of metal manufacturing processesQuality and cycle time optimisationHydraulicsMechanical engineeringNon-ferrous metal processingMetal forming technologiesMechanical 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

170 jobs use what this field teaches.

Sort by

Jobs that use what mechanics and metal trades teaches
Job	Prospects	Pay	Usual study	AI exposure
Metal furnace operator	Average	About average	Post-secondary	Low
Coppersmith	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Blacksmith	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Casting machine operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Structural ironworker	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Upsetting machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Drop forging hammer worker	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Metal drawing machine operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Hydraulic forging press worker	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Swaging machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Gear machinist	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Metal rolling mill operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Sheet metal worker	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Fitter and turner	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Locksmith	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Tumbling machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Thread rolling machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Metal polisher	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Precision mechanic	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Brazier	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Mechanical forging press worker	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Spring maker	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Chain making machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Fluid power technician	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Metal nibbling operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Rustproofer	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Boring machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Casting mould maker	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Tool and die maker	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Wire weaving machine operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Surface grinding machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Metal annealer	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Deburring machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Solderer	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Cylindrical grinder operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Extrusion machine operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Straightening machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Screw machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Ornamental metal worker	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Stamping press operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Filing machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Welding coordinator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Land-based machinery technician	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Drill press operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Gunsmith	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Forge equipment technician	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Spark erosion machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Heat treatment furnace operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Moulding machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Metal planer operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Aircraft gas turbine engine overhaul technician	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Electroplating machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Diesel engine mechanic	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Greaser	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Coating machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Excavator operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Container equipment assembler	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Laser marking machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Watch and clock repairer	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Scrap metal operative	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Metallurgical technician	Average	About average	Post-secondary	Very low
Oxy fuel burning machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Pipeline pump operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Metallurgist	Good	Above average	Degree	Very low
Metal products assembler	Average	Below average	Vocational	Low
Tunnel boring machine operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Marine fitter	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Mining equipment mechanic	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Oil rig motorhand	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Stone driller	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Briquetting machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Welder	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Dip tank operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Crane technician	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Anodising machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Rotating equipment mechanic	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Surgical instrument maker	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Pneumatic systems technician	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Dismantling worker	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Moulding machine technician	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Plasma cutting machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Industrial machinery mechanic	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Mobile crane operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Router operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Drilling machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Aircraft de-icer installer	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Enameller	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Metal furniture machine operator	Average	Below average	Vocational	Low
Construction equipment technician	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Tool grinder	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Lift technician	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Stone planer	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Mechanical engineering technician	Good	About average	Post-secondary	Very low
Lacquer spray gun operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Clock and watchmaker	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Mechanical engineer	Good	Above average	Degree	Very low
Surface treatment operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Product development engineering technician	Average	About average	Post-secondary	Very low
Abrasive blasting operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Industrial machinery assembler	Good	Below average	Vocational	Low
Aircraft assembler	Good	Below average	Vocational	Low
Ammunition assembler	Average	Below average	Vocational	Low
Boilermaker	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Computer numerical control machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Jewellery assembler	Average	Below average	Vocational	Low
Wastewater engineer	Good	Above average	Degree	Low
Aircraft maintenance technician	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Aircraft engine specialist	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Quarry engineer	Good	Above average	Degree	Very low
Bicycle assembler	Average	Below average	Vocational	Low
Vessel engine assembler	Good	Below average	Vocational	Low
Marine mechanic	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Ski lift operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Jeweller	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Shipwright	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Aircraft maintenance engineer	Average	About average	Post-secondary	Very low
Rolling stock assembler	Good	Below average	Vocational	Low
Sewer construction worker	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Automotive brake technician	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Power tool repair technician	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Metal engraver	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Pyrotechnics drying room attendant	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Steam plant operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Rubber goods assembler	Average	Below average	Vocational	Low
Tyre fitter	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Refurbishing technician	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Irrigation system installer	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Automated assembly line operator	Average	About average	Post-secondary	–
Industrial engineer	Good	Above average	Degree	Low
Fibre optic installer	Average	About average	Vocational	Very low
Vehicle maintenance attendant	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Coachbuilder	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Firework assembler	Average	Below average	Vocational	Low
Plastic products assembler	Average	Below average	Vocational	Low
Train preparer	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Ship assistant engineer	Average	About average	Post-secondary	Very low
Textile machinery technician	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Robotics engineer	Good	Above average	Degree	Very low
Fisheries engineering technician	Average	About average	Post-secondary	Very low
Underground heavy equipment operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Process engineer	Good	Above average	Degree	Low
Wood boring machine operator	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Process engineering technician	Average	About average	Post-secondary	Very low
Sawmill operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Patent engineer	Good	Above average	Degree	Very low
Engine minder	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Stone polisher	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Shunter	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Shotfirer	Limited	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Mine safety officer	Average	About average	Post-secondary	Very low
Aircraft maintenance coordinator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Petroleum pump system operator	Average	About average	Post-secondary	Very low
Concrete pump operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Low
Desalination technician	Average	About average	Post-secondary	Very low
Acoustical engineer	Good	Above average	Degree	Very low
Ship duty engineer	Average	About average	Post-secondary	Very low
Land-based machinery operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Dependability engineer	Good	Above average	Degree	Very low
Industrial engineering technician	Average	About average	Post-secondary	Very low
Materials engineer	Good	Above average	Degree	Very low
Winding machine operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Motor vehicle assembler	Good	Below average	Vocational	Low
Heating and ventilation service installer	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Record press operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Roadside vehicle technician	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Marine chief engineer	Average	About average	Post-secondary	Very low
Maintenance and repair engineer	Good	Above average	Degree	Low
Commissioning technician	Average	About average	Post-secondary	Very low
Vehicle technician	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Cake press 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.