More than 700,000 university graduates in the UK are currently out of work and claiming benefits - a figure that has risen by 46% since 2019. According to a January 2026 report from the Centre for Social Justice, economic inactivity is being driven not by a lack of ambition, but by poor health, reduced entry-level opportunities, and a rapidly tightening job market.
At the same time, UK manufacturing and engineering are undergoing one of the most exciting transformations in decades.
At Quest, we see opportunity where others see challenge.
A New Path for Smart, Curious Graduates
We are actively looking for talented graduates from all academic backgrounds who want to apply their logic, problem-solving ability, and curiosity in a practical, future-focused environment. You don’t need a traditional engineering degree to succeed here. What matters most is how you think.
As our organisation pivots toward AI-driven manufacturing, robotic automation, and advanced engineering control, we need people who are ready to learn, adapt, and grow with us. That’s why we are opening pathways for graduates to retrain as Engineers or Engineering Support Assistants, gaining real industrial experience alongside structured learning.
A Serious Engineering Environment
This isn’t theoretical training or classroom simulation.
Quest already operates:
- Over 65 CNC machine tools
- 10 CNC measuring and inspection systems
- A growing portfolio of automated and data-driven manufacturing processes
We are also investing over £1 million in new technology to meet increasing customer demand and stay at the cutting edge of precision engineering. Every new system requires skilled people to programme, monitor, optimise, and manage it - and that’s where our future engineers come from.
Learn While You Build a Career
Successful candidates can train with us through our three-year Quest Diploma, an in-house programme covering:
- Engineering control systems
- CNC machining and measurement
- Automation and robotics
- Production management and leadership
- Quality, compliance, and continuous improvement
This is a paid, hands-on route into a long-term engineering career, designed to create engineers who understand both technology and decision-making.
Engineering Needs Diversity of Thought
Some of the best engineers don’t start out as engineers.
Graduates from maths, physics, computer science, economics, psychology, design, or even humanities often bring fresh perspectives, strong analytical skills, and the ability to manage complex systems. As engineering becomes more software-driven and data-led, those skills are not just useful, they are essential.
Your Degree Is Not Wasted. It’s Redirected.
If you’re a graduate feeling overlooked, under-utilised, or stuck outside the workforce, Quest offers something different: a future-proof career in advanced engineering, supported by training, technology, and real responsibility.
- The machines are ready.
- The technology is in place.
- We’re looking for the people.
We will be adding recruitment adverts to our Careers page in the coming weeks, please apply if you have a powerful curiosity in what we can offer.