Welsh 
Careers in Meteorology
- Careers
- Courses
- Qualifications (CMet, CEnv, NVQ/SVQ)
Careers
See some examples of careers in meteorology in our Spotlight on Careers section.
The
areas within which meteorologists work range from TV and broadcast meteorology
through weather forecasting and climatology to applications in energy,
transport and the planning and operation of great engineering undertakings.
They include the development of complex mathematical representations of
the way the atmosphere works and can be predicted, the manipulation of vast
data resources, the design, development and testing of new instruments,
and the use of modern communications and data-management systems. There
are also close links with sister sciences such as hydrology and physical
oceanography.
Within this wide spectrum, there are opportunities for pure research, applied
research, operational work, scientific and commercial management, entrepreneurial
ventures, teaching and consultancy.
Why not have a look at this pdf, which gives some useful information about meteorology
as a career
Who employs meteorologists?
The Met
Office is the UK's National Meteorological Service (NMS). It is
a Government Agency that is responsible for providing the UK's public
weather service. It is the home of the Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction
and Research, one of ICAO's two World Area Forecast Centres (WAFC)
and is also involved in other, broader meteorological research and
in applied and operational meteorology. It is a large employer of
meteorologists.
There are also a number of private sector weather service providers operating in the UK and Europe who employ meteorologists. These organisations offer a range of different and diverse opportunities, some of which include working overseas and in the media.
Other
Government Departments, agencies and public boides employ meteorologists.
For example, the Natural Environment
Research Council employs meteorologists in its meteorological, oceanographic
and hydrological institutes. In addition, agricultural and fisheries
institutes, the British
Antarctic Survey and various United Nations technical aid programmes
employ meteorologists.
Service
industries, such as those which supply gas, electricity, oil and water,
employ meteorologists in limited numbers; and the private sector of industry
and commerce, as well as some instrument manufacturers and environmental
consultancies, also provide employment for meteorologists. Some of these
organisations are Corporate
Members of the Society.
Courses
To become a leading research or applied scientist, a good degree from a university is essential. This may or may not be in meteorology. Others enter meteorology with degrees in physics or maths. An increasing number of people enter the profession with degrees in associated subjects, including computing, environmental studies, physical geography and electronics.
Those who wish to enter the profession at non-graduate level require A-level or a relevant vocational qualification in a mathematical or physical science. Opportunities exist within the profession for vocational training leading to higher-level qualifications.
Qualifications
Chartered Meteorologist
The Society has developed and operates a Chartered Meteorologist Accreditation Scheme whose purpose is to provide a professional qualification in meteorology at a level equivalent to that of Chartered Engineer. Accreditation as a Chartered Meteorologist (CMet) assures clients and employers that the individual, in addition to initial graduate qualification, has reached and continues to maintain a specified level of specialist knowledge and experience. Holders are required to show themselves to be conversant with current best practice and to subscribe to a Code of Conduct. The Society is the regulatory body for the meteorological profession in the UK and as such the Chartered Meteorologist qualification is recognized throughout the EU as the highest professional qualification available within meteorology.
Chartered Environmentalist
The Society can now offer members a route to a new Charter qualification. The Society is a founding Constituent Body of the Society for the Environment and has recently been awarded a licence by that Society which permits us to use our CMet process to award the alternative qualification of Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) on their behalf. The requirements for and objectives of the CEnv are similar to but not the same as those of CMet and it may be that they are more appropriate for some of our members.
National and Scottish Vocational Qualifications (NVQ/SVQ)
The second group of qualifications comprises NVQs/SVQs for weather forecasters and weather observers. National/Scottish Vocational Qualifications (N/SVQs) are based upon National Occupational Standards (NOS).