Made redundant from manufacturing, struggling to get back into engineering. Advice welcome

I think Andy has given an excellent answer to most of the questions but I hope I can add a couple of potential suggestions for What can I do outside of work to keep my engineering skills current, such as personal projects, courses or CAD work?

If you have time for training or self-study then CPD is a good way to keep up to date with what is happening, this could be as simple as reading E&T magazine or if you want something a little more detailed then we have a good source of trusted Learning and development resources from the IET and the events search also helps - IET events and courses search - there is a free online lecture next week on Automation & the Future of Manufacturing: A 25-Year Outlook which might be of interest and the online and free tags will help you find those that are accessible if you are working or can't attend in person.

From a wider perspective, volunteering can help - it's a good networking opportunity and there are lots of opportunities if you have time.  The IET offers a lot of good softer skills opportunities, but if you're looking for engineering specifically then organisations like remap (REMAP - Custom made equipment for disabled people) or repair cafes give practical opportunities for hands on opportunities which might also be of interest.  I don't have a formal affiliation of any of these but just sharing from other engineers I have spoken to over time.

Foothold also have some useful career resources that might help more generally - Career support resources - Foothold

There was an interesting radio programme on this lunchtime about iced coffee in interviews (it's a social media thing), and from that the wider issues surrounding application and interview etiquette. Should be up on the BBC website soon BBC Radio 4 - AntiSocial, Breaking the ice on iced coffee

In summary: the whole thing about CVs and interviews is about coming across as confident but not entitled. No-one wants to employ someone who they think will be a pain in the bottom to work with.

One point I would definitely agree with one of the panellists on and disagree with a professional recruiter who contributed: as in the post above, DO ask for advice and guidance. (The recruiter was complaining about applicants who didn't know how to write CVs or present themselves etc.) Yes, to a professional recruiter or experienced recruiting manager this stuff is "obvious",  but if you've never sat on our side of the fence it really isn't - I remember those days even though they were a long time ago. So I always like it when people post these questions here, it's a great use of these forums.

And incidentally for those who've been following the social media discussions: please don't insist on taking iced coffee into interviews (no problem with asking "is it ok if I bring this in?") - in fact if you're as clumsy as me when you get nervous don't bring anything in at all that you're likely to throw over your notes / the interviewer's desk / the interviewers! 

P.S. As a Repair Cafe trustee / organiser / volunteer I'd give a definite +1 to Kathryn's suggestion.

There was an interesting radio programme on this lunchtime about iced coffee in interviews (it's a social media thing), and from that the wider issues surrounding application and interview etiquette. Should be up on the BBC website soon BBC Radio 4 - AntiSocial, Breaking the ice on iced coffee

In summary: the whole thing about CVs and interviews is about coming across as confident but not entitled. No-one wants to employ someone who they think will be a pain in the bottom to work with.

One point I would definitely agree with one of the panellists on and disagree with a professional recruiter who contributed: as in the post above, DO ask for advice and guidance. (The recruiter was complaining about applicants who didn't know how to write CVs or present themselves etc.) Yes, to a professional recruiter or experienced recruiting manager this stuff is "obvious",  but if you've never sat on our side of the fence it really isn't - I remember those days even though they were a long time ago. So I always like it when people post these questions here, it's a great use of these forums.

And incidentally for those who've been following the social media discussions: please don't insist on taking iced coffee into interviews (no problem with asking "is it ok if I bring this in?") - in fact if you're as clumsy as me when you get nervous don't bring anything in at all that you're likely to throw over your notes / the interviewer's desk / the interviewers! 

P.S. As a Repair Cafe trustee / organiser / volunteer I'd give a definite +1 to Kathryn's suggestion.