Civil engineering technician

Civil engineering technicians help in the design, drawing, surveying and supervision of construction projects such as roads, tunnels, bridges, sewage and water systems and factories.

Also known as:

• Construction engineering technician
• Structural engineering technician

Work activities

Civil engineering technicians carry out a variety of tasks to support civil and structural engineers. They work as part of a team on a wide range of construction projects. Civil engineering includes roads, reservoirs, coastal protection schemes, airports, railways, water systems and bridges. Structural engineering is a part of civil engineering that deals with structures and large buildings, including sports stadia, bridges, dams and power stations. Technicians’ work can be office-based, site-based or a mixture of both, depending on the employer and individual projects. On-site, technicians often provide a link between managers, craft workers and operatives. Technicians may also be responsible for health and safety on-site.

During construction, they make sure that the standards of materials and work are high. They supervise work, check progress and help to make sure that projects run on time. Technicians also carry out some measurement work. This includes taking measurements of completed work on-site so that payments to contractors can be calculated. Structural engineering technicians calculate loads and stresses on structures to make sure that they will stay up and are safe.

Personal qualities and skills

As a Civil Engineering Technician, you’ll need:

• IT skills.
• To enjoy practical tasks.
• Good communication skills.
• To be a good teamworker.
• Number skills, as you might have to do a lot of figure work, eg, calculating, measuring and estimating.
• To pay attention to detail as your work needs to be neat and accurate.
• Good organisational and administrative skills.

Most technicians will spend some time out on-site; some are outdoors in all weather conditions for much of the time.

Pay and opportunities

Salaries vary depending on the company, role and level of responsibility. Civil engineering technicians earn in the range of £18,000, rising to £40,000 with experience.

Most work around 37-40 hours, Monday to Friday. You may have early starts and late finishes, and you may need to work some weekends.

Employers are firms of engineering consultants, building and civil engineering contractors, local authorities, and gas, water and electricity companies. Other employers include the Civil Service, manufacturing industry and the armed forces. Opportunities for civil engineering technicians occur with employers in towns and cities throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

Entry requirements vary. Most employers ask that you have at least four GCSEs at grades 9-4. Useful subjects include English, maths, physics, and construction and the built environment. Many entrants do a full-time college course leading to something like an Edexcel (BTEC) National diploma in construction and the built environment.

Courses in civil engineering or construction are available at a large number of colleges. You could also take courses in subjects like building studies, although you will need to study further structural subjects to become qualified in civil engineering.

You could also undertake an advanced or higher apprenticeship:

• Civil engineering technician (level 3 / advanced)
• Civil engineering senior technician (level 4 / higher)

These pathways are work-based, but you will also work towards relevant qualifications.

Training will mainly be on-the-job.

Civil engineering technicians often continue training to become fully qualified civil or structural engineers.

Qualifications

To enter an Edexcel (BTEC) National course in construction, you will usually need:

• Four GCSEs at grades 9-4. Subjects include English, maths and a science subject (physics preferred).
• Two A-levels/equivalent.

Other acceptable qualifications might include an Edexcel (BTEC) First certificate in engineering or construction and the built environment.

It is possible for you to continue your studies and training to gain the additional qualifications and experience for incorporated and chartered engineer status.

To qualify for an advanced apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme. To do a higher apprenticeship, you’ll need two A-levels as well as GCSEs in English and maths.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Late entrants are often qualified or have skills gained in a related field of engineering or construction.

Related careers

• Assistant quantity surveyor
• Building technician
• Civil engineer
• Structural engineer