Engineering technician

As an engineering technician, you will be helping to design, make and repair all different types of machinery.

Work activities

Engineering technicians perform many different jobs, such as:

Helping to design, make and repair all types of machinery.
Using tools and fitting skills.
Welding.
Testing of equipment.
Carrying out risk assessments.
Purchasing raw materials and parts.

As an engineering technician you will support the work of senior engineers across a wide range of activities. For example, helping to design and develop cars that are more economical, testing jet engines or developing agricultural equipment. You could work in one of many different industries, including:

Aerospace.
Automotive.
Building services.
Construction.
Electrical.
Manufacturing.

Personal qualities and skills

As an engineering technician, you’ll need:

Good technical skills.
The ability to use technical drawings and plans.
To keep up to date with advances in technology.
To be good with your hands, using tools and machinery.
Creativity to overcome problems.
To be able to explain technical and complex ideas clearly, so that non-technical people can understand.

You will need to work carefully with other engineers and technicians.

Pay and opportunities

As an engineering technician, you can expect to earn in the range of £18,000, rising to £40,000 with experience. You will usually work a 37-40 hours week, Monday to Friday. Shift work, evening, night and weekend work may be required.

Employers are small and large manufacturing industries throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local newspapers, trade industry publications, and on the Government’s Find a Job service. Vacancies can also be found through specialist engineering recruitment agencies and internet job boards.

Entry routes and training

You may not need A-levels to get into this job – a level 3 (advanced) apprenticeship in the role of engineering technician is a great way into this career path. This way, most of your training will be on the job, although you will also study towards relevant qualifications which support your work.

As an engineering technician, you might be able to progress to a specialist posts or to team leader/supervisor positions after further training and experience.

Qualifications

If you wish to enter this career through an advanced apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.

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.

Those with skills gained in industrial production work have an advantage.

Related careers

Aerospace engineering technician
Automobile engineering technician
Computer assembly technician
Electrical engineering technician
Engineer
Maritime engineering technician
Mechanical engineering technician
Production engineering technician