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Building technician

Alternative titles for this job include Site technician

Building technicians support engineers, surveyors and architects on construction projects.

Average salary (a year)

£19,000 Starter

to

£35,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Building technician

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship

University

You could take a foundation degree or higher national diploma in:

  • construction
  • the built environment
  • surveying
  • civil engineering

Courses that give you the opportunity to gain work experience through internships, placements or a year in industry may give you an advantage.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

More Information

College

You can do a college course, which may help you to get a job as a trainee technician.

Courses include:

  • Level 3 Diploma in Civil Engineering
  • Level 3 Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment
  • T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

Apprenticeship

The following apprenticeships may be relevant to this role:

  • surveying technician advanced apprenticeship
  • construction support technician advanced apprenticeship
  • building services engineering technician higher apprenticeship
  • construction design and build technician higher apprenticeship
  • construction site engineering technician higher apprenticeship

The exact apprenticeship you take will depend on the type of company, your job role and duties.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

More Information

Registration

Further information

You can get more advice on how to become a building technician from Go Construct.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of building and construction
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • analytical thinking skills
  • maths knowledge
  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

You could:

  • estimate construction costs to support bids for new work projects
  • negotiate materials, equipment and labour costs with suppliers
  • check supplier quality
  • help to plan the methods used in each construction stage
  • draft construction plans and blueprints using CAD software
  • monitor build progress against completion dates
  • give update reports at progress meetings
  • prepare construction sites before work begins
  • supervise teams of contractors

Working environment

You could work on a construction site or in an office.

Your working environment may be at height and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you could move into construction project management or specialise in estimating, CAD drafting or buying.

You could find work with:

  • national and international building firms and contractors
  • central and local government
  • organisations that do their own construction work, like utility companies, major retailers and the NHS

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Civil Engineering Senior Technician Apprentice

  • Wage: £23,500 a year Annually
  • Location: West Street, Chichester, West Sussex

Building Services Management Apprenticeship

  • Wage: Competitive Annually
  • Location: Edmund Street, Birmingham
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

T Level Construction - Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

  • Provider: UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM
  • Start date: 15 September 2025
  • Location: Birmingham

T Level Construction - Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

  • Provider: HAVANT AND SOUTH DOWNS COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Waterlooville
Find courses near you

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