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Education technician

Alternative titles for this job include

Education technicians support science, art, IT or design and technology teachers by preparing equipment and materials for practical lessons.

Average salary (a year)

£15,000 Starter

to

£28,500 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 42 term time

You could work

evenings / weekends flexibly

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become an education technician

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You can do a college course to improve your chances of finding work. The exact course you take will depend on which subject area you want to work in as a technician.

Courses include:

  • A levels in your chosen subject area
  • Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science
  • Level 3 Diploma in ICT
  • Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design

You could also take courses like:

  • Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools
  • Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools

Some education technicians have a foundation degree or higher national diploma in their specialist area.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national certificate or higher national diploma

More Information

Apprenticeship

You may be able to get into this job through an advanced apprenticeship in a specialist role, like a lab technician or IT solution technician.

If you want to work in a university you could do a higher education technician advanced apprenticeship.

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

More Information

Direct Application

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got the right skills and experience.

Employers will expect you to have GCSEs (A* to C), A levels or equivalent qualifications in English, maths and usually at least one science subject.

It's becoming more common for technicians to have a relevant higher national diploma, foundation degree or degree, especially for those who work in higher education.

More Information

Career tips

For science roles it may be useful if you have some experience of working in a scientific or technical setting like a lab.

Some schools offer fixed-term technician roles to graduates interested in getting experience of working in the classroom, before going on to teacher training.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join The Association for Science Education or Higher Education and Technician Educational Development for professional development and training opportunities.

What it takes

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

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • knowledge of English language
  • knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
  • knowledge of media production and communication
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

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

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this role you could:

  • collect, set up and check equipment for practical lessons
  • make sure rooms and resources meet health and safety rules
  • support teachers and students during lessons
  • put away equipment after lessons
  • manage equipment, supplies and budgets
  • repair, maintain and modify equipment and teaching aids

Working environment

You could work at a college, at a school or at a university.

Your working environment may be physically demanding.

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 become a senior technician, team leader technician, laboratory or studio manager. You could also work as a teaching assistant or train as a teacher.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Laboratory Technician Apprentice

  • Wage: £17,500.00 Annually
  • Location: Huntingdon

Laboratory Technician Apprentice

  • Wage: £22,000.00 Annually
  • Location: Kidlington
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

LATA L3

  • Provider: CSR SCIENTIFIC TRAINING LIMITED
  • Start date: 03 September 2022
  • Location: Not known

Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in Laboratory Skills

  • Provider: HARRIS ACADEMY SOUTH NORWOOD
  • Start date: 02 September 2022
  • Location: London
Find courses near you

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