1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Education technician

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)

£16,000 Starter

to

£32,000 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 do 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 Information Technology
  • Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design

You could also do a Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools or a Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools.

Some education technicians have a higher national diploma, foundation degree or degree in their specialist area. You might need this if you want to work in higher education.

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 might 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 education technician jobs if you've got the right skills and experience.

Employers will expect you to have GCSEs 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels or equivalent qualifications in English, maths and usually at least one science subject.

More Information

Career tips

For science roles, it might be useful if you have worked in a scientific or technical setting like a lab.

You might be able to get a fixed-term technician role to get experience of working in a classroom before moving 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 to be a teacher.


Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Laboratory Apprentice

  • Wage: £18,000.00 Annually
  • Location: Garston, Watford, Hertfordshire

Laboratory Technician Apprentice

  • Wage: £10,004.80 Annually
  • Location: Albany Road, Gateshead
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in Laboratory Skills

  • Provider: WOODBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
  • Start date: 01 September 2023
  • Location: Woodford Green

Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in Laboratory Skills

  • Provider: SWINTON ACADEMY
  • Start date: 01 September 2023
  • Location: Mexborough
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturday and bank holidays

We're closed Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.