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Engineering construction craftworker

Alternative titles for this job include

Engineering construction craftworkers fit and repair machinery and equipment in buildings and structures from oil rigs to sports stadiums.

Average salary (a year)

£19,000 Starter

to

£33,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

42 to 44 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Engineering construction craftworker

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You could do a college course, which may help you to find a trainee craft position with a company once you finish. Courses include:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Engineering
  • Level 2 Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
  • Level 2 Certificate in Engineering Operations
  • Level 3 Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Practice
  • T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction
  • T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control

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

  • 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

You could start by doing an engineering operative intermediate apprenticeship. The exact apprenticeship you do will depend on your area of work. Examples include:

  • welding
  • pipefitting
  • mechanical fitting
  • electrical installation

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You could apply directly for craft jobs if you've got experience and qualifications from other areas of engineering, construction or the armed forces.

More Information

Registration

Further information

You'll find more advice about careers and training in craft engineering from the Engineering and Construction Industry Training Board and Tomorrow's Engineers.

What it takes

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

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • knowledge of building and construction
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to operate and control equipment
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

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

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties will depend on your job but you could:

  • fix girders and sections into place on construction projects
  • position and install pipes and ductwork
  • cut and weld metal plates and pipes
  • install heating and water systems in industrial and commercial buildings
  • cut, shape and assemble metal sheets and panels
  • service and repair machinery and tools
  • fit, test and repair electrical control panels, motors, valves and pumps

Working environment

You could work on a rig, on a construction site or in a workshop.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and you'll travel often.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could move into a chargehand or supervisory management role.

With further training, you could become a construction engineering or building services technician.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Maintenance Engineer

  • Wage: £13,312 a year Annually
  • Location: Hanley, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire

Machining Apprentice

  • Wage: £13,145.60 a year Annually
  • Location: BEAM HEATH WAY, NANTWICH
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Engineering

  • Provider: HULL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Hull

Engineering

  • Provider: LUMINATE EDUCATION GROUP
  • Start date: 13 September 2025
  • Location: Leeds
Find courses near you

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