How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
University
You could do a foundation degree or higher national diploma in civil, mechanical or electrical engineering before looking for a job as a technician.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
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College
You could take a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge needed to move onto an apprenticeship, or into a trainee technician position.
Courses include:
- engineering
- welding
- engineering construction
- supporting engineering construction operations
- T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction
If you want to specialise in design work, you could take a course in computer-aided design.
You can find out more about courses that may be useful in the engineering construction industry from the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB).
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
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Apprenticeship
You could apply to do an apprenticeship with an engineering or construction firm, including:
- Welder Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Engineering Construction Erector-Rigger Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Engineering Construction Pipefitter Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Building Services Engineering Craftsperson Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Civil Engineering Senior Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
Entry requirements
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
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Work
You could start as an engineering craftworker, with a company, and become a technician through on-the-job training and promotion.
Direct Application
You could apply directly for technician jobs if you've got experience and qualifications from other areas of engineering, construction or the armed forces.
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Registration
- you'll need an industry safety certificate like the Client Contractor National Safety Group (CCNSG) Safety Passport Scheme for many jobs
Further information
You can find more details about a career as a technician from the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB).