Electrical engineering technician
Electrical engineering technicians install, repair and maintain electrical equipment, systems and controls.
- Starter salary£24,000 a year
- Experienced£48,000 a year
- Typical hours40 to 42 a week
- Green jobPotential
What you'll do
Depending on where you work as an electrical engineering technician, you could:
- install turbines, switchgear and power lines
- service traffic lights, street lights and motorway signs
- assemble, fit and repair drives, motors and programmable logic control (PLC) panels
- upgrade rail and signalling systems
- fix electrical faults in machines and carry out safety inspections
- install and maintain lights, heating, lifts and escalators
Working environment
You could work in a workshop, in an office, at a power station or in a factory.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- knowledge of maths
- the ability to work well with your hands
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- analytical thinking skills
- complex problem-solving skills
- the ability to work well with others
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to become a electrical engineering technician
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
University
You can do a foundation degree or higher national diploma in electrical and electronic engineering.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
College
You can take a college course, which would teach you some of the skills needed for the job and may help you to find a trainee position with a company.
Relevant courses include:
- electrical installation
- electrical and electronic engineering
- T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction
- T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control
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
Apprenticeship
You can apply to do an Engineering and Manufacturing Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship.
You can also do a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, such as:
- Installation and Maintenance
- Engineering Maintenance Technician
- Engineering Technician
- Power Industry Substation Fitter
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Direct application
You can apply directly for jobs if you have relevant experience and qualifications. For example, from electrical, electronic, power or building services engineering.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could:
- move into leadership, managing a team of technicians
- become self employed as an electrical sub contractor
- take on electrical design work
- train more to qualify as an electrical engineer
- become a building service engineer or facilities manager
Guides for this industry
Related roles
- Job roleElectrical engineer
- Job roleFacilities manager
- Job roleBuilding services engineer
- Job roleElectricity distribution worker
- Job roleElectrician
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