Engineering construction technician
Engineering construction technicians support engineers to design, install and decommission commercial and industrial buildings and sites.
- Starter salary£26,000 a year
- Experienced£50,000 a year
- Typical hours40 to 42 a week
What you'll do
As an engineering construction technician, you could:
- position, install and dismantle metal sections on structures
- cut, weld and assemble panels, pipework and beams in buildings
- use computer-aided design software to help create engineering plans
- install or remove pipework on commercial and industrial sites
- inspect and test systems and equipment to find faults
- keep accurate work records
- supervise a team of craftspeople
Working environment
You could work on a construction site, in a factory or in an office.
Your working environment may be physically demanding, at height and you may spend nights away from home.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- knowledge of building and construction
- the ability to work well with your hands
- maths knowledge
- the ability to use your initiative
- analytical thinking skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to become a engineering construction technician
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
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
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.
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.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could move into site safety, management jobs or specialise in particular areas, like engineering design, testing or procurement.
You might also take further training to qualify as a civil, structural or building services engineer.
Registration
- you'll need an industry safety certificate like the Client Contractor National Safety Group (CCNSG) Safety Passport Scheme for many jobs
Guides for this industry
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