Heating and ventilation engineer
Heating and ventilation engineers install and service heating and air conditioning systems in buildings like offices, schools and hospitals.
Also known as: HVAC engineer
- Starter salary£20,000 a year
- Experienced£40,000 a year
- Typical hours41 to 43 a week
- Green jobPotential
What you'll do
As a heating and ventilation engineer, you'll:
- follow design blueprints to fit heating equipment and pipework
- install ductwork and ventilation systems
- design and install control panels that adjust heating systems
- find and fix faults
- plan and carry out regular maintenance and repairs
Working environment
You could work at a client's business.
Your working environment may be at height, cramped and you'll travel often.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- practical skills for installing equipment
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- problem-solving skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of building and construction
- analytical thinking skills
- customer service skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to become a heating and ventilation engineer
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
College
You can take a college course to learn some of the skills needed to get a trainee engineer job.
Courses include:
- plumbing and heating
- building services engineering
- T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction
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 get into this job by applying to do an apprenticeship. Examples include:
- Building Services Engineering Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
- Building Services Engineering Installer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Building Services Engineering Craftsperson Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Direct application
You may be able to apply directly for jobs if you have qualifications and experience in building services engineering or plumbing.
Foundation apprenticeship
You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.
If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:
- have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- are in care or have been in care
- are in prison or have been in prison
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Career path and progression
With experience, you could:
- supervise a team of engineers
- move into a managerial role
- work in technical sales
With further training, you could become a building services engineer , facilities manager or heat pump engineer .
You could also set up as self-employed and run your own business.
Professional and industry bodies
You can join the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering for professional development training and industry news.
Guides for this industry
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