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Becoming an Electrical Engineering Technician

Electrical engineering technicians are concerned with the commissioning, installation, maintenance and repair of electrical production and control systems.

The work:

Their work covers a wide range of industries including:

  • power generation and transmission - dealing with turbines, transformers, switchgear and cabled/overhead line/street lighting distribution networks
  • industrial/commercial machinery and equipment - building, installing and repairing drives, motors and programmable logic control (PLC) panels
  • transport - rail electrification and signalling systems
  • building services infrastructure - installing and maintaining lighting, heating, air conditioning, lifts and escalators.

Electrical technicians work from wiring diagrams and use a range of equipment to calibrate, inspect and test installations and machinery to ensure they are working correctly and safely. They are often responsible for drawing up preventative maintenance schedules and quality control programmes for equipment, for instance, on a manufacturing production line.

Electrical technicians work as part of a team, with responsibility for supervision of operators and craftsmen/women but under the guidance of senior engineers. For more information on the engineer role see Engineer: Electrical profile.

Hours and environment:

Technicians normally work a 40-hour week, but shiftwork, on-call duties and overtime may be required, depending on the role and project deadlines. Some technicians work permanently on a seven-day week shift basis.

The work can take place in almost any environment, either indoors or outdoors. Work could be in offices, factories, workshops, power stations or research facilities.

Skills and interests:

As an electrical engineering technician you should:

  • have an aptitude for maths, science and technology
  • have excellent analytical skills
  • have good numeracy and IT skills
  • have good practical skills
  • have good communication skills
  • be able to understand engineering drawings and principles
  • be prepared to keep up-to-date with new developments
  • be able to work as part of a team
  • have normal colour vision
  • be aware of electrical health and safety issues

Entry:

A common route for young people is to train as a technician apprentice in electrics or engineering. Most apprentices start at 16 to 19, but entry may be possible up to 24. You will need four GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3), such as maths, english, science, engineering, design and technology or appropriate equivalents.

For details of qualification equivalents see:

  • Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (England, Wales and Northern Ireland
  • Scottish Qualifications Authority

If you are aged between 16 and 24, you can contact the Engineering Careers Information Service (ECIS).

Alternative entry qualifications open to all ages include:

  • BTEC First Diploma in Operations and Maintenance
  • BTEC National Certificates and Diplomas in Electrical Engineering
  • City & Guilds Progression Award in Electrical Electronics Servicing (6958) at levels 2 and 3
  • City & Guilds Certificate in Electrotechnical Technology (2330) at levels 2 and 3.

These courses are offered by colleges throughout the country. They can be undertaken by people already working as technicians and by those wishing to take up a career as an engineering technician.

For information about electrical engineering as a career, see SEMTA and Women into Science and Engineering websites. In addition, the Engineering Training Council (Northern Ireland) has careers information and a course database for local colleges. See their website for further information.

Training:

For those working as electronics technicians, there is a range of NVQ/SVQ qualifications available, depending on the job role:

  • Performing Engineering Operations NVQ/SQV at levels 1 and 2
  • Electrical and Electronics Servicing NVQ/SVQ at levels 2 and 3
  • Engineering Maintenance and Installation (Electrical) NVQ/SQV at levels 2 and 3 (includes lifts and stairlifts)
  • Process Engineering Maintenance (Electrical) NVQ at levels 2 and 3
  • Installing and Commissioning Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (Plant) NVQ/SVQ Level 3
  • Electricity System Technology Engineering NVQ/SVQ at levels 2 and 3 (covers power generation, distribution systems and decommissioning).

There is also a City & Guilds NVQ/SVQ in Electrotechnical Services (2356) levels 2 and 3 which has several pathways: installation, maintenance, instrumentation, public lighting, panel building and electrical machine repair and rewind.

Technicians may also be required to undertake City & Guilds Inspection, Testing and Certification of Installations (2391) and City & Guilds 16th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations (2380).

Check with local colleges and training providers to see which of these routes is the most appropriate to your job role.

Technicians may continue to study part-time for an Edexcel (BTEC) Higher National Certificate/Diploma in Electrical Engineering. Degree courses in electrical engineering are also widely available.

For professional development, suitably qualified/experienced electrical technicians could consider registering with the Engineering Council to attain EngTech status. For more details, see the EngTech website.

Apprenticeships may be available for those under the age of 24. In England these are currently Apprenticeships (level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeships (level 3). To find out more about these visit the learning and skills council webpages.

Apprenticeships may be different in other areas. For further information see Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Opportunities:

Prospects are extremely good for qualified electrical technicians. There are opportunities across a wide range of industries including aerospace, marine, agricultural, chemical, civil, manufacturing and power.

Employers include local and central government departments, the armed services, manufacturers in all industries, research and development companies, IT companies, and public utilities such as water, gas, and electricity.

Annual income:

Figures are intended as a guideline only:

  • New technicians start between £13,000 and £18,000 a year, depending on their role.
  • Experienced electrical technicians earn between £18,500 and £23,500.
  • Senior technicians can earn between £25,000 and £31,000.