Building services engineers design, install and maintain the essential services and equipment in domestic and commercial premises. These include:

• water, gas and electricity supplies
• lighting and heating
• air-conditioning and refrigeration
• telecommunications
• security and safety systems
• lifts and escalators.

Engineers work closely with clients, architects, engineering technicians and builders to integrate systems at the earliest stages of a building's construction. They use compter-aided design software to draw up design plans and to solve any engineering problems that occur during installation.

Engineers' duties also include:

• coordinating the work of engineering technicians and craftspeople on site
• testing installations, analysing data and making modifications
• making sure projects meet Building Regulations, and health and safety requirements
• attending meetings and presenting ideas and progress reports to managers and clients
• overseeing inspection and maintenance programmes
• liaising with building manufacturers to keep up to date with new product developments.

Some building service engineers specialise in certain services, such as mechanical or safety systems; others concentrate on:

• estimating
• design
• buying
• project management.

The energy efficiency and environmental impact of buildings is an increasingly important area, and engineers must make sure that new-build projects and modifications to existing sites meet strict national and international guidelines and legislation.

Hours and Environment

Building services engineers work 35 to 40 hours a week. Extra hours may be required to meet deadlines. Some engineers have on-call duties.

Engineers split their time between office work and site visits. A driving licence will be useful.

Skills and Interests

To be a building services engineer you should:

• have excellent engineering, IT and design skills
• be able to analyse complex problems and critically evaluate solutions
• be able to visualise and explain theoretical designs
• have strong decision-making skills
• have excellent communication skills
• be able to categorise, prioritise and plan effectively
• be able to manage others
• be able to work within budgetary constraints
• have excellent interpersonal and teamworking skills
• have a comprehensive understanding of Building Regulations and other relevant legislation.

Entry

Technician level
One way to qualify as an engineer is to train as an apprentice engineering technician. Most apprentices start at 16 to 19, but entry may be possible later (see below for contacts). You will need four GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3), such as:

• maths
• English
• science
• engineering
• design and technology.

You may be able to enter through an apprenticeship scheme. Funding for apprenticeships may be available to people in certain priority groups. To find out more, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk. For information about apprenticeships in other parts of the UK, see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland.

You can also study other entry-level qualifications, which are open to all age groups. These include the Edexcel (BTEC) National Certificates/Diplomas:

• Building Services Engineering
• Operations and Maintenance Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering.

These are available at local colleges. Please check with them for details. Further study for the qualifications outlined below can lead to engineer status.

Engineer level
You normally need a foundation degree, Edexcel (BTEC) HNC/HND, degree or postgraduate award in building services engineering or a related engineering discipline to work as an engineer. 

You can find details about this career, and information on qualifications and training providers on the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers' (CIBSE) website in Further Information.

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

Training

On-the-job training is available and graduate apprenticeship schemes are offered by companies if you hold a first degree.

You can also complete work-based qualifications like the NVQ in Building Services Engineering Technology and Project Management at levels 3 and 4. This has units covering:

• site management
• mechanical and electrotechnical services
• contract managment
• preparing tenders
• cost control
• project planning and design. 

CIBSE offers information on various membership grades and Continuing Professional Development options for engineers. See the CIBSE website in Further Information.

Gaining professional status is a highly recommended way of enhancing career prospects. You can do this by registering with a relevant professional engineering institution and applying to the Engineering Council for incorporated or chartered engineer status. For more details, see the Engineering Council website in Further Information.

As part of the process, you are assessed against UK-SPEC* (UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence), developed by professional bodies, employers and the Engineering Council. For more information about UK-SPEC, see the website in Further Information.

* Replaced SARTOR (Standards And Routes TO Registration) on 1st March 2004.

Opportunities

Opportunities are very good at technician and engineer level.

A wide range of organisations employ building services engineers, including:

• design consultancy firms
• major building contractors
• building services contractors
• equipment manufacturers.

Other employers include local authorities, educational institutions and NHS trusts that have in-house building services engineering teams.

Promotion usually involves taking on positions with increased management responsibility, for example, senior project manager or facilities manager. Some engineers become self-employed and work on a consultancy basis. 

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Starting salaries for engineers are between £19,500 and £23,000.
Experienced engineers earn between £24,000 and £35,000.
Senior engineers can earn up to £45,000.

Further information

Interpoint
20-24 York Street
Belfast
BT15 1AQ
Tel: 028 9032 9878 6th Floor
10 Maltravers Street
London
WC2R 3ER
Tel: 020 7557 6426 14 Upton Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0JT
Tel: 0800 282 167 222 Balham High Road
Balham
London
SW12 9BS
Tel: 020 8675 5211