Electronic engineering technicians design, manufacture, repair and maintain components, which rely on low-power electricity, spanning analogue, digital and microelectronics. They work in a wide variety of fields including:

• telecommunications – mobile phones, radio and TV
• datacommunications – PCs, laptops, peripherals, PDAs, ATM machines and electronic point of sale (EPOS) terminals
• domestic appliance repair – cookers, refrigerators, washers
• medical scientific instruments – clinical and laboratory apparatus
• security – CCTV and surveillance equipment
• programmable control systems – manufacturing and industrial machinery
• automated systems – robotics and artificial intelligence.

An electronic engineering technician works as part of a team with engineers, as well as craftsmen/women from different engineering disciplines.

The work can cover:

Design - using computer-aided design (CAD) to plan printed circuit boards and electrical wiring diagrams which are used by assembly workers.

Research and development - designing and building test equipment and prototypes; software development; monitoring and recording results for analysis by senior engineers; calibration and adjustment of electronic and electrical equipment.

Production - planning, design and implementation of new electronic control systems for production processes; computer-aided manufacture (CAM); installation, inspection and testing of cables and components; and quality control.

Maintenance - setting up servicing schedules for industrial and commercial equipment, and diagnosing and rectifying faults.

For details about servicing appliances, see the profile for Domestic Appliance Service Engineer.

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.

Working environments include factories, workshops, offices and research facilities.

Skills and Interests

To be an electronic engineering technician, you need:

• an aptitude for maths, science and technology
• good practical skills
• good communication skills
• good computer skills
• to be able to understand engineering drawings and principles
• to keep up to date with new developments
• to work methodically and precisely
• excellent analytical skills
• to be a good team worker, with a degree of initiative
• normal colour vision
• an awareness of electrical health and safety issues.

Entry

A common route for young people is to train as a technician apprentice in electronics, engineering, telecommunications or information technology. Most apprentices start at 16 to 19, but entry may be possible up to 24 (see Training section for contacts). You will need four GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3), including maths, science, engineering, design and technology or an appropriate equivalent.

Alternative entry qualifications open to all ages include:

• Edexcel (BTEC) First Diploma in Electronics
• BTEC First Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering (options in electronics)
• BTEC First Diploma in Operations and Maintenance Engineering (options in electronics)
• BTEC National Award in Communications Electronic Engineering
• City & Guilds Progression Award in Electrical Electronics Servicing (6958): Consumer, Commercial or Domestic Appliance Electronics at levels 2 and 3.

These are widely available at local colleges and can act as a stepping stone into a trainee position with a company or can be done if already working as a technician. Follow-on qualifications are listed in the Training section below.

For information about electronic engineering as a career, see the Institution of Engineering and Technology, 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

There is a range of work-based NVQ/SVQ qualifications available, depending on your job role. These include:

• Electrical and Electronics Servicing levels 2 and 3
• Electrical and Electronics Engineering Level 3
• Engineering Maintenance and Installation (Electronics) levels 2 and 3
• Process Engineering Maintenance (Instrument and Control) levels 2 and 3
• Performing Engineering Operations levels 1 and 2.

BTEC National Certificates/Diplomas in Electronic Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or Communications Electronic Engineering are offered by colleges throughout the country. These can be undertaken by people already working as technicians and by those wishing to take up a career as an engineering technician.

Technicians may continue to study part-time for a BTEC HNC/HND in Electronic Engineering. Degree courses in electronics are also widely available, often giving the option to combine study in a related field, such as telecommunications, robotics, control systems, computing or medical instruments.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology website has details of UK colleges and universities offering these higher level programmes. See their website in Further Information.

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

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 www.apprenticeships.org.uk

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

Opportunities

Prospects are extremely good for qualified electronics technicians, as industry faces a shortfall in skilled technical engineers. Opportunities for multi-skilled technicians are excellent with the convergence of data and telecommunications technologies.

Opportunities exist across a wide range of industries including:

• telecommunications
• datacommunications and IT
• aerospace
• marine
• power
• chemical
• medical.

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.

There are also opportunities with manufacturers in materials development and design, marketing, selling and customer support.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Electronic appliance repair technicians earn between £13,000 and £18,000.
Electronic design, test and production technicians earn between £18,000 and £25,000 a year.
Senior technicians can earn between £23,000 and £28,000 a year.

Further information

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London
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Tel: 020 7240 1871