Engineering construction technicians, design, build and maintain buildings, processing plant and machinery in a wide range of industries. These include:

• oil, gas and petrochemical
• power and water
• food and drink
• pharmaceuticals
• transport
• construction.

Their duties vary according to the industry with some of the main ones outlined below.

Planning and design
Technicians draw up engineering diagrams, detailing dimensions, layout and structure of projects, using computer-aided design (CAD) software and traditional draughting techniques.

Fabrication and assembly
They cut and weld sheet metal and metal plate for pipework and ductwork, working from design blueprints. They also erect and fasten the steel columns and beams that make up a building's framework during construction.

Fitting and maintenance
Technicians install and service mechanical and electrotechnical production equipment in factories and industrial units, such as conveyor lines, instrumentation control panels, valves and flowmeters. They also carry out risk assessment tasks.

Inspection and testing
Technicians monitor and diagnose faults in plant and equipment in the workplace, and test materials in a laboratory to find flaws and defects (non-destructive testing), which could potentially lead to component failure. See the profile for Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Technician.

Technicians work with engineers and often have supervisory responsibilities, overseeing a team of craftspeople, scheduling work and dealing with some administrative records. They may also be involved in related areas such as estimating, buying and quality control.

Hours and Environment

Engineering construction technicians work a basic 38-hour week, but this is flexible depending on the type of work and deadlines. Overtime may be available.

As a technician, you can be office-based or on-site in all weathers. You travel between sites and some contracts may involve working away from home for many weeks at a time, in the UK, offshore or abroad.

Non-destructive testing technicians spend much of their time in a laboratory.

Skills and Interests

As an engineering construction technician, you need:

• an aptitude for maths, science and IT
• a working knowledge of CAD software and good freehand design skills
• the ability to read technical plans
• an understanding of construction methods
• the ability to organise and prioritise workloads
• good communications skills
• good analytical skills
• an awareness of health and safety issues.

Entry

If you are aged between 17 and 24, you may be eligible for the National Apprenticeship Scheme for Engineering Construction (NASEC). You will need four GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3), including maths, English, science, engineering, design and technology or appropriate equivalents. If you plan to train as an offshore technician apprentice, you must be aged between 16½ and 21.

For details about apprenticeships, contact NASEC Administration in Further Information.

If you are not eligible for the NASEC scheme, there are alternative qualifications, which you may be able to use to get into this career. These include:

• BTEC Certificate/Diploma in Operations and Maintenance Engineering (contains options in mechanical, electrical, electronic and manufacturing engineering)
• BTEC Certificate/Diploma in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering 
• City & Guilds Progression Award in Applying Engineering Principles (6983) levels 1 and 2, and the Certificate in Engineering (2800) Level 3.

You can also consider a foundation degree or BTEC HNC/HND in Engineering. There are several options available within these awards, which cover manufacturing, operations, electrical, electronic and mechanical aspects of the role. Colleges offer these qualifications and you contact them for more details about their requirements.

If you want to specialise in engineering construction design, you can take the City & Guilds Certificate in 2D/3D Computer Aided Design (4353). There is more information on the profile for CAD draughtsman/draughtswoman.

See the website for the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) in Further for more information about engineering construction as a career.

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

Training

Once working as an engineering construction technician, you continue training towards an NVQ/SVQ at Level 3. You take the award most appropriate to your job role. These include:

• Maintaining Plant and Systems (Mechanical, Instrument Pipefitting or Instruments and Control)
• Installing and Commissioning Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (Plant)
• Constructing Capital Plant Steel Structures (Erecting)
• Installing Plant and Systems (Mechanical, Pipefitting or Instrument Pipefitting)
• Welding (Plate or Pipework)
• Non-Destructive Testing
• Design and Drafting.

The Level 3 award includes the Client/Contractor National Safety Group (CCNSG) Safety Passport. The passport covers 10 units including health and safety law, fire precautions, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) principles and first aid.

You can also take the Safety Passport as a stand-alone course. Contact the ECITB for a list of CCNSG training providers and information about the NVQ/SVQ qualifications.

If you specialise in welding, you can build on your skills by following training courses in welding techniques through the Welding Institute (TWI). Contact TWI in Further Information and see the profile for Welder.

If you have suitable qualifications and experience as an engineering construction technician, you can register with the Engineering Council to obtain EngTech status.

Opportunities

The UK engineering construction industry is the largest in the EU and prospects for qualified technicians are good in the UK and overseas.

As an experienced engineering construction technician, you can progress into site management positions or specialise in particular aspects of the job, for example engineering design, testing or procurement.

If you take further academic training up to degree level, you may be able to fully qualify as an engineer.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

New entrants start at between £14,500 and £17,000 a year.
Experienced technicians can earn between £18,000 and £26,000 a year.
Senior technicians may earn up to £33,000 a year.

Further information

6th Floor
10 Maltravers Street
London
WC2R 3ER
Tel: 020 7557 6426 Granta Park
Great Abington
Cambridge
CB1 6AL
Tel: 01223 891162 Blue Court
Church Lane
Kings Langley
Hertfordshire
WD4 8JP
Tel: 01923 260000
NASEC Administration Team: 01923 402155 Interpoint
20-24 York Street
Belfast
BT15 1AQ
Tel: 028 9032 9878 14 Upton Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0JT
Tel: 0800 282 167