Education technicians support staff teaching science, IT and Design and Technology in schools and colleges by preparing equipment and materials and assisting in practical lessons.

Their tasks include:

• delivering, setting up and checking equipment
• supporting teaching staff in practical lessons by taking part in demonstrations and giving technical assistance to students
• putting away equipment after lessons
• organising, storing and stocktaking equipment
• repairing, maintaining and modifying equipment
• administrative tasks.

Specific duties and responsibilities will vary depending on the institution. Technicians may be involved in preparing basic experiments in primary schools or the early years of secondary education or advanced experiments in universities.

They may also take responsibility for health and safety and first aid.

Hours and Environment

You will usually work 9am to 4pm if you are employed full-time. However, technicians often work part-time. You are likely to work in term-time only. 

You will spend most of your time in laboratories, IT rooms and preparation rooms in schools, colleges or universities. 

You could work alone or in a small team. You may have to move equipment between different floors or between sites.

Skills and Interests

As an educational technician, you will need:

• an interest, and ability, in science, IT or Design and Technology
• practical skills
• to be able to use technical equipment
• flexibility and adaptability, as you are likely to be working for a number of people who may be working on different experiments/projects
• good communication skills
• the ability to work in a team, as well as independently.

Entry

There are no set minimum entry qualifications, but most employers will expect you to have at least GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) or equivalent qualifications in English, maths and at least one science subject. It is becoming increasingly common for technicians to have higher qualifications, so you may need A levels/H grades or equivalent qualifications in science or a HNC/HND, foundation or degree in science or technological subjects .

It will be useful if you have experience of using scientific techniques or IT in a technical setting.

You can find details of the skills and knowledge you will need as an ICT technician on the Professional Development section of the BECTA (British Educational Communications and Technology Agency) website. The site has a a self-assessment tool which you can use to analyse the skills you already have and identify your training needs. Please see Further Information for a link to the website.

As you will be working with children and young people you will need to have a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.

You may be able to get into this job through an apprenticeship scheme. Funding for apprenticeships is available for 16-24 year olds and some over-25s. 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.

Training

When you are employed as an educational technician, you may be able to work towards NVQs at levels 1 to 4 in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities. These correspond to the four-level career structure recommended for science technicians by the Association for Science Education (ASE). This identifies four levels of technician:

• assistant technician
• technician
• senior technician
• team leader technician.

Please visit the ASE website for details of this and of ASE training programmes. There is a link to the website in Further Information.

The Institute of Science Technology (IST) has developed a new qualification for technicians, the Certificate in Technical Laboratory Skills. This is available at levels 1 - 3. Level 4 is being developed. You can find details on the IST website - please see Further Information for a link.

As a science technician you can attend courses at any of the centres in the network of Science Learning Centres. There are regional centres across England and one national centre, which is based at the University of York. The National Centre provides residential courses. You can find details, including a searchable database of centres and courses, by visiting the Science Learning Centres website. Please see Further Information for a link to the site.

If you are an ICT technician you can analyse the skills you already have and identify your training needs on the self-assessment tool on the BECTA (British Educational Communications and Technology Agency) website. Please see Further Information for a link to the website.

Opportunities

Technicians are employed by schools, colleges and universities across the country.

Opportunities for promotion are often limited. It is possible to progress to senior technician or laboratory manager, and some technicians train to be teachers.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Full-time technicians earn around £12,000 to £18,000 a year.
Senior technicians can earn over £20,000 a year.

Further information

Brooke House
24 Dam Street
Lichfield
Staffordshire
WS13 6AB
Tel: 01543 266908