Electrical Engineering Technician
Introduction
Electrical Engineering Technicians support electronics engineers in the
research, design, development, maintenance or repair of electronic products,
such as televisions, mobile phones and computers, etc.
Electrical Engineering Technicians work in the generation and supply of
electricity, as well as on related equipment, including generators and turbines
.
Also known as
Engineering Technician, Electronics/Electrical
Work Activities
Electrical Engineering Technicians support the work of electronics engineers in a wide range of areas, including
research and development, design and technical drawing (draughtswork), maintenance, and quality assurance
(testing products to make sure they are safe and of high quality).
In manufacturing, Electrical Engineering Technicians work on a range of products, from telephones, radios and
televisions to aircraft and satellites.
They help to research new products or work on ways to improve existing ones. For example, they may test the
electronic performance and reliability of televisions before they go into full production.
They may also test printed circuit boards (PCBs) to make sure they respond correctly to the user's instructions,
checking that all connections and joints are made properly and that there are no short circuits.
They also maintain and repair the assembly lines that carry equipment through the production cycle.
If there is a fault, some Electrical Engineering Technicians can plug laptop computers into Programme Logic
Controller (PLC) systems, which control production equipment and machinery. The laptop displays what the fault is,
so they can carry out a repair or re-program the faulty equipment.
Electrical Engineering Technicians also help to develop and maintain the equipment used to control and manage
processes, systems and machinery in many different areas.
All large processing plants, North Sea oil installations, energy generating and manufacturing industries have
sophisticated systems, for example, to control temperature and pressure, or to manage waste.
Electrical Engineering Technicians help to design and produce equipment such as electrical generators and turbines.
They make sure that all the equipment is safe and runs efficiently. They carry out repairs to any faulty equipment,
perhaps supervised by an electrical engineer.
In distribution companies, Electrical Engineering Technicians work on transformers and transmission systems. They
also install electrical industrial machinery, including heating, ventilating and lighting systems.
Electrical Engineering Technicians may supervise teams made up of craftspeople and other technicians.
Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales.
Personal Qualities and Skills
As an Electrical Engineering Technician, you need:
Strong technical and computer skills.
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Practical skills.
Excellent problem-solving skills.
A willingness to keep up to date with advances in technology.
A logical, accurate and methodical approach to your work.
The ability to stay calm under pressure.
An understanding of electrical health and safety regulations.
Strong communication skills.
To work well with other technicians and engineers.
The ability to read and interpret technical drawings and plans, and to explain them to others.
Your colour vision may be tested, as you will be working with colour-coded parts and wires.
Pay and Opportunities
Pay
Salaries for Electrical Engineering Technicians vary depending on the company, role and level of responsibility.
The pay rates given below are approximate.
Electrical Engineering Technicians earn in the range of £21,500 - £25,000 a year, rising to £29,500 - £35,000, with
experience.
Hours of work
Most Electrical Engineering Technicians work around 35-40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Early starts, late finishes,
and some weekend work may be required. Some technicians may be required to work shifts.
Future skills needs
The main skills gaps for the automotive industry are:
Computer-Aided Design (CAD).
CNC machine operation.
Assembly line/production robotics.
Electronics.
Electrical engineering.
Where could I work?
Employers are firms in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, electricity generation and distribution,
communications, transportation, chemical, water, and marine and offshore industries.
There are also opportunities within the public sector, the armed forces and computer manufacturers.
Opportunities for Electrical Engineering Technicians occur throughout the UK.
The highest number of people employed in the electronics industry are based in the South East, East of England,
Scotland and the South West.
Where are vacancies advertised?
Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, trade industry publications, at Jobcentre Plus and on the
Universal Jobmatch website.
Vacancies can also be found through specialist engineering recruitment agencies, internet job boards and the
websites of professional engineering bodies and large manufacturing/electrical organisations.
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Entry Routes and Training
Entry routes
An Intermediate or Advanced Level Apprenticeship is a great place to start.
You may also be able to enter employment as a trainee, receiving day- or block-release to go to college part-time.
Another entry route is to take a full-time college course, leading to a relevant A level or Edexcel (BTEC) National
qualification (eg, Engineering) before looking for employment.
Relevant courses include:
Edexcel (BTEC) National Certificate or Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering.
City & Guilds Progression Award in Electrical and Electronics Servicing at levels 2 and 3.
City & Guilds level 2 Certificate and level 3 Diploma in Electrotechnical Technology.
Training
You may be able to work towards a relevant work-based qualification.
Professional registration - known as EngTech - is available for those who have joined a professional engineering
institution licensed by the Engineering Council.
You also need to complete a relevant Advanced Apprenticeship; or hold a qualification such as the Edexcel (BTEC)
Level 3 Certificate or Diploma in Engineering or Construction and the Built Environment, alongside relevant
experience.
You can apply if you don't have a qualification, but you need to have substantial work experience.
Full details on how to register as an EngTech are available in the Engineering Council's UK-SPEC document, which can
be viewed on their website.
Progression
With further education and training, engineering technicians can go on to register at Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and
Chartered Engineer (CEng) level.
Qualifications
To get onto an Intermediate or Advanced Level Apprenticeship, you’l l usually need five GCSEs at grade C or above,
possibly including English and Maths.
Adult Opportunities
Age limits
It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show
there is a real need to have these limits.
Courses
Most colleges will consider applications from older candidates who don't have the usual entry requirements. You
should check the admissions policy of individual colleges.
London South Bank University offers an HNC and HND in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, via part-time evening
study.
Distance learning
London College UCK offers an HNC and HND in Electronic/Electrical Engineering, via distance learning.
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Training
Information on pathways to registration as an Engineering Technician (EngTech) can be found on the Engineering
Council's website.
Statistics
2% of people in occupations such as electronics/electrical engineering technician work part-time.
16% have flexible hours.
Further Information
Professional institutionsProfessional institutions have the following roles:
To support their members.
To protect the public by keeping standards high in their professions.
For more information on the institution(s) relevant to this career, check out the contacts below.
Contacts
Apprenticeships: Get In. Go Far
National Apprenticeship Service (NAS)
Website: www.apprenticeships.org.uk
Skills Development Scotland - Modern Apprenticeships
Tel: 0800 9178000
Email: info@skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk
Website: www.myworldofwork.co.uk/modernapprenticeships
Semta
Skills for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies
Address: 14 Upton Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD18 0JT
Tel: 0845 6439001
Email: customerservices@semta.org.uk
Website: www.semta.org.uk
The Engineer
Engineering technology news
Website: www.theengineer.co.uk
Tomorrow's Engineers
Publisher: EngineeringUK and Royal Academy of Engineering
Email: contactus@tomorrowsengineers.org.uk
Website: www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk
City & Guilds
Address: 1 Giltspur Street, London EC1A 9DD
Tel: 020 7294 2468
Website: www.cityandguilds.com
Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB)
Address: Blue Court, Church Lane, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire WD4 8JP
Tel: 01923 260000
Email: ecitb@ecitb.org.uk
Website: careers.ecitb.org.uk
Engineer Jobs
Publisher: Venture Marketing Group
Website: www.engineerjobs.co.uk
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Scottish Engineering
Scottish enquiries
Address: 105 West George Street, Glasgow G2 1QL
Tel: 0141 2213181
Email: consult@scottishengineering.org.uk
Website: www.scottishengineering.org.uk
Engineering Council
Address: 246 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EX
Tel: 020 3206 0500
Website: www.engc.org.uk
Engineering Training Council Northern Ireland (ETC NI)
Northern Ireland Enquiries
Address: Sketrick House, Ards Business Park, Jubilee Road, Newtownards BT23 4YH
Tel: 028 9182 2377
Email: info@etcni.org.uk
Website: www.etcni.org.uk
Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Address: Michael Faraday House, Six Hills Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2AY
Tel: 01438 313311
Email: postmaster@theiet.org
Website: www.theiet.org
Careers Wales - Welsh Apprenticeships
Tel: 0800 028 4844
Website: ams.careerswales.com/
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