Civil Engineering Technician
What is the work like?
As a civil engineering technician, you would provide technical support to civil engineers on engineering construction projects. Projects fall into several categories, including:
- structural – bridges, dams, buildings, offshore platforms and pipelines
- transportation – roads, railways, tunnels and airports
- environmental – public water supply networks, irrigation, drainage, waste disposal and sewerage treatment
- maritime – ports, harbours and sea defences.
Your key duties would include:
- assisting with initial site surveys
- arranging for lab analysis of soil, rock and materials samples
- developing engineering design plans, by hand or with computer aided design (CAD) software
- preparing estimates and instructions on the quantity and type of materials required for a job, and labour costs
- drawing up timescales for the delivery of supplies, equipment and labour, with completion dates for each stage
- negotiating with suppliers to get value for money when buying resources
- supervising progress, inspecting projects, reporting problems to site managers and preparing reports for engineers.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You may be able to get into this job through an engineering Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
To be eligible, you may need four GCSEs (A-C), including maths, science or design and technology, or equivalent qualifications.
Alternatively, you could take a college course, which would give you some of the skills needed for this work. Relevant courses include:
- Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment (aimed at 14 to 19 year olds from Sept 08)
- BTEC National Certificate and Diploma in Civil Engineering
- Foundation Degree in Civil Engineering
- BTEC HNC/HND in Civil Engineering.
To search for colleges and universities offering foundation degrees, HNCs/HNDs and degrees see the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You may be able to start as a trainee with a company after completing a more general engineering or construction qualification. The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the the Institution of Structural Engineers have details about relevant qualifications and careers information.
See ConstructionSkills and Women into Science, Engineering and Construction for general information about engineering as a career. The Engineering Training Council (Northern Ireland) also has careers information for that area.
What further training and development can I do?
You could choose from several on-the-job training awards, which would lead to NVQ qualifications. The exact NVQ you choose would depend on your job and what you do, but could include:
- Engineering Technical Support
- Construction Site Supervision
- Construction Plant and Equipment Supervision
- Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities
- Transportation (technical options).
For more details about relevant on-the-job training, contact the ICE.
If you are a qualified and experienced civil engineering technician, you could register with the Engineering Council to gain EngTech status for professional development purposes.
Where can I go for more information?
Interpoint20-24 York Street
Belfast
BT15 1AQ
Tel: 028 9032 9878
Weston House
246 High Holborn
London
WC1B 7EX
Tel: 020 3206 0408
King's Lynn
Norfolk
PE31 6RH
Tel: 01485 577577
London
SW1P 3AA
Tel: 020 7222 7722
London
SW1X 8BH
Tel: 020 7235 4535
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- New entrants start between £17,000 and £19,000 a year.
- Experienced technicians can earn between £20,000 and £26,000 a year.
- Senior technicians may earn up to £33,000 a year.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your hours would be 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You might work shifts, including weekends and nights, when on site. You might also be part of an on-call rota to deal with out-of-hours problems.
You would work in all weather conditions, and sometimes at heights. Safety is very important and you would use personal protective equipment on site.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- ability in maths and science
- good problem-solving skills
- the ability to understand engineering drawings and principles
- computer skills, particularly for CAD work
- good organisational skills and the ability to organise others
- teamworking skills
- good communication, presentation and negotiating skills.
What opportunities are there?
You would find a wide range of opportunities in civil engineering in most parts of the country. Examples include public and private sector building works, power and water networks, and transport and mining projects.
With skills and experience, you could progress to supervisory or site management jobs, or specialise in particular areas of the job, such as construction design or estimating.
If you continue to train on the job, you could eventually qualify as a civil engineer.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in new window)
Engineering Jobs Network
ICErecruit.com
The Engineer Online
Findanengineer.com (list of structural engineering companies)
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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