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- Install, repair and maintain electrical equipment in a range of industries
- Develop practical and technical skills combining maths, science and IT
- Opportunities to progress to qualify as an engineer with additional training
As an Electrical engineering technician you might work in a range of industries like Power generation and transmission: installing turbines, switchgear, power lines and street lighting networks, Industrial machinery and equipment: making, fitting and repairing drives, motors and programmable logic control (PLC) panels, Transport: upgrading rail and signalling systems and Building services infrastructure: installing and maintaining lighting, heating, air conditioning, lifts and escalators.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
Work in a range of industries like:
- Power generation and transmission (install turbines, switchgear, power lines and street lighting networks)
- Industrial machinery and equipment, (make, fit and repair drives, motors and programmable logic control panels)
- Transport (upgrading rail and signalling systems)
- Building services infrastructure (installing and maintaining lighting, heating, air conditioning, lifts and escalators)
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You could work in an office, factory, workshop, power station or research facility. You'll usually need a driving licence and you might be on-call.
You'll need
This role would be ideal for someone with ability in maths, science and IT, excellent problem-solving skills, excellent practical skills, and the ability to read engineering drawings and circuit diagrams.
You can take a college course, which would teach you some of the skills needed for the job and may help you to find a trainee position with a company. Relevant courses include Level 2 Certificate In Electrical Installation Studies, Level 2 Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology and Level 3 Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
Alternatively, you could become a technician after completing an electrical engineering technician advanced apprenticeship.
You could also do a foundation degree or higher national diploma in electrical and electronic engineering.
You'll need colour normal vision for this role.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could move into supervisory jobs, electrical design work or take further training to qualify as an engineer. You could become a self-employed electrical sub-contractor.