Building technician

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship

University

You could take a foundation degree or higher national diploma in:

• construction
• the built environment
• surveying
• civil engineering

Courses that give you the opportunity to gain work experience through internships, placements or a year in industry may give you an advantage.

Entry requirements:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

College

You can do a college course, which may help you to get a job as a trainee technician.

Courses include:

• Level 3 Diploma in Civil Engineering
• Level 3 Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment
• T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

Apprenticeship

The following apprenticeships may be relevant to this role:

• surveying technician advanced apprenticeship
• construction support technician advanced apprenticeship
• building services engineering technician higher apprenticeship
• construction design and build technician higher apprenticeship
• construction site engineering technician higher apprenticeship

The exact apprenticeship you take will depend on the type of company, your job role and duties.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Skills:

• knowledge of building and construction
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• thinking and reasoning skills
• analytical thinking skills
• maths knowledge
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• knowledge of public safety and security
• the ability to use your initiative
• knowledge of English language
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to read English
• customer service skills
• active listening skills
• persistence and determination
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to analyse quality or performance
• excellent written communication skills
• concentration skills

What you'll do:

Building technicians support engineers, surveyors and architects on construction projects.

You could:

• estimate construction costs to support bids for new work projects
• negotiate materials, equipment and labour costs with suppliers
• check supplier quality
• help to plan the methods used in each construction stage
• draft construction plans and blueprints using CAD software
• monitor build progress against completion dates
• give update reports at progress meetings
• prepare construction sites before work begins
• supervise teams of contractors

Location : You could work on a construction site or in an office.
Environment : Your working environment may be at height and outdoors in all weathers.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £19,000
Experienced : £35,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is between 8am and 6pm

Career Path:

With experience you could move into construction project management or specialise in estimating, CAD drafting or buying.

You could find work with:

• national and international building firms and contractors
• central and local government
• organisations that do their own construction work, like utility companies, major retailers and the NHS