Education technician

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You can do a college course to improve your chances of finding work. The exact course you do will depend on which subject area you want to work in as a technician.

Courses include:

• A levels in your chosen subject area
• Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science
• Level 3 Diploma in Information Technology
• Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design

You could also do a Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools or a Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools.

Some education technicians have a higher national diploma, foundation degree or degree in their specialist area. You might need this if you want to work in higher education.

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national certificate or higher national diploma

Apprenticeship

You might be able to get into this job through an advanced apprenticeship in a specialist role, like a lab technician or IT solution technician.

If you want to work in a university, you could do a higher education technician advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

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

DirectApplication

You can apply directly for education technician jobs if you've got the right skills and experience.

Employers will expect you to have GCSEs 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels or equivalent qualifications in English, maths and usually at least one science subject.

Required Skills:

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

Skills:

• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• knowledge of English language
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• knowledge of media production and communication
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• analytical thinking skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to read English
• customer service skills
• excellent written communication skills
• the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things
• the ability to teach pupils how to do something
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• thinking and reasoning skills
• concentration skills
• a good memory
• maths skills

What you'll do:

Education technicians support science, art, IT or design and technology teachers by preparing equipment and materials for practical lessons.

In this role you could:

• collect, set up and check equipment for practical lessons
• make sure rooms and resources meet health and safety rules
• support teachers and students during lessons
• put away equipment after lessons
• manage equipment, supplies and budgets
• repair, maintain and modify equipment and teaching aids

Location : You could work at a college, at a school or at a university.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically demanding.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £16,000
Experienced : £32,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

40 - 42 hours term time

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends flexibly

Career Path:

With experience you could become a senior technician, team leader technician, laboratory or studio manager.

You could also work as a teaching assistant or train to be a teacher.