Heating and ventilation engineer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You can take a college course to learn some of the skills needed to get a trainee engineer job.

Courses include:

• plumbing and heating
• building services engineering
• T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction

Entry requirements:

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

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job by applying to do an apprenticeship. Examples include:

• Building Services Engineering Installer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Building Services Engineering Craftsperson Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships can take 2 to 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements:

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

DirectApplication

You may be able to apply directly for jobs if you have qualifications and experience in building services engineering or plumbing.

Required Skills:

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

Skills:

• practical skills for installing equipment
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• problem-solving skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of building and construction
• analytical thinking skills
• customer service skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with others
• persistence and determination
• the ability to repair machines or systems
• knowledge of physics
• knowledge of maths
• practical skills for repairing and maintaining equipment
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to analyse quality or performance
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace

What you'll do:

Heating and ventilation engineers install and service heating and air conditioning systems in buildings like offices, schools and hospitals.

As a heating and ventilation engineer, you'll:

• follow design blueprints to fit heating equipment and pipework
• install ductwork and ventilation systems
• design and install control panels that adjust heating systems
• find and fix faults
• plan and carry out regular maintenance and repairs

Possible green job

This job could help the environment.

For a heating and ventilation engineer to be a green job, you could:

• use natural airflow in buildings to reduce reliance on mechanical ventilation systems
• install heating systems powered by renewable energy sources
• fit automated wireless controls that regulate temperature and humidity more efficiently

Find out more about green careers

Location : You could work at a client's business.
Environment : Your working environment may be at height, cramped and you'll travel often.

Salary:

Starter : £20,000
Experienced : £40,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

41 - 43 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends as customers demand

Career Path:

With experience, you could:

• supervise a team of engineers
• move into a managerial role
• work in technical sales

With further training, you could become a building services engineer , facilities manager or heat pump engineer .

You could also set up as self-employed and run your own business.