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How a Nuclear Technician makes a difference

The main role of the nuclear industry is producing electricity. The heat that’s produced during nuclear fission is used to heat water and the steam that results is used to spin large turbines that generate electricity. However, nuclear processes and reactors are used in several other industries as well.

Reactive material is used in consumer products such as fire detectors, watches and clocks. Gamma rays are used to kill bacteria on food. Radioactive tracers are used in medical diagnosis machines that help to save lives. You could be the technician who delivers essential electricity or supports other innovative uses of nuclear.

The type of work a Nuclear Technician will do

  • Operating systems and equipment safely
  • Solving technical problems
  • Preparation of technical reports to assist decision-making
  • Carrying out routine tasks following strict procedures
  • Mathematical tasks and preparing data for analysis
  • Recording and drawing conclusions from data
  • Supporting other engineers and technicians so they can function effectively
Useful skills
Critical thinking
Useful skills
Problem solving
Useful skills
Logical thinking
Useful skills
Communicating complex ideas
Useful skills
Attention to detail
Useful skills
Precise
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Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Nuclear Technician

You could become a team leader in a specialist area of the nuclear industry, supporting innovative applications of nuclear processes and reactors.

Alternatively, your skills could lead you to a risk management or health and safety role, or you could help to promote the work of the industry and why it is needed.

How to become a Nuclear Technician

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Options available after GCSEs:

More options available after that:

  • An apprenticeship as a Nuclear Technician.

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

Nuclear facilities are managed with stringent procedures to make sure the people working in them and living in the surrounding environment are safe. You’ll be involved in making sure procedures are followed. You'll also help inform the general public on the benefits of nuclear power and how systems are managed safely.

How a Testing Engineering Technician makes a difference

Spotting the signs of a fault, whether that’s in materials, components, welding or equipment, helps to reduce operational costs and delays. That’s because it’s better to deal with a fault before a major breakdown occurs, or too many substandard goods have been made.

Testing engineering technicians are responsible for carrying out inspections and making sure different components and materials are fit for service. They use a variety of methods including ultrasonics, radiography and infrared thermography, which detect cracks and other imperfections. You could be the technician who spots a critical fault and not only saves time and money, but also protects lives.

A technician in a clean suit using tools to test a machine.

The kind of work a Testing Engineering Technician does

  • Carrying out detailed inspections using specialist equipment
  • Deciding whether to repair or replace components
  • Solving routine daily problems
  • Overseeing the operation and performance of robots
  • Following the instructions in technical literature
  • Understanding surrounding issues that could contribute to a fault
  • Keeping records of activity
  • Managing project progress and team contributions
Useful skills
Precise
Useful skills
Technologically minded
Useful skills
Logical thinking
Useful skills
Instructing others
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Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Testing Engineering Technician

After gaining several years of experience you could progress to the role of team leader or supervisor. You could be responsible for maintaining high standards of inspections across a range of materials and components.

If you specialise in an industry, you could become the expert that high-profile manufacturers want to hire to advise them during their research and development programmes, as well as during their manufacturing processes.

How to become a Testing Engineering Technician

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Options available after GCSEs:

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

Real-life examples of this role include the inspection of batteries, engines, Formula 1 gearboxes, nuclear reactors, and other safety-critical components. You could work in a wide range of industries from aerospace to power generation, marine to railways, oil and gas to construction.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

Testing Engineer
Test Technician

How a Metrology Technician makes a difference

Metrology is the science of measurement. It covers the theoretical side and practical applications, including collecting the measurements that enable goods and utilities to be sold. 

£600 billion worth of goods and utilities are sold in the UK every year, based on the measurement of their quantity and quality. You could be the technician who helps people understand the value of what’s being sold.

The type of work a Metrology Technician will do

  • Using measuring instruments and equipment
  • Calibrating machines and tools
  • Assessing quality and value based on measurements
  • Working independently on measurement projects
  • Collaborating with teams on new items to be measured
  • Using software to collect and analyse measurement data
Useful skills
Attention to detail
Useful skills
Instructing others
Useful skills
Logical thinking
Useful skills
Communicating complex ideas
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Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Metrology Technician

You can use your skills to work in many different industries, from environment, energy and aerospace to transport, construction and healthcare. 

With experience, you can move into a team management role, specialise in a particular area of measurement, or work in science and research.

How to become a Metrology Technician

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Options available after GCSEs:

  • A T-level in Science.
  • An apprenticeship as a Metrology Technician.

More options available after that:

  • An apprenticeship as a Senior Metrology Technician.

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

Metrology takes place across diverse industries including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, construction, energy, environment, pharmaceuticals and healthcare and within all sizes of organisation. You could be measuring galaxies, molecules, chemical pollutants, hip joints, aircraft or industrial emissions.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

Measurement Scientist

How a Mechanical Engineering Technician makes a difference

There are many industries, including the aerospace, aviation, automotive, maritime and defence sectors, that use highly complex machinery to make and manoeuvre their products. The leisure industry uses machinery such as Ferris wheels and rollercoasters to provide entertainment.

All these machines need to be built and maintained, which involves assembling multiple devices and components and checking that all the mechanical systems are in reliable and safe working order. You could be the technician who puts all the machine parts together to help various industries perform at their best.

The type of work a Mechanical Engineering Technician will do

  • Following the instructions in design, safety and quality control documentation
  • Completing regular checks on machines and equipment
  • Responding to engineering problems
  • Diagnosing issues and fixing faults
  • Stripping machines back to their parts to clean and maintain them
  • Recording information about machine performance and maintenance
  • Looking after tools and equipment
Useful skills
Attention to detail
Useful skills
Logical thinking
Useful skills
Technologically minded
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Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Mechanical Engineering Technician

As your training and career develop, you could decide to specialise in a specific area of mechanical engineering, for example fitting and turning, pipefitting, or maintenance fitting.

You can also progress to becoming a senior fitter with responsibility for higher level challenges, as well as supporting and training other team members. Another option is becoming a consultant and getting involved in the design of machines.

How to become a Mechanical Engineering Technician

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Options available after GCSEs:

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

You will work with detailed drawings that contain intricate measurements and specifications you need to follow. To put parts together you’ll use a range of tools and techniques including thermal healing, welding, cutting equipment and drilling machines. When machines break down, you’ll be the problem solver people call on to make sure they are quickly working again.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

Engineering Technician
Aerospace Technician
Aviation Engineer
Maritime Engineer
Machinist
Mechatronics Engineer
Mechanical Fitter
Toolmaker

How a Marine Engineering Technician makes a difference

Just like vehicles on the road, boats at sea need to be properly maintained to make sure they are in a good condition and safe to sail. This includes all kinds of boats, from yachts to passenger ferries, cargo ships to superyachts.

Their engines and other technical equipment need to be thoroughly checked and any issues repaired. You could be the technician who makes sure boats are seaworthy and goods and people are transported safely.

The type of work a Marine Engineering Technician will do

  • Understanding technical drawings and engineering data
  • Selecting, storing, and looking after tools and materials
  • Taking precise measurements
  • Cutting, drilling, and finishing components
  • Carrying out planned maintenance
  • Assembling and refining engineering systems
  • Completing service documentation
Useful skills
Decisive
Useful skills
Precise
Useful skills
Technologically minded
Useful skills
Problem solving
Useful skills
Instructing others
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Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Marine Engineering Technician

You could work for a commercial shipping company, helping to maintain a big fleet of ships. Alternatively you could choose to work on smaller boats in a specialist repairs and maintenance business.

If you get involved in engineering on superyachts, you could find yourself travelling all over the world.

How to become a Marine Engineering Technician

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Options available after GCSEs:

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

Some engines are incredibly large and need cranes to lift them out to be worked on. You’ll help to strip the engines, repair and rebuild them using specialist measuring equipment, machines, and tools. You’ll also be involved in sea trials, when new and repaired boats are tested.

How an Electrician makes a difference

Homes, transport systems, leisure facilities, manufacturing, and offices all rely on electricity to keep them operating. The electrical systems that supply them are complex and continuously changing, as innovations help to make them more energy efficient.

While new housing developments and business premises need electrical systems to be installed, older buildings need system upgrades and regular maintenance. In both situations strict safety regulations need to be followed. You could be the technician who powers up environments of all kinds and makes sure they work safely without a glitch.

The type of work an Electrician will do

  • Installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems
  • Understanding and following manufacturers’ instructions
  • Checking and maintaining electrical safety
  • Listening to customers’ requirements and electrical fault issues
  • Deciding on materials and parts required for repairs
  • Loading vehicles with supplies of materials
  • Making sure tools and equipment are in good working order
  • Helping to design electrical systems
Useful skills
Attention to detail
Useful skills
Problem solving
Useful skills
Instructing others
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£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
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Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for an Electrician

You might begin your career with a small company but progress to working for a large electrical contractor or construction business that serves a region or the whole of the UK.

After gaining experience, you will probably specialise in a particular area, which could be heating, lighting or air conditioning in commercial or domestic environments.

Alternatively, you could focus on electrical compliance, which means completing checks to ensure electrical systems meet regulatory standards. Another option is setting up your own business, working independently or employing other electricians.

How to become an Electrician

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Options available after GCSEs:

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

The range of environments you can work in as an electrician is vast – you could become an expert in wiring up department stores, office blocks, hospitals, factories, or even yachts. Every environment is slightly different, with different operational needs that need to be met. Your working day can also be very varied, as you move between fixing everything from air conditioning to security systems, lighting to heating.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

Installation Electrician
Maintenance Electrician

How a Healthcare Engineering Technician makes a difference

Hospitals, GP practices, dentists, and ambulances all use a wide range of medical devices to help them care for patients. These devices need to be checked and maintained regularly to make sure they work properly and patient safety isn’t put at risk.

As well as medical devices, there are heating, ventilation and electricity systems serving medical buildings that need to be maintained. You could be the technician who services and repairs the equipment and environments that healthcare practitioners and patients rely on for effective medical care.

The type of work a Healthcare Engineering Technician will do

  • Testing and maintaining devices and equipment
  • Carrying out repairs
  • Installing new equipment
  • Safety tests and checks
  • Briefing medical staff on devices and equipment
  • Completing documentation and reports
  • Communicating progress on repairs and new installations
Useful skills
Communicating complex ideas
Useful skills
Precise
Useful skills
Instructing others
Useful skills
Attention to detail
£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
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£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
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Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Healthcare Engineering Technician

There are different kinds of healthcare engineering, for example electrical, mechanical, biomedical or building services. You could choose to specialise in one area.

With experience, you could lead a team or take responsibility for a large number of buildings, where all equipment is in your care. You could even progress to designing medical devices or equipment yourself.

How to become a Healthcare Engineering Technician

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Options available after GCSEs:

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

You could work across a range of healthcare devices or within a big healthcare environment, like a hospital. You’ll have frequent contact with patients, sometimes working when they are present, and will make sure medical teams can complete their work effectively by making sure medical equipment is in good working order when it’s needed.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

Biomedical Technician
Clinical Engineer
Dental Engineering Technician
Instrument Curator
Medical Electronics Technician
Medical Engineering Technician
Building Services Technician

How a Security Systems Technician makes a difference

Businesses, homes, and public buildings all require fire safety equipment to make sure people are alerted and protected if a fire breaks out. Many properties also have security systems to protect them from break-ins and vandalism, and to prevent theft.

Today’s safety and security systems are very high tech, using cameras and sensors that connect via the internet to security companies. Before systems are installed, property assessments take place to ensure the right equipment is recommended. You could be the technician who designs, installs and maintains safety and security systems to protect people’s possessions, property, and lives.

The type of work a Security Systems Technician will do

  • Installing new systems and modifying existing ones
  • Connecting different components and making sure they work together properly
  • Responding to call-outs to repair faults
  • Checking the performance of equipment and finding the source of faults
  • Listening to customers’ safety and security concerns
  • Making recommendations of the safety and security equipment to install
  • Teaching customers how to use security systems
  • Producing reports and customer proposals
Useful skills
Attention to detail
Useful skills
Technologically minded
Useful skills
Problem solving
Useful skills
Logical thinking
Useful skills
Precise
Useful skills
Instructing others
Useful skills
Communicating complex ideas
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Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Security System Technician

Early on in your career you will specialise in either fire safety or electronic security systems. As your experience grows you will start to work independently, visiting customer premises, advising them on repairs, and installing systems.

Over time, you could progress to leading a team of engineers. Alternatively, you could become a specialist who checks systems to make sure they comply with regulation, or you could set up your own safety and security company.

How to become a Security Systems Technician

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Options available after GCSEs:

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

The technology used by fire safety and security systems continues to evolve and you will need to stay in touch with developments to continue to advise clients well. Regulation on fire safety standards also continues to evolve and all companies and public buildings are required to have annual checks to make sure their protective equipment is in good working order.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

Emergency and Security Systems Engineer
Fire and Security Systems Engineer

How an Electrical Engineering Technician makes a difference

As an Electrical Engineering Technician, you help keep homes, schools, hospitals and workplaces running safely. You help ensure electrical and electronic systems are installed correctly, tested properly and fixed quickly when something goes wrong.

Your work helps keep lights on, machines working and technology connected. By following safety rules and quality checks, you protect people from harm and reduce waste. You also help organisations save energy and work more efficiently, which is good for people and the planet.

The type of work an Electrical Engineering Technician will do

  • Assemble and wire electrical and electronic components
  • Test systems to check they work safely and correctly
  • Find faults using tools and basic test equipment
  • Repair or replace faulty parts
  • Carry out planned maintenance checks
  • Read drawings, instructions and technical information
Useful skills
Technologically minded
Useful skills
Logical thinking
Useful skills
Communicating complex ideas
Useful skills
Precise
Useful skills
Instructing others
£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per year *
£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per month *

Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for an Electrical Engineering Technician

With experience, you could specialise in areas like electronics, manufacturing, maintenance or installation. You might move into senior technician roles, engineering jobs or team leadership. Some people go on to design systems, manage projects or train apprentices. There are also opportunities to work in many different industries or start your own business.

How to become an Electrical Engineering Technician

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Options available after GCSEs:

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

This role is hands on and varied, so no two days are the same. You might be building equipment one day and fixing a fault the next. You get to work with real technology and see the results of your work straight away. As technology changes you keep learning new skills, which makes the job interesting and adaptable as technologies change. You also gain skills that are useful in many industries across the UK.

Other job titles...

You might also see this role listed under different job titles, including:

Electrical technician
Electronic engineering technician
Maintenance technician
Installation technician
Service technician

How a Telecommunications Technician makes a difference

Organisations rely on telecommunication systems in all areas of operations, just as people rely on voice, data, and video communications across their leisure and home life. The number of devices that utilise mobile and broadband networks has expanded tremendously over the last ten years, as internet and mobile technology have become faster and more readily available.

Not all areas enjoy the same superfast internet connections, however, and mobile and broadband networks can fail. Therefore specialists are required to understand what the challenges are, install the right technology, and repair issues quickly. You could be the technician who helps people and business to communicate with each other effectively by making network connections fast and reliable.

The type of work a Telecommunications Technician will do

  • Implementing IT solutions involving network hardware, software, databases and programming
  • Responding to reports about failing networks and communications
  • Diagnosing issues
  • Interacting with a wide variety of users with varying levels of technical knowledge
  • Collecting and analysing network and telecommunications performance data
  • Implementing and testing secure systems
  • Testing and maintaining core network infrastructure
Useful skills
Logical thinking
Useful skills
Attention to detail
Useful skills
Problem solving
Useful skills
Technologically minded
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£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per month *

Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Telecommunications Technician

You could work in several different environments, including large telecoms companies, within the IT team of a big organisation, or within a specialist IT consultancy that helps organisations install and manage their telecommunication systems.

As your knowledge and experience increase, you could get involved in the design of networks, helping organisations transition from old telecommunications systems to fast internet-based solutions.

How to become a Telecommunications Technician

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Options available after GCSEs:

More options available after that:

  • An apprenticeship as a Cellular Network Field Engineer.

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

Many of the systems you install will be based in the cloud, instead of being installed in servers on premises. You’ll use cloud technology to roll out new systems to businesses and to provide software updates and new services to customers. You will understand how voice, data, and video infrastructure operates and how to direct different types of calls over the network to make telecommunications as cost effective as possible.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

Cloud Technician
Communications Technician
Cyber/Security Support
Data Centre Support Technician
Help Desk Support
IT Field Technician
IT Support Analyst
Network Field Operative
Network Support
Office IT Technician