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How a Digital Forensic Technician makes a difference

Digital forensic technicians help keep people and organisations safe. They look for clues on computers, mobile phones and online systems to help solve crimes or understand what went wrong after a cyber-attack.

Their work can support police investigations, protect businesses from hackers and help courts make fair decisions. By carefully handling digital evidence, they help make sure the truth is found and that evidence can be trusted.

2 people working on one laptop with electronic devices around them.

The type of work a Digital Forensic Technician will do

  • Investigate digital devices like laptops, phones and tablets
  • Study usage, like internet history and app activity
  • Use specialist software to look for deleted files, messages and pictures
  • Make safe copies of data and store evidence securely
  • Keep clear notes of everything you do
  • Work with police or security teams
  • Write up reports of findings
Useful skills
Attention to detail
Useful skills
Critical thinking
Useful skills
Decisive
Useful skills
Logical thinking
Useful skills
Practical application
Useful skills
Precise
Useful skills
Technologically minded
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Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Digital Forensic Technician

With experience, you could become a senior digital forensic analyst or move into cyber security roles. Some people specialise in mobile devices or online investigations. Others move into training, management or work as expert witnesses in court. There are also opportunities to work in policing, private companies or government organisations.

How to become a Digital Forensic 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 Digital Support and Security
  • An apprenticeship as a Data Technician

More options available after that:

  • An apprenticeship as a Digital Forensic 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...

You might be working on a criminal investigation one day and helping a company recover from a cyber-attack the next. You get to use advanced tools to uncover hidden information and solve real-world problems. Your work can have a big impact, helping to protect people, money and important systems.

Other job titles...

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

Digital forensic analyst
Digital forensics investigator
Cyber forensic technician
Computer forensic analyst

How a Research and Development Technician makes a difference

As a Research and Development Technician, you help test and refine ideas so they can become real working products.

You make sure designs work properly, help test and improve prototypes, and share your findings with engineers and other team members. Your work helps businesses build better, safer and more useful products, from cars and aircraft to everyday machines, and makes sure things work as they should before they reach customers.

Louisa wearing an apron, facemask, safety goggles, and gloves, measuring out a liquid in the lab.

The type of work a Research and Development Technician will do

  • Help prepare and set up tools and equipment safely
  • Carry out tests on parts, systems and prototypes
  • Record results and check quality against designs
  • Work with engineers to solve problems found during testing
  • Read and follow drawings, plans and technical information
  • Use workshop and lab equipment such as measurement tools or 3D printers
Useful skills
Problem solving
Useful skills
Attention to detail
Useful skills
Logical thinking
Useful skills
Practical application
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Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Research and Development Technician

Starting as a Research and Development Technician can lead to roles such as product development technician, design technician or specialist technical roles. With experience and further training, you could move into higher technical jobs or work towards becoming an engineer.

How to become a Research and Development 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 Engineering, manufacturing, processing and control​
  • An apprenticeship as an Engineering 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...

This role combines hands-on practical work with creative thinking. You might help build and test new ideas, work with prototypes or use digital tools to check how things fit and function. You will work alongside engineers in industries such as manufacturing, automotive or aerospace, helping test and improve products people use every day. There is always something new to learn and improve, making the job varied and interesting.

Other job titles...

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

Engineering Technician
Product Design and Development Technician
Prototype Technician
Laboratory Technician
Technical Support Technician

How a Dental Nurse Technician makes a difference

Dental nurses play a big part in keeping people’s mouths healthy. They support dentists during treatments, which helps appointments run smoothly and safely.

They also look after patients, calming nervous people and explaining what is happening. By keeping tools clean and following strict hygiene rules, dental nurses help stop infections spreading. Their work means patients get the right care and feel more comfortable when visiting the dentist.

A pair of false teeth in a dental practice

The type of work a Dental Nurse Technician will do

  • Prepare the dental surgery
  • Clean and sterilise dental instruments
  • Keep patients’ records up to date
  • Make sure patients are comfortable and feel reassured
  • Help manage stock and order supplies
  • With training, take dental X-rays
Useful skills
Practical application
Useful skills
Attention to detail
Useful skills
Logical thinking
Useful skills
Precise
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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 Dental Nurse Technician

With experience and extra training, dental nurses can move into specialist roles. This includes orthodontic nursing, which focuses on braces, or oral health education, where you teach people how to care for their teeth. Some dental nurses train to become dental hygienists or dental therapists. Others move into teaching, practice management or further study in dental care.

How to become a Dental Nurse 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 Health
  • An apprenticeship as a Dental Nurse

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...

Dental nursing is a hands-on job where you learn practical skills and use specialist equipment every day. You’ll work closely with dentists and learn how lots of different treatments are done, from check-ups to braces and fillings. No two days are the same because every patient is different. You’ll help a wide variety of people which can be really rewarding.

Other job titles...

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

Registered dental nurse
Dental surgery assistant
Dental assistant

How an Aquaponics Technician makes a difference

Aquaponics technicians help grow food in a smart and sustainable way. Aquaponics mixes fish farming with plant growing, using the same water for both. The waste from the fish feeds the plants, and the plants help clean the water.

This helps save water, cut waste and produce fresh food locally. It can be used in farms, schools, greenhouses and even cities. By looking after the equipment, aquaponics technicians help the plants and fish stay healthy and balanced, helping to grow food for the future while supporting the environment.

Basket of green and red tomatoes

The type of work an Aquaponics Technician will do

  • Maintain and fix equipment, like pumps and filters
  • Test water quality for temperature, acidity and nutrients
  • Feed and care for fish, checking their health and behaviour regularly
  • Spot problems early and solve them when they arise
  • Look after plants and check their growth
  • Clean tanks, pipes and filters
  • Collect data and keep accurate records
Useful skills
Attention to detail
Useful skills
Critical thinking
Useful skills
Logical thinking
Useful skills
Practical application
Useful skills
Problem solving
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Average salary per month *

Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for an Aquaponics Technician

With experience, you could become a senior aquaponics technician or system supervisor. Some people move into designing aquaponics systems or managing larger food growing sites. Others go on to study agriculture, environmental science or engineering. You could also work in education, helping schools and communities learn about sustainable food growing.

How to become an Aquaponics 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 Agriculture, Land Management and Production
  • An apprenticeship as a Livestock Unit Technician

More options available after that:

  • An apprenticeship as an Assistant Farm Manager

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 get to work with both fish and plants, indoors or outdoors, and see how they depend on each other. It feels rewarding to watch food grow from start to finish. Aquaponics uses less water than traditional farming and can work in small spaces, which makes it feel like you are part of the future of food. You get to use science in real life, not just in the classroom.

Other job titles...

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

Aquaponics operative
Aquaculture technician
Controlled environment agriculture technician
Sustainable farming technician
Fish and plant systems technician

How a Welding Technician makes a difference

Welding is a way to make high strength joints between two or more parts. It is used extensively in almost every industry, including automotive, marine, transport and construction, and results in components for cars, ships and rail vehicles, as well as simple metallic containers and steelwork for bridges and buildings.

Making sure a joint is safe and strong is the primary role of a welder. Joints need to meet exact quality standards so that the finished products they are part of function correctly and can be relied upon. Fixing worn out joints is just as essential. You could be the technician who makes sure products, transport and processes are safe and contribute to a high quality of life.

The type of work a Welding Technician will do

  • Preparing and checking welding equipment
  • Ensuring your materials and work area are ready for welding
  • Operating tooling machines
  • Carrying out cutting, shaping and welding processes
  • Using a range of welding processes and joint types
  • Understanding the major components of welding equipment
  • Identifying welding defects
  • Preventing defects by using the right materials for each application
Useful skills
Technologically minded
Useful skills
Attention to detail
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
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Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Welding Technician

There are several different pathways you can follow as a welder, including becoming a specialist in a particular industry, working on more complex construction projects, including those underwater, and teaching other people how to weld.

You could also become a welding inspector, helping to make sure quality and safety standards are maintained and improved upon.

How to become a Welding 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...

Welders use high electrical energy to form an arc. This arc is used to melt metals and to fuse them together to form a structurally sound weld. Controlling the arc requires a lot of skill that is in high demand. There are opportunities to work all over the world and in different environments, including offshore windfarms and oil rigs.

How a Veterinary Nurse makes a difference

There are all kinds of animals that need veterinary care in this country. Not only the common domestic animals that many of us have as pets, such as dogs and cats, but also larger farm animals including cows, alpacas and sheep.

The animals each veterinary practice cares for depends on its location, but each one is responsible for delivering preventative treatments, as well as reactive care in response to accidents or illness. You could be the technician who supports animals receiving treatments and advises owners.

The type of work a Veterinary Nurse will do

  • Preparing and maintaining all areas of the veterinary practice
  • Preparing records, equipment and resources
  • Managing and performing infection control procedures
  • Supporting surgical procedures
  • Preparing specimens for transportation
  • Taking and processing radiographs
  • Engaging with owners and taking good care of their pets
Useful skills
Communicating complex ideas
Useful skills
Decisive
Useful skills
Precise

Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Veterinary Nurse

Throughout your career you could work at different types of veterinary practices, choosing those that support the animals you’re interested in and wish to learn more about.

You could work within a veterinary group and move around to different practices, depending on where your skills are needed. Or you could progress to training others.

How to become a Veterinary Nurse

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’ll play a significant role educating owners about maintaining the health of their pets and will be responsible for keeping them informed when medical procedures are taking place. You’ll also be involved in a range of diagnostic tests, medical treatments and minor surgical procedures, working under the direction of a vet.

How a Colour and Dye Technician makes a difference

Colours of all kinds are everywhere, in textiles, work clothing, fashion fabrics, and upholstery. Highly specialised colour and dye chemistry ensures the right colours can be achieved across all kinds of materials.

Colour trends come and go, however, and new fabrics are being developed all the time to make furniture, clothing and products of all kinds that are better for the planet. You could be the technician that brings colour to the world, applying your colour and dye chemistry to new and planet-friendly materials.

The type of work a Colour and Dye Technician will do

  • Creating recipes for specific shades of colour
  • Scheduling machine time
  • Programming the computers that control the containers of ingredients
  • Controlling stock and ordering dyes
  • Meeting environmental controls for chemicals usage
  • Liaising with clients on their colour objectives and production timelines
  • Carrying out colour test to make sure colour lasts
Useful skills
Attention to detail
Useful skills
Precise
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 Colour and Dye Technician

Your skills in dye production can take you in lots of different directions, first working in and then leading a team.

You could help to create luxury fabrics for a fashion brand, hard-wearing comfortable fabrics for furniture or develop a whole range of colours on an industrial scale for different kinds of manufacturers.

How to become a Colour and Dye 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 Craft and Design.
  • An apprenticeship as a Craft Assistant Dye and Print 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...

Working as a colour and dye technician involves moving between manufacturing facilities and laboratories and working with customers to achieve their colour goals. You’ll be responsible for colour trials, production and the ultimate quality of colour.

Other job titles...

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

Colour Chemist
Colour Scientist
Dye Technologist
Dye-House Technician
Laboratory Technician
Manufacturing Managers

How a University Technician makes a difference

Most universities have laboratories where important research programmes are carried out and where students studying a range of science and engineering subjects learn experimentation techniques.

Laboratories and the equipment in them need to be properly supplied and managed, and students and researchers need support with their projects and experiments. You could be the technician who carries out research processes and helps students and colleagues to make scientific discoveries.

The type of work a University Technician will do

  • Carrying out repeat experiments
  • Data capture and record keeping
  • Checking findings against standards, highlighting any differences
  • Evaluating data
  • Formulating and reporting evidence
  • Collaborating with the lab team and university teachers
  • Helping students plan and carry out their scientific work
Useful skills
Attention to detail
Useful skills
Problem solving
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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
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Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a University Technician

Your technician role will give you skills that are transferrable to many kinds of laboratories, so you could decide to work in several different sectors.

Over time, you will have the experience to manage a team and could become a lab manager.

How to become a University 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 Laboratory 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...

As well as being involved in research and working with scientists on research programmes, you will play an important role helping students to become immersed in their scientific studies. You will also enable them to operate in the laboratory safely and efficiently and achieve their scientific goals.

Other job titles...

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

Analytical Support Chemist
Technical Support Scientist
Microbiology Support Scientist
Process Development Technologist
Laboratory Assistant
Senior Laboratory Technician
Assistant Scientist
Technical Specialist (Scientist)
Quality Control Laboratory Assistant
Laboratory Co-ordinator
Technical Laboratory Assistant
Laboratory Analyst
Laboratory Research Assistant

How a Space Engineering Technician makes a difference

Space manufacturing includes the design and production of satellites, as well as the components and subsystems that are used within them. This area of manufacturing is growing in the UK and more specialist engineers are needed to work in UK spaceports, new satellite launch sites and testing facilities.

As a space engineering technician, you’ll be involved in the development, manufacture, assembly, integration, and testing of complex, high-value space hardware and ground-based equipment. Every component helps to enable important things like in-space power generation, altitude control, rocket propulsion, and space communication. You could be the technician who helps space exploration to happen without a hitch and communications to be maintained.

The type of work a Space Engineering Technician will do

  • Build and test precision components
  • Plan and carry out component assembly
  • Inspect components and find the source of any faults
  • Carry out integration and testing activity
  • Operate equipment and analysis tools
  • Complete documentation for each stage of activity
  • Present test results
  • Find ways to improve processes and procedures
Useful skills
Critical thinking
Useful skills
Decisive
Useful skills
Instructing others
Useful skills
Precise
Useful skills
Technologically minded
£ 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 a Space Engineering Technician

Once you’ve built your knowledge about a range of components, you may decide to specialise in a particular kind, or focus your career on the research and development of new components.

Senior space engineering roles include responsibility for managing and training other people, project management, and liaising with international space partners.

How to become a Space 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:

More options available after that:

  • A Higher Technical Qualification such as a Higher National Certificate in Space Technologies for England.
  • An apprenticeship as a Space Engineering 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...

You will contribute to inspection and testing activities for mission-critical satellites and support the integration of technology at space centres and launch sites in other countries. Your range of customers will include space agencies and satellite operators and you will interact with international organisations responsible for space technology standardisation and quality.

Other job titles...

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

Advanced Manufacturing Technician
Assembly
Control and Instrumentation Engineering Technician
Electrical Engineering Technician
Integration and Test Technician
Materials and Chemical Engineering Technician
Quality and Product Assurance Technician
Satellite Manufacturing
Spacecraft Mechanical Engineering Technician
Spacecraft Propulsion Engineering Technician

How a Simulation Technician makes a difference

Simulations – creating a model or replica of how something works in real life – are great tools for teaching people. The NHS uses them to help people learn, rehearse, and perfect patient care.

There are different forms of simulations, including IT equipment, audio visual equipment, models of the human body, and other mechanical and electronic devices. You could be the technician who makes these simulations as real as possible, helping train NHS staff to carry out healthcare tasks to the required standard.

The type of work a Simulation Technician will do

  • Working with medical specialists to understand the training required
  • Understanding different specialisms in a hospital
  • Developing effective simulations
  • Setting up scenarios for staff training
  • Participating in simulation sessions and courses
  • Organising and maintaining equipment
  • Pretending to be the patient
Useful skills
Attention to detail
Useful skills
Logical thinking
Useful skills
Technologically minded
Useful skills
Instructing others
Useful skills
Precise
£ 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 a Simulation Technician

NHS simulation departments are busy environments that will present you with interesting challenges.

Initially you’ll support senior colleagues then, with experience, will have the opportunity to become a supervisor yourself.

How to become a Simulation 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.
  • A T-level in Health.
  • An apprenticeship as an Education technician (Simulation-based).

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’ll work in a team with a range of specialists, developing a mix of skills for the different simulations you produce. Some will be simple simulations while others will be highly complex, requiring great thought and ingenuity to determine how you can best mirror reality.