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How a Plumbing and Heating Technician makes a difference

Every household across Britain is served by safe running water and most have a central heating system to warm water and heat rooms during the colder months. We depend on our plumbing and heating systems to make life comfortable and easier and all sorts of problems are created when systems break down.

Energy and water efficiency have also become extremely important in protecting our planet’s resources and keeping living costs down. Technicians install, service, and maintain plumbing and heating systems and play a big role in making sure water and energy use is controlled. You could be the technician who helps to ensure people have the water and heat they need and are able to use it efficiently.

The type of work a Plumbing and Heating Technician will do

  • Planning and carrying out installations
  • Completing regular maintenance work
  • Testing systems and finding out the cause of problems
  • Repairing faults
  • Explaining issues and new appliances to customers
  • Replacing components
  • Completing safety checks
  • Disposing of old appliances and equipment correctly
  • Maintaining stock levels of regularly used parts
Useful skills
Problem solving
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Technologically minded
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Instructing others
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Attention to detail
Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the Plumbing and Heating Technician role

A fascination with how things work.

An interest in different sources of energy and how to be energy efficient.

The natural ability to look at a problem logically and consider all possibilities before choosing which option to follow.

What you can bring to the Plumbing and Heating Technician role

The confidence to work with new tools and equipment and learn how to use them properly.

A friendly and polite approach to dealing with people of all kinds.

The ability to work independently and within a team.

What you can bring to the Plumbing and Heating Technician role

Good communication skills and the ability to instruct others on how things work.

Great attention to detail when you plan, implement and record your work.

What you can bring to the Plumbing and Heating Technician role

This role could also be right for you if you have any of the following interests:

- building, making and fixing things

- exploring problems and finding answers

- sustainability

£ 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 Plumbing and Heating Technician

With experience you have the option to set up your own business and become an independent plumbing and heating technician. Or alternatively you could join a big national team that serves a large number of domestic properties. There you could progress through local, regional, and director level roles.

You could also decide you want to specialise in a particular area of plumbing or heating. This could mean you transfer to commercial work, where teams often specialise in different sectors such as leisure or hospitality.

How to become a Plumbing and Heating 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...

In this role you can work inside and outside of domestic properties or you could be part of a team that installs the latest energy efficient systems into new houses. You will work on the piping, drainage and water systems that serve homes, as well as appliances and equipment. You will also be at the forefront of installing new and exciting environmental technologies, like heat pumps, solar thermal systems, biomass boilers and water recycling systems.

Other job titles...

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

Plumber
Domestic Heating Engineer
Domestic Heating Installer
Plumbing and Domestic Heating Installer
Plumbing and Domestic Heating Engineer

How a Munitions Explosives Technician makes a difference

Ordnance munitions explosives (OME) are used in many industries, including mining and quarrying, pyrotechnics (e.g. fireworks), and within the film industry for special effects. They are not unique to the Armed Forces.

All OME have their own features and are designed to behave in a predictable, controlled way. That’s so the people using them know what the explosive’s impact will be. You could be the technician that makes sure ordnance munitions explosives are fit for purpose and behave as expected.

The type of work a Munitions Explosives Technician will do

  • Understanding explosives compositions and devices
  • Following safe, approved systems of work
  • Setting up processing areas and equipment
  • Checking inventory
  • Working with a team to test and develop products
  • Disposing of OME correctly
Useful skills
Technologically minded
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Instructing others
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Decisive
Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the Munitions Explosives Technician role

An interest in science and learning how things work.

An enjoyment of being outdoors.

A strong sense of responsibility.

What you can bring to the Munitions Explosives Technician role

The ability to help other people understand how things are done.

The maturity to assess challenges from all angles and be decisive about the right actions to take.

Confidence to try new tools and technology and create things on a computer.

What you can bring to the Munitions Explosives Technician role

You could also be right for this role if you have any of the following interests:

- science

- sports, adventures and outdoors

- building, making and fixing things

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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
Average salary per month *

Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Munitions Explosives Technician

Your career opportunities will depend on the industry you choose. For example, if you join the Armed Forces as an OME technician, there will be a structured career path rising through the ranks.

In mining and quarrying, you may become a team leader, designing the strategies for how OME are used. If you choose the film industry, you could become a freelancer who moves between different film sets, advising on OME and their safe use.

How to become a Munitions Explosives 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 an Ordnance Munitions Explosives 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’ll become an expert in explosives compositions and devices with the skill to advise others on the OME they’re using. You could work in the defence industry, testing, researching and developing new products. Or you could put your skills to use for entertainment, being a technician that helps to deliver a complex firework display or a special effect for an action movie.

Other job titles...

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

Ammunition Technician
OME Manufacturing Technician
Pyrotechnics Technician
Shot Firer
Special Effects Technician
Trials and Research Technician
Weapons Technician
Storage and Transport Coordinator

How a Lift and Escalator Technician makes a difference

Lifts, escalators and moving walkways come in a wide variety of types and sizes. They are used for moving both goods and people and support journeys across buildings, as well as up and down them. You’ll find them in warehouses, high rise flats and offices, hotels, airports, railway stations, and within people’s homes.

While most of us use lifts and escalators, some people really rely on them because they’re unable to walk or take the stairs. In very tall buildings broken lifts or escalators could mean the building needs to shut down. You could be the technician who services and repairs lifts and escalators, enabling reliable, safe and fast journeys and ensuring everyone can get to where they need to go.

The type of work a Lift and Escalator Technician will do

  • Installing new systems in new or existing buildings
  • Servicing and repairing existing lifts and escalators
  • Testing and inspecting products in commercial and domestic environments
  • Following technical manufacturers’ instructions
  • Advising customers on the safe operation of installed systems
  • Using tools, measuring instruments and fault-finding processes to diagnose issues
  • Interpreting and implementing wiring diagrams
Useful skills
Attention to detail
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Logical thinking
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Problem solving
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Instructing others
Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the Lift and Escalator Technician role

A fascination with engineering and how moving things operate.

The ability to look at issues from all angles and apply a logical approach to solving a problem.

The ability to focus and make accurate decisions.

What you can bring to the Lift and Escalator Technician role

An enjoyment of learning about technical things and putting what you’ve learnt into practice.

A knack for understanding complex designs and diagrams and explaining them to other people.

The natural ability to work in different environments, engaging with a wide variety of people.

What you can bring to the Lift and Escalator Technician role

This role could also be right for you if you have any of the following interests:

- building, making and fixing things

- science

- exploring problems and finding answers

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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
Average salary per month *

Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Lift and Escalator Technician

Your level of engineering knowledge will grow and grow, enabling you to specialise in different kinds of lifts, escalators and moving walkways and potentially be involved in some very high profile buildings.

With experience, you could progress to leading a team and training others, or become involved in safety and quality inspections.

How to become a Lift and Escalator 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 mechanical, electric and hydraulic engineering used in lifts and escalators is continuously evolving, so you will learn how to repair and maintain older equipment and discover new, high-tech solutions. You might get involved in replacing a whole system, taking out old mechanical, hydraulic, electric and electronic parts, and leaving an up to date, modern machine in its place.

Other job titles...

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

Lift and Escalator Electromechanic

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
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Problem solving
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Instructing others
Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the Electrician role

An enthusiasm for finding out how electrical systems work.

A responsible attitude to following instructions and completing detailed work accurately.

A natural ability to engage with colleagues, customers, suppliers, the public and other trades.

What you can bring to the Electrician role

An interest in understanding how electrical works integrate with other building structures and systems.

The ability to look at an issue from different angles and find a solution.

The skills to communicate complex ideas or tasks to other people.

What you can bring to the Electrician role

This role could also be right for you if you have any of the following interests:

- building, making or fixing things

- exploring problems and finding answers

£ 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 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 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
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Technologically minded
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Problem solving
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Logical thinking
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Precise
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Instructing others
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Communicating complex ideas
Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the Security Systems Technician role

A passion for technology, computers and apps.

The confidence to engage with new software and mobile applications, and to work out how things operate.

The ability to focus and take in details from conversations and environments.

A skill for communicating complex ideas to other people.

What you can bring to the Security Systems Technician role

A knack for unravelling problems and considering different solutions before deciding on the best way forward.

A desire to look after other people and keep them safe.

A consistently careful approach to producing written reports and records.

What you can bring to the Security Systems Technician role

This role could also be right for you if you have any of the following interests:

- gaming and technology

- caring for other people

- exploring problems and finding answers

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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
Average salary per month *

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 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
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Attention to detail
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Problem solving
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Technologically minded
Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the Telecommunications Technician role

A passion for technology.

A fascination with how voice, video and data travel across networks to destinations all over the world.

A natural inclination to think through a problem logically and consider different possibilities before drawing conclusions.

What you can bring to the Telecommunications Technician role

The ability to focus, make sound judgements and accurate decisions.

The confidence to define or identity a complex problem and take on the challenge of finding the solution.

A knack for using new technology and creating and managing things on a computer

What you can bring to the Telecommunications Technician role

This role could also be right for you if you have any of the following interests:

- gaming and technology

- building, making and fixing things

- exploring problems and finding answer

£ 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 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

How an Archaeological Technician makes a difference

Archaeologists discover all kinds of items that can tell us about how people lived and worked in the past. Tools can reveal the metals that were available and how things were built. Clothing can tell us about available materials and cultural traditions. Bones can tell us about people’s diets and health.

An archaeological dig is an intricate process that involves setting a grid, gently excavating soil and stones, and making a record of any changes to the soil as you dig down. Nowadays, it also involves a range of technology, including 3D scanners. Any finds are recorded and analysed to see what they reveal about the past. You could be the technician who finds a unique historical artefact that helps to piece together how our ancestors lived.

Useful skills
Attention to detail
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Precise
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Problem solving
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Critical thinking
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Communicating complex ideas
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Technologically minded
Skills & attributes

The type of work an Archaeological Technician will do

  • Carrying out surveys
  • Participating in excavations
  • Recording discoveries
  • Completing post-excavation analysis
  • Producing publications
  • Labelling, bagging and cataloguing artefacts
  • Processing and sorting environmental samples
  • Archiving materials, records and digital data

What you can bring to the Archaeological Technician role

An interest in history and how people lived in the past.

An enjoyment of working outside and using your hands.

The ability to focus on your work and record detailed information accurately.

A knack for using new technology and creating things on a computer.

What you can bring to the Archaeological Technician role

A natural instinct for ordering your work and making sound judgements about how to complete tasks accurately.

An analytical approach to solving problems.

The skill to think about a subject or idea from all angles, ask the right questions and act on what you’ve learned.

An aptitude for communicating complex ideas to other people.

What you can bring to the Archaeological Technician role

This role could also be right for you if you have any of the following interests:

- exploring problems and finding answers

- science

- history

£ 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 Archaeological Technician

Your career could begin in a wide range of organisations, including private companies that need to understand sites before building starts, or charities, museums or universities involved in archaeological research.

You may find you prefer lab research or decide that you want to spend most of your time on digs. You can apply for roles on digs taking place all over the world and could eventually lead a dig yourself.

How to become an Archaeological 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:  

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...

Your archaeological career could take you to many parts of the world, as well as all over the UK. You could be commissioned to excavate sites before permission is given to build on them, or you could even be interviewed for the news when an exciting new artefact is discovered. As well as working on a dig, you have the option of carrying out lab work, completing the analysis of important finds.

Other job titles...

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

Archaeologist
Site Assistant
Archaeological Fieldwork Technician
Finds Processor
Finds Technician
Finds Assistant
Environmental Processor
Environmental Technician