A Compressed Air and Vacuum Technician installs and serves compressed air and vacuum equipment in a huge range of sectors from factories to hospitals
If air is kept at a pressure that is greater than normal air pressure (atmospheric), it is defined as compressed air. If it is kept at a pressure that is less than normal air pressure, it is defined as a vacuum. Compressed air and vacuums are used in a range of products and services including power tools, cleaning systems, gas generation, and air cylinders that enable automation.
Technicians support the effective operations of these tools and systems, by diagnosing faults, repairing equipment, and carrying out maintenance to ensure optimum efficiency. A wide range of industries need this support, including manufacturing, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, power stations, hospitals, and transportation. You could be the technician who carries out specialist repairs and installations to keep operations running smoothly.
You could begin your career working in a specialist engineering services business, where you’ll provide technical support to a range of customers.
Alternatively, many industrial businesses have their own technicians to provide continuous technical advice and services. You could progress to being a team leader, running a group of engineers and training other people.
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.
The latest examples of compressed air and vacuum equipment are highly innovative, using information technology (IT) control systems and internet connectivity to ensure cutting edge efficiency. Automation is also rapidly expanding, particularly in industrial environments, with air cylinders helping to create force and different directions of motion. There are many great opportunities to be involved in exciting innovation.
This role can also be known by some other job titles including:
Air Treatment Engineer
Air Treatment Technician
Commissioning Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Electrical Technician
Installation Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Pressure Systems Competent Person
Product Support Engineer
Service Engineer
Service Technician
