Building technician

You could study for a foundation degree or higher national diploma in:

• construction
• the built environment
• surveying
• civil engineering

Courses that give you the opportunity to gain work experience through internships or industry placements may give you an advantage when looking for jobs.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You can do a college course, which may help you to get a job as a trainee technician.

Courses include:

• civil engineering
• construction and the built environment
• computer-aided design
• T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You could apply for a place on an apprenticeship wth a construction company. These include:

• Construction Support Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Surveying Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Building Services Engineering Senior Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Construction Design and Build Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Civil Engineering Senior Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

These can take between 2 and 3 years to complete and combine on-the-job training with study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Registrations

you'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site

Further Information

You can get more advice on how to become a building technician from Go Construct .

As a building technician, you could:

• estimate construction costs to support bids for new work
• negotiate materials, equipment and labour costs with suppliers
• check quality standards of materials
• help to plan the methods used in each construction stage
• draft construction plans and blueprints using CAD software
• monitor build progress against completion dates
• give update reports at progress meetings
• prepare construction sites before work begins
• supervise teams of contractors

You could work on a construction site or in an office.

Your working environment may be at height and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.