Chemical engineering technician

You can do a foundation degree, higher national certificate or degree in:

• chemistry
• chemical sciences
• chemical engineering
• biochemical engineering

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including chemistry

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 take a college course before applying to a company for a trainee technician job.

Courses include:

• applied science
• chemistry
• T Level in Science (laboratory sciences option)

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 a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship to get into this job, such as:

• Laboratory Technician
• Science Manufacturing Technician
• Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician

With experience, you might also go on to do a Technician Scientist Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

These can take between 2 and 4 years to complete.

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
• apprenticeship levels|https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices/about-apprenticeships#UnderstandingApprenticeshiplevelsandqualifications
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Professional and Industry Bodies

You could join the Institution of Chemical Engineers for professional development opportunities.

Further Information

You can get more advice about careers in the chemicals industry from the Institution of Chemical Engineers.

As a chemical engineering technician, you could:

• help to design, build or install production plant equipment
• research new products and processes in the laboratory
• monitor production processes and machinery
• record data and make adjustments to instruments
• follow safety procedures and regulations
• carry out quality control checks

We've identified this as a potential green job

For a chemical engineering technician to be a green job, you could:

• develop alternative fuels like hydrogen to reduce reliance on petrochemicals
• investigate ways to reduce waste plastic
• research more efficient and sustainable ways to manufacture batteries

Find out more about green careers

You could work at a manufacturing plant, in an office or in a laboratory.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

You may need to wear protective clothing.