Electrical engineering technician

You can do a foundation degree or higher national diploma in electrical and electronic engineering.

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 take a college course, which would teach you some of the skills needed for the job and may help you to find a trainee position with a company.

Relevant courses include:

• electrical installation
• electrical and electronic engineering
• T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction
• T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control

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
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You can apply to do an Engineering and Manufacturing Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship.

You can also do a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, such as:

• Installation and Maintenance
• Engineering Maintenance Technician
• Engineering Technician
• Power Industry Substation Fitter

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship

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

You can apply directly for jobs if you have relevant experience and qualifications. For example, from electrical, electronic, power or building services engineering.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in electrical engineering through Tomorrow's Engineers and The Institution of Engineering and Technology .

Depending on where you work as an electrical engineering technician, you could:

• install turbines, switchgear and power lines
• service traffic lights, street lights and motorway signs
• assemble, fit and repair drives, motors and programmable logic control (PLC) panels
• upgrade rail and signalling systems
• fix electrical faults in machines and carry out safety inspections
• install and maintain lights, heating, lifts and escalators

We've identified this as a potential green job

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

• install and maintain renewable technologies like wind turbines and heat pumps
• use environmentally friendly materials like biodegradable or recyclable plastics
• follow industry standards to make sure you are working in an environmentally responsible way

Find out more about green careers

You could work in a workshop, in an office, at a power station or in a factory.