Civil Engineering Technician
Careers Explorer:
Love putting their science and technology know how to work on complicated construction projects.
Overview
As a technically minded person, a civil engineering technician is a big team player – supporting engineers and other construction professionals in the design, construction and management of a variety of projects.
With a love for science, you will be a problem solver and will develop a broad skills base to work in areas such as sustainable construction, geotechnics, materials, tunnelling, transportation, waste management – the list goes on.
From learning how to widen a motorway or designing a tall building – this job opens the mind.
Top 5 Tasks
- Surveying a site
- Using plans and measuring techniques
- Deciding the amount and type of materials needed
- Keeping the impact of a project on the environment to a minimum
- Using advanced science to solve many problems
Salary
The starting salary for newly a qualified technician is usually between £17,000-£19,000 a year.
Experienced technicians can earn around £25,000-£35,000. Senior technicians can earn £37,000+
Salaries typically depend on location, employer and level of responsibility.
Am I Suited?
- Team player
- Technically minded
- Science and math geek
- Multi-tasker
- Problem solver
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) was founded in a coffee shop in London in 1818 by eight young civil engineers, the youngest was 19.
Qualifications
You usually need a three year Bachelor of Engineering degree or four year master’s degree in civil engineering. If you want to take up incorporated or chartered engineering jobs, these qualifications are important.
To get on a degree course you need at least three A-levels including maths and a science subject (normally physics).
If you already work in the industry as a technician, you could qualify as a Civil Engineer by studying part time for a BTEC HNC/HND, foundation degree or degree in civil engineering or through degree apprenticeships in construction.
To become a Senior or Principal Civil Engineer you will need to have worked on significant construction projects and for a number of years as a Civil Engineer. You will usually also need to have had completed an undergraduate degree and in some cases a master’s degree in civil engineering as well as have chartered status.
