Building technician

You could:

• estimate construction costs to support bids for new work projects
• negotiate materials, equipment and labour costs with suppliers
• check supplier quality
• 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

• knowledge of building and construction
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• thinking and reasoning skills
• analytical thinking skills
• maths knowledge
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• knowledge of public safety and security
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship

With experience you could move into construction project management or specialise in estimating, CAD drafting or buying.

You could find work with:

• national and international building firms and contractors
• central and local government
• organisations that do their own construction work, like utility companies, major retailers and the NHS