Electrical engineering technician

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

• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• knowledge of maths 
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• analytical thinking skills
• complex problem-solving skills
• the ability to work well with others
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

With experience, you could:

• move into leadership, managing a team of technicians
•  become self employed as an electrical sub contractor
•  take on electrical design work
•  train more to qualify as an electrical engineer
•  become a building service engineer or facilities manager