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Engineering design

Telecoms engineer

Telecoms engineers install broadband, mobile and landline phone networks and work on satellite, digital TV and fibre optic systems.

Annual Salary

£24,000 to £40,000

Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

39 to 41 a week

You could work: on call; at short notice

4.1%
Future employment

There will be 4.1% fewer Telecoms engineer jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

As a telecoms engineer, you could:

  • set up mobile, fixed communications and data networks
  • repair lines and equipment on mobile masts and antennae
  • lay and test underground and underfloor cabling
  • find and fix faults, including using software remotely
  • design, build and test components and equipment
  • communicate with customers in person, on the phone or online

Working environment

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

You could work at a client's home or at a client's business.

Your working environment may be at height, cramped, outdoors in all weathers and you'll travel often.

You can get into this job through a college course or an apprenticeship.

College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills needed for the job and might help you find a trainee position with a telecoms company.

Relevant courses include:

  • Level 2 Award in Communications Cabling
  • Level 3 Diploma in Professional Competence for IT and Telecoms Professionals
  • T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing
  • T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control

Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
For more information
Apprenticeship

You could do a:

  • Telecoms Field Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Network Cable Installer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Radio Network Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Cellular Network Field Engineer Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 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
For more information

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

  • You might need a full driving licence to travel between jobs.

More information

Further information

You can find out more about careers in engineering from Tomorrow's Engineers.

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With training and experience, you could move into:supervisory roles; network design; electronic engineering

You could also set up your own installation and repair business.

You can find out more about careers in engineering from Tomorrow's Engineers

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • broadcasting and telecommunications knowledge
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • maths knowledge
  • knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • analytical thinking skills
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
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