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Maintenance

Lift engineer

Lift engineers install, service and repair lifts and escalators.

Annual Salary

£19,000 to £40,000

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

Working hours

42 to 44 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; on shifts

4.1%
Future employment

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

Day to day tasks

You could:

  • carry out routine checks
  • isolate problems and do repairs
  • respond to emergency breakdown call-outs
  • install and fit out lifts, lifting gear and lift wells
  • demonstrate new equipment to clients
  • refurbish or replace lift interiors, flooring, panel displays, communication systems, buttons and lighting
  • update written and computerised work records
  • make sure equipment meets health and safety regulations
  • produce risk assessment reports and legal and insurance documents

Working environment

You may need to wear a uniform.

You could work at a client's business.

Your working environment may be cramped, hot, dirty and you'll travel often.

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly
  • training with a professional body
College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant subjects include:

  • Level 3 Diploma in Maintenance Engineering Technology
  • Level 3 Diploma in Building Services Engineering
  • Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Lift Engineering

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national certificate or higher national diploma
For more information
Apprenticeship

The following apprenticeships may be relevant to this role:

  • Stairlift, platform lift and service lift electro-mechanics intermediate apprenticeship
  • Lift and escalator mechanic advanced apprenticeship
  • Lifting equipment technician advanced 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
For more information
Work

If you work in the lift and escalator industry you can do a higher national diploma or foundation degree in lift engineering, with the support of your employer.

Direct application

You can apply directly to employers if you've got relevant qualifications and experience in electrical, electro-mechanical or building services engineering.

Other routes

You can do training in lift engineering technology through the Lift and Escalator Industry Association.

More information

Further information

You can get more details on careers in maintenance engineering from the Lift and Escalator Industry Association and Tomorrow's Engineers.

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You could move into supervisory management, technical sales or wider building services engineering.

You could also use your skills to work in other industries, like manufacturing, engineering construction or safety inspection, either employed by a company or as a freelance contractor.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • the ability to repair machines or systems
  • knowledge of building and construction
  • problem-solving skills
  • customer service skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • persistence and determination
  • the ability to work on your own
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
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