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Chemical engineering technician Green Job

Chemical engineering technicians develop processes used in the manufacturing of medicines, food, textiles and fuels.

Annual Salary

£25,000 to £42,000

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

Working hours

37 to 42 a week

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

0.5%
Future employment

There will be 0.5% more Chemical engineering technician jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

As a chemical engineering technician, you could:

  • help to design, build or install production plant equipment
  • research new products and processes in the laboratory
  • monitor production processes and machinery
  • record data and make adjustments to instruments
  • follow safety procedures and regulations
  • carry out quality control checks

Possible green job

This job could help the environment.

For a chemical engineering technician to be a green job, you could:

  • develop alternative fuels like hydrogen to reduce reliance on petrochemicals
  • investigate ways to reduce waste plastic
  • research more efficient and sustainable ways to manufacture batteries

Find out more about green careers

Working environment

You may need to wear protective clothing.

You could work at a manufacturing plant, in an office or in a laboratory.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
University

You can do a foundation degree, higher national certificate or degree in:

  • chemistry
  • chemical sciences
  • chemical engineering
  • biochemical engineering

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including chemistry
For more information
College

You can take a college course before applying to a company for a trainee technician job.

Courses include:

  • applied science
  • chemistry
  • T Level in Science (laboratory sciences option)

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 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 apply for a place on an apprenticeship to get into this job. These include:

  • Laboratory Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Science Manufacturing Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Technician Scientist Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship

These can take between 2 and 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 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

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Institution of Chemical Engineers for professional development opportunities.

Further information

You can get more advice about careers in the chemicals industry from the Institution of Chemical Engineers.

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With experience, you could become a shift or lab supervisor in a production plant, eventually moving into management.

You could also work in:materials development and design; quality control; product sales and marketing

With further training, you could become a chemical engineer.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • maths knowledge
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • analytical thinking skills
  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
  • science skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
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