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Civil engineering technician Green Job

Civil engineering technicians give technical support to engineers on construction projects.

Annual Salary

£21,000 to £40,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

37 to 40 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends; flexibly

0.5%
Future employment

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

Day to day tasks

Depending on your specialist area you could:

  • use computer aided design (CAD) software to create drawings and models
  • arrange for soil and rock samples to be analysed
  • interpret technical information, prepare reports and do calculations
  • make sure work is carried out according to deadlines and budget
  • visit sites, assist with surveys and report on progress

Possible green job

This job could help the environment.

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

  • work on a renewable energy construction project, like a wind farm
  • follow environmental policies
  • use recycled and renewable materials

Find out more about green careers

Working environment

You may need to wear protective clothing.

You could work in an office or on a construction site.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.

You can get into this job through:

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

You could do a foundation degree or higher national diploma in civil engineering.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
  • university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
College

You could do a college course that would teach you some of the skills needed to become a civil engineering technician.

Relevant courses include:

  • civil engineering
  • construction and the built environment
  • T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

It might be useful to have some knowledge of computer-aided design (CAD) software like AutoCAD, PDS or Civil 3D. However, you'll usually learn how to use CAD software during your course.

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
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship

You could apply for an apprenticeship, such as:

  • Civil Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Civil Engineering Senior Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

These usually take 3 years to complete as a mix of learning at work and study.

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
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) for professional development opportunities.

Further information

You can find more advice about careers in civil engineering from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

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With experience, you could:manage a team of technicians; specialise in particular areas, like working on highways or in the rail or energy sector; become a freelance civil engineering technician

With further training and degree qualifications you could qualify as a civil engineer. Your employer might sponsor you to study part time.

How does this job help to address the impacts of climate change and protect wildlife and nature in the West of England?

Civil Engineering Technicians are needed to give technical support to engineers on the design, planning and development of new low carbon buildings and places, as well as working on new low carbon transport projects in the West of England region.

Examples of post-16 courses you could study at local schools or colleges

  • Physics, Maths A-levels
  • BTEC Level 3 Construction, Management and Built Environment at City of Bristol College
  • T-level Construction: Design, Surveying

Click here to find a local provider

Apprenticeships you may be able to take with local employers

  • Level 3 Civil Engineering Technician
  • Level 4 Civil Engineering Senior Technician

Click here to search for a local apprenticeship

Examples of post-18 courses you could study at local higher education providers

Click here to search for other university courses

For more information on the different routes you can take to get into working as a civil engineer, take a look at the 'Routes into this job' section above. 

Click here for an explanation of the different course and apprenticeship levels.

Local employers 

  • Turner and Townsend
  • Ove Arup and Partners 
  • WSP

For more local employment opportunities see the 'Live job vacancies by region' section above.

Click here for a profile of Helen Randell, Senior Civil and Structural Engineer at Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

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Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • maths knowledge
  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • design skills and knowledge
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • knowledge of building and construction
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
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