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Computer service and repair technician
Hours
37-40 per week
Starting salary
£14,000 + per year
If you are keen on IT and enjoy fixing things, this job could be ideal for you.
You do not need formal qualifications if you have a good enough working knowledge of computer systems and software.
A computer service and repair technician will have good communication skills. They will also have good customer service skills. You’ll also need to be patient and have an organised approach.
WorkDesc
The work
As a computer service and repair technician you would install, maintain and repair computer systems and equipment.
You could work as a member of an IT support team in a large organisation, on commercial contracts for an IT servicing company, or as a field technician for a computer manufacturer. You might also run your own PC repair and upgrade business.
Your day-to-day tasks would include:
- installing new IT systems
- upgrading existing hardware and software
- visiting home users to set up their PCs or fix faulty equipment
- testing systems to make sure that they are working properly
- servicing printers, scanners and other office equipment (known as peripherals)
- preparing cost estimates for new installations
- carrying out routine administration, like organising staff rotas.
In a larger organisation, you may also be responsible for training staff to use equipment correctly and safely.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would normally work 37 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. You may need to do shift work if your employer offers out-of-hours technical cover.
As a field technician your job would involve travelling to visit clients on site. In an IT support department, you would be based at an office but would spend time with staff at their workstations.
IncomeDesc
Income
Starting salaries are between £14,000 and £17,000 a year.
Experienced staff can earn between £18,000 and £25,000 a year, and senior staff with management responsibility can earn up to £30,000 a year.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
You could start without formal qualifications if you have a good enough working knowledge of computer systems and software. However, you may improve your chances of finding work by taking a computer maintenance qualification at college, for example:
- BTEC National Certificate and Diploma for IT Practitioners (Systems Support) Level 3
- City & Guilds IT Practitioners Diploma Level 2
- OCR Certificate and Diploma for IT Practitioners levels 1 and 2
- CompTIA A+ Certification.
You may be able to start this job through an apprenticeship scheme with an IT company or a technical support team in a larger company. You will need to check which schemes are available in your area. For more information, visit the Apprenticeships website.
For more information about careers and qualifications in IT, see the e-skills UK website.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
It is essential that you continue to develop your knowledge and skills in order to keep up with changes in technology. You could do this by taking further qualifications, which include:
- City & Guilds Higher Professional Diploma for IT Practitioners (ICT Systems Support) Level 4
- Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
- British Computer Society (BCS) professional qualifications.
You can find more information about professional development options on the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) website.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To become a computer service and repair technician, you will need to have:
- a thorough knowledge of operating systems, hardware and commonly used software
- good communication and customer service skills
- excellent problem-solving skills
- a patient and organised approach
- the ability to meet deadlines
- a willingness to keep up to date with IT developments
- an awareness of electrical safety issues.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Microsoft UK 
www.microsoft.com/uk
Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA)
www.sfia.org.uk
UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (UKRC)
Listerhills Park of Science and Commerce
40-42 Campus Road
Bradford
BD7 1HR
Tel: 01274 436485
www.theukrc.org
British Computer Society
Block D
North Star House
North Star Avenue
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN2 1FA
www.bcs.org.uk
Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)
www.comptia.org
e-skills UK
1 Castle Lane
London
SW1E 6DR
0207 963 8920
www.e-skills.com
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
Employers include the civil service, the NHS, businesses and organisations, schools and colleges, contact centres and IT manufacturers. You may also find jobs with IT support contractors.
With experience, you could become a senior technician within a department.
Another option is to set up your own company, supporting small to medium-sized businesses or providing services to people in their homes.
You could also use your IT skills to move into helpdesk support, network engineering, IT security, database administration, training or technical sales.
You may find the following useful for vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
LMIData
Related industry information
Industry summary
The IT industry includes people in IT companies, such as those offering IT services, technology‐orientated consulting, technology development, systems analysis, programming, systems testing and technology sales. It also includes IT professionals working in other sectors, such as people whose primary job role is IT orientated, which includes IT departments and IT support staff in companies. The IT industry together with Telecoms is represented by e‐skills UK Sector Skills Council.
A sector trend is the convergence of telecommunications, computing and networking and the move from hardware intensive to software intensive platforms. Embedded voice communications capability is already part of the internet, which also has to manage voice, data and video and location information.
The social, economic and market forces shaping UK IT skills are evolving as technology continues to progress from the back office to the board room. This is changing the market for IT skills, creating demand for both technology‐oriented business people and business‐oriented technologists – and blurring the lines between traditional business and IT disciplines.
Key facts:
- There is a total IT and Telecoms workforce of 1.5 million of which:
- 890,000 people are in IT and Telecoms products and services
- 600,000 IT and Telecoms professionals are working in organisations outside of the IT and Telecoms industries
- There are around 105,000 businesses in the UK offering IT and Telecoms products and services.
- IT‐intensive sectors represent 55% of the UK's total Gross Value Added.
- Less than 1% of those employed in IT and Telecoms occupations are under 18.
- 22% of companies who are trying to recruit IT and Telecoms professionals report difficulties in attracting applicants with the right skills.
- 58% of the workforce has a degree or higher education qualification.
- The IT industry is predicted to grow at a rate of 2.5% per year for the next ten years.
- There are 100,930 IT manufacturing and services establishments in the UK employing 600,000 people.
- The IT workforce accounts for 4% of the UK workforce.
Jobs in the IT industry include: Business analyst; Games developer; CAD/CAM Programmer/Trainer; IT trainer; Service technician; Software engineer/architect; Technology consultant; Web designer; Systems architect; Technical author.
National and regional data
Across the UK, there is an estimated IT and Telecoms workforce of 1.5 million who are predominately located in London and the South East. The IT workforce can be classified in IT manufacturing and IT services. The largest number of companies is located in:
- IT manufacturing
- South East
- London
- East of England
- IT services
- South East
- London
- East of England
Key regional facts:
- 39% of IT and Telecoms professionals are located in London and the South East
- the East of England has the third highest number of IT and Telecoms employees
- Northern Ireland, Wales and the North East combined comprise just 6% of the IT and Telecoms professionals
- 44% of all types of IT and Telecoms companies are located in London and the South East
- the highest median gross weekly earnings for IT and Telecoms staff are in London, the South East and the East of England, which are all above the UK median
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey (April‐June), 2009.]
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