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Electronics engineering technician

  • Hours

    40 per week

  • Starting salary

    £12,000 + per year



The work

As an electronics engineering technician you would design, build, test and repair the electronic components found in:

  • telecommunications – mobile phones, radio and TV
  • medical scientific instruments – clinical and laboratory apparatus
  • programmable control systems – manufacturing and industrial machinery
  • datacommunications – computers, PDAs and ATM machines
  • control systems - used in everything from satellites to cars.

Your work could involve:

  • designing printed circuit boards and wiring diagrams using computer-aided design (CAD) software
  • researching and developing new ideas and products
  • testing prototype products and analysing the results
  • building and installing electronic control systems used in computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
  • inspecting and calibrating instruments for quality control purposes
  • setting up maintenance schedules for industrial and commercial equipment
  • finding and fixing equipment faults.

You would work closely with a team of engineers, as well as craftspeople from different engineering fields.


Hours

You would normally work a 40-hour week. You may work on a shift system, with overtime and on-call duties.

You could be based in a factory, workshop or research facility.


Income

  • New entrants can earn between £12,000 and £17,000 a year.
  • With experience, this can rise to between £18,000 and £23,000.
  • Senior technicians may earn £30,000 or more a year.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.


Entry requirements

You could become an electronics engineering technician by completing an Apprenticeship in electronics, engineering, telecoms or IT. To get on to an Apprenticeship, you are likely to need four or five GCSEs (A-C), including Maths, English and a science subject. You would also need normal colour vision.

The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more, visit the Apprenticeships website.

Alternatively, you could take a college course, which would teach you some of the skills needed. Relevant college courses include BTEC Certificates and Diplomas in:

  • Electronic Engineering
  • Operations and Maintenance Engineering
  • Manufacturing Engineering.

You could also take the City & Guilds Progression Award in Electrical Electronics Servicing at level 2, or the EAL Certificate or Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology.

See the Institution of Engineering and Technology and SEMTA websites for more information about electronic engineering as a career.

For more general information about engineering as a career, see the Tomorrow’s Engineers website.


Training and development

Once you are working, you could take various NVQ qualifications, depending on your job role, including:

  • Electrical and Electronic Servicing levels 2 and 3
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering Level 3
  • Engineering Maintenance and Installation (Electronic Maintenance) Level 2
  • Process Engineering Maintenance (Instrument and Control) levels 2 and 3
  • Performing Engineering Operations levels 1 and 2.

With a level 3 NVQ or equivalent, you could improve your career prospects by registering as an engineering technician (EngTech). See the Engineering Council website for more details.

You could also work towards fully qualifying as an electronics engineer, by studying part-time for a BTEC HNC/HND in Electronic Engineering. Degree courses in electronics are also widely available, often giving the option to combine study in a related area, such as telecommunications, robotics, control systems, computing or medical instruments.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) website has more details of UK colleges and universities offering these higher-level courses.


Skills and knowledge

To be an electronics engineering technician you should have:

  • a flair for maths, science and technology
  • practical skills
  • good communication skills
  • IT skills
  • the ability to understand engineering drawings and principles
  • a willingness to keep up to date with new developments
  • excellent problem-solving skills
  • ability to work as part of a team and unsupervised
  • an awareness of electrical health and safety issues
  • normal colour vision.

More information

SEMTA (Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies in the UK) (Opens new window)
14 Upton Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0JT
Tel: 0845 643 9001
www.semta.org.uk

Tomorrow's Engineers (Opens new window)
EngineeringUK
Weston House
246 High Holborn
London
WC1V 7EX
Email: careers@engineeringuk.com
Tel: 020 3206 0400
www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk

Women into Science, Engineering and Construction (Opens new window)
Athlone Wing
Old Building
Great Horton Road
Bradford
BD7 1AY
Tel: 01274 436485
www.theukrc.org/wise

Engineering Training Council (Northern Ireland) (Opens new window)
Interpoint
20-24 York Street
Belfast
BT15 1AQ
Tel: 028 9032 9878
www.etcni.org.uk

Institution of Engineering and Technology (Opens new window)
Michael Faraday House
Stevenage
Hertfordshire
SG1 2AY
Tel: 01438 313 311
www.theiet.org


Opportunities

You will have an advantage when looking for work if you have skills in IT and electronics, due to the merging of data and telecommunications technologies.

Typical employers include local and central government departments, the armed services, manufacturers in all industries, research and development companies, IT companies, and public utilities such as water, gas and electricity.

With experience, you could become a project team leader, maintenance or quality control manager, or work towards qualifying as an electronics engineer. You may also find opportunities in related areas, such as electrical or telecommunications engineering.

You may find the following useful for job 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 (Opens in a new window) 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.


Related industry information

Industry summary

The electronics and electrical equipment manufacturing industry is part of the engineering manufacturing, science and mathematics sector, represented by Semta Sector Skills Council. This sector also includes the following industries: automotive manufacture; mechanical equipment manufacture; metals; transport equipment manufacture, including marine and aerospace; and science. Across the sector as a whole, the workforce comprises approximately 2 million people, working across around 75,000 companies. UK engineering and science turnover is over £250 billion. British engineering exports amount to 37% of total UK exports of goods and services. The UK is Europe’s top location for investment in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research and development.

The UK electronics and electrical equipment manufacturing industry covers:

  • Electronics: one of the principal branches of electrical engineering and electronics companies include those that are involved in the business of creating, designing, producing and selling electronic systems, components and equipment (such as semi‐conductors), communications technology, consumer electronics, computers and other IT equipment. The UK electronics industry is worth approximately £23 billion a year and is now the fifth largest in the world in terms of production.
  • Electrical equipment manufacture: companies are involved in the manufacture, design and development of electrical equipment. This includes: electric motors, generators and transformers; electricity distribution and control apparatus, insulated wire and cable; office machinery; photocopiers, cash registers and computer equipment; and television and radio receivers, sound or video recording equipment.

The electronics and electrical equipment industry is extremely fast moving and competitive. Research and development of new products and then getting them quickly into the markets is key to the success of many manufacturers.

Key facts:

  • In electronics, there are an estimated 185,600 people employed, across 10,800 workplaces in Great Britain.
  • 91% of all UK electronics employers employ less than 50 people and only 2% employ 200 people or more.
  • The greatest concentrations of employment in the electronics industry are in the South East, East of England, Scotland and the South West.
  • In electrical equipment, there are an estimated 108,800 people employed, in over 5,600 workplaces.
  • In the electrical equipment industry, the greatest concentrations of employment are in the South East and the West Midlands.
  • 91% of the electronics workforce and 92% of the electrical equipment workforce are full‐time.
  • In engineering, an estimated 6% of the workforce is self‐employed.

Jobs in the industry range from: manufacturing production manager, design engineer, electronics engineer, mechanical engineer, production engineer, quality control inspector, engineering maintenance technician, laboratory technician, assembler, labourers in process and plant operations.


National and regional data

East Midlands – There are an estimated 10,700 people employed in just over 710 electronics companies and 10,500 people in just over 500 electrical equipment manufacture companies in the region. There is a total requirement of 4,680 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: assembly line/production robotics; Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); and sign making. 62% of the workforce is employed as assemblers (electrical goods). Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Derby City, Leicester City, South Derbyshire, Charnwood, Hinckley and Bosworth and Ashfield.

East of England – There are an estimated 26,300 people employed in just over 1,430 electronics companies and 10,100 people in just under 710 electrical equipment manufacture companies in the region. There is a total requirement of 11,220 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Computer Aided Design (CAD); general engineering skills; Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM); Computer Aided Engineering (CME); assembly line/production robotics; craft skills; general machining; and sign making. 66% of the workforce is employed as assemblers (electrical goods). There are above average concentrations of employment in the electronics and mechanical equipment industries. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Peterborough, Huntingdonshire, South Cambridgeshire, Luton and Basildon.

London – There are an estimated 8,700 people employed in just over 1,210 electronics companies and 4,600 people in just over 480 electrical equipment manufacture companies in the region. There is a total requirement of 2,120 employees needed in the region between 2005 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Computer Aided Design (CAD); Computer Aided Engineering (CME); Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); welding skills; electronics; and general machining. 59% of the workforce is employed as assemblers (electrical products). Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Barking and Dagenham, Hillingdon, Ealing and Hounslow.

North East – There are an estimated 3,800 people employed in just under 260 electronics companies and 6,400 people in just under 190 electrical equipment manufacture companies in the region. There is a total requirement of 2,360 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM); Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); manufacturing; sign making; and radio frequency engineering. 76% of the workforce is employed as assemblers (electrical products). There are above average concentrations of employment in the automotive and electronics industries. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, Sunderland and Sedgefield.

North West – There are an estimated 13,300 people employed in 1,000 electronics companies and 11,900 people in 620 electrical equipment manufacture companies in the region. There is a total requirement of 8,870 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: electronics; Computer Aided Design (CAD); Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM); and CNC machine operation. 66% of the workforce is employed as assemblers (electrical products). Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Fylde, Knowsley, Crewe and Nantwich, Stockport, Oldham and Preston.

South East – There are an estimated 44,800 people employed in 2,170 electronics companies and 17,700 people in 1,010 electrical equipment manufacture companies in the region. There is a total requirement of 7,800 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Computer Aided Design (CAD); CNC machine operation; general engineering skills; Computer Aided Engineering (CME); assembly line/production robotics; welding skills; electronics; and software engineering. 63% of the workforce is employed as assemblers (electrical products). There are above average concentrations of employment in the electronics and electrical industry. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around West Berkshire, Basingstoke and Deane, Milton Keynes, Eastleigh, Portsmouth, Crawley and Medway.

South West – There are an estimated 21,000 people employed in 965 electronics companies and 11,700 people in 525 electrical equipment manufacture companies in the region. There is a total requirement of 4,960 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Computer Aided Design (CAD); Computer Aided Engineering (CME); assembly line/production robotics; CNC machine operation; tool setting; and mechanical engineering. 66% of the workforce is employed as assemblers (electrical products). Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Tewkesbury, Cheltenham, Stroud, South Gloucestershire, Bristol, Swindon, South Somerset, Poole and Plymouth.

West Midlands – There are an estimated 15,200 people employed in just under 900 electronics companies and 11,200 people in just under 615 electrical equipment manufacture companies in the region. There is a total requirement of 2,580 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: electronics; electrical engineering; Computer Aided Engineering (CME); CNC machine operation; general engineering skills; and metal workers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Birmingham, Sandwell, Walsall, Coventry, Dudley and Telford and Wrekin.

Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 9,600 people employed in just over 720 electronics companies and 10,500 people in just over 440 electrical equipment manufacture companies in the region. There is a total requirement of 6,130 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Computer Aided Design (CAD); assembly line/production robotics; Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM); Computer Aided Engineering (CME); Materials Requirement Planning (MRP); Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); Statistical Process Control (SPC); craft skills; fabrication; manufacturing; and radio frequency engineering. 64% of the workforce is employed as assemblers (electrical products). Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford, Kirklees, Rotherham and Kingston upon Hull.

Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 5,600 people employed in electronics and 3,400 people in electrical equipment manufacture. There is a total requirement of 340 employees needed in the region per year between 2005 and 2014. The largest industries in terms of employment are the electrical equipment manufacture and electronics industry and the metals industry. Skills gaps include: welding; CNC machine operations; mechanical engineering skills; metalworking; and electrical engineering skills.

Scotland – There are an estimated 21,900 people employed in 590 electronics companies and 6,400 people in just over 280 electrical equipment manufacture companies. There is a total requirement of 1,190 employees needed in the region between 2005 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: electrical engineering; Computer Aided Design (CAD); Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM); Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); CNC machine operation; mechanical engineering; and sign making. 73% of the workforce is employed as assemblers (electrical products). There are particular concentrations of employment in the marine and electronics industries. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around the City of Glasgow, Fife, South Lanarkshire, the City of Aberdeen, North Lanarkshire and West Lothian.

Wales – There are an estimated 10,300 people employed in 410 electronics companies and 7,800 people in 200 electrical equipment manufacture companies. There is a total requirement of 4,380 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Computer Aided Design (CAD); Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); CNC machine operation; electronics; and electrical engineering. 74% of the workforce is employed as assemblers (electrical products). Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Flintshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Rhondda, Cynon and Taff, Bridgend and Wrexham.

[N.B. Data derived from Annual Business Inquiry, 2007, Census, 2001, and Northern Ireland Census of Employment, 2007.]


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