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Telecoms technician
Hours
30-40 per week
Starting salary
£12,000 + per year
WorkDesc
The work
As a telecommunications technician you would install, test and repair communications and datacommunications systems, such as:
- fixed-line and mobile telephony networks
- copper wire and fibre-optic cabling
- analogue and digital satellite systems
- wireless radio networks providing internet access via PCs, mobile phones and PDAs.
Your work could vary in scale from setting up a communications network within a large organisation, to the installation of a home satellite system. Your work could involve:
- laying, connecting and testing underground and underfloor cabling
- testing and repairing faults in public and private switching exchanges
- working with aerial rigging and related equipment
- installing mobile and static antennae on buildings or masts
- designing, building and testing telecommunications components and equipment.
To find out more about satellite installation, see the job profile for Satellite Systems Technician.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would normally work from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You may also have on-call duties to cover off-peak hours and emergencies.
Your work could be inside on production lines and on customers' premises, or outdoors on a site. Some tasks involve working at heights.
IncomeDesc
Income
- Starting salaries can be between £12,000 and £15,000 a year.
- With experience and qualifications, this can rise to between £18,000 and £25,000.
- Technicians with planning, design or managerial duties can earn over £30,000.
Earnings may increase with shift allowances and overtime.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
There are various ways to become a telecommunications technician. You may be able to complete an Apprenticeship with an electronics, telecommunications or IT company. 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 about Apprenticeships, visit the Apprenticeships website.
Alternatively, you may get a trainee position with an installation company if you already have experience and/or qualifications in electronic or electrical engineering, or servicing. You could take a college course to gain qualifications in these areas, such as:
- BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in Communications Technology
- City & Guilds (3666) Communications Cabling award (covers copper and fibre optics cabling)
- City & Guilds (3662) Diploma in ICT Communications Systems.
See the e-skills website for general information about careers in the telecommunications industry.
As you could be travelling from job to job, you may need a driving licence. You will also be expected to have normal colour vision.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
You would normally receive training from your employer. You may also be able to work towards one of the following qualifications:
- NVQ Level 3 in Engineering Maintenance (Communication Electronics)
- BTEC HNC/HND in Electrical or Electronic Engineering (Communication)
- foundation degrees, HNCs/HNDs and degree courses in telecommunications, data communications and digital communications.
With a level 3 NVQ, you could improve your career prospects by registering as an Engineering Technician (EngTech). See the Engineering Council website for more details.
If you are working in cabling design and installation, you could take qualifications offered by the Fibreoptic Industry Association (FIA). See the FIA website for more details.
Further professional development training is available through the Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI). Their courses are widely recognised within the national and international telecoms sector. The introductory levels are open to anyone looking to get into the industry. See the BICSI website for more details.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
- a methodical approach and attention to detail
- good problem-solving skills
- technical and practical skills
- good communication skills to explain technical matters clearly
- the ability to read technical drawings, cabling plans and circuit diagrams
- a willingness to keep up to date with new developments in technology
- good customer care skills
- the ability to work alone or as part of a team
- a reasonable level of fitness
- a knowledge of health and safety issues
- normal colour vision to work with electrical wiring.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
e-skills UK 
1 Castle Lane
London
SW1E 6DR
0207 963 8920
www.e-skills.com
Fibre Optic Industry Association
www.fia-online.co.uk
Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI)
http://bicsieurope.org/
Tomorrow's Engineers
EngineeringUK
Weston House
246 High Holborn
London
WC1V 7EX
Email: careers@engineeringuk.com
Tel: 020 3206 0400
www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
With the merging of data (IT) and telecommunications systems, demand is increasing for technicians who have skills in both fields, especially wireless broadband technologies.
Typical employers include telephone and broadband network providers, mobile phone operators, cable, satellite and digital TV companies, rail signal engineering and power transmission companies. There may also be opportunities with the Ministry of Defence, the armed forces, and the police and emergency services.
With experience, you could progress to network planning and design, research and development of new products and project management.
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 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.
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Related industry information
Industry summary
Telecoms include people working in this industry, as well as people working with specialist telecoms qualifications in other sectors. The IT industry together with Telecoms is represented by e‐skills UK Sector Skills Council. The Telecoms industry is difficult to separate from the IT sector, since many of the new technologies use broadband data networks carrying high volumes of multimedia traffic. Telecoms is defined here as ‘telecoms manufacturing’ and ‘telecoms services’.
The Telecoms sector is one of the fastest changing in the UK as new technologies are being explored and developed. Migration from voice telephony to broadband data networks carry high volumes of multimedia traffic, which means that boundaries between Telecoms and IT are blurring.
Job roles are diverse, ranging from sales and customer‐facing roles to those that are highly technical. Good communication and problem‐solving skills are required as well as specialised knowledge.
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.
- 51% of Telecoms professionals work outside of the industry.
- The Telecoms workforce accounts for 1% of the UK workforce.
- The workforce is predominately male working on a full‐time basis.
- 58% of the IT and Telecoms workforce has a degree or higher education qualification.
- The Telecoms industry is likely to grow at a rate of 0.3% per year, which is lower than the UK average growth rate of 0.5%.
- There are 8,530 telecoms manufacturing and services establishments in the UK employing 301,000 people, including 235,000 who are not Telecoms professionals.
Jobs in the Telecoms industry include: aerial rigging; equipment wirer and assembler; internal network construction; mobile switching engineer; network management; satellite communications; fibre optic installation and configuration; core access network technician; customer support; radio base station engineer; network planning.
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 Telecoms manufacturing and Telecoms services. The largest number of companies is located in:
- Telecoms manufacturing
- South East
- London
- South West
- East of England
- Telecoms services
- London
- South East
- East of England
- North West
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
- 38% of Telecoms manufacturing takes place in either London or the South East
- the South West and East account for just 11% each of Telecoms manufacturing
- 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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