Telecommunications Technician

What is the work like?

Telecommunications technicians, often abbreviated to telecoms technician, plan and manage the installation, servicing and ongoing maintenance of telecommunication systems. These include fixed and mobile telephone networks, cable, satellite and digital television networks, computer networks and security intruder alarms and systems.

Precise job roles vary, but typical duties may include:

• testing and checking components in a factory or production laboratory
• assembling telecommunications equipment or systems, either in a workshop or on site
• installing, testing, repairing and updating equipment in homes or installing networks in large businesses, public and private exchanges, switches and routers
• checking apparatus for faults and carrying out repairs
• laying and connecting underground fibre optic and copper cables or installing aerial rigging
• installing satellite and radio equipment and mounting antennae on buildings or masts
• assisting telecommunications engineers with the design and planning of telecommunications systems and layouts.

Technicians, when fitting equipment, route cables and power supplies, will usually follow technical drawings, cabling plans and circuit diagrams. In all instances, they need to ensure they bring to site all the necessary equipment and software to install and check everything is working correctly.

In the armed forces and the police and emergency services, telecommunications technicians also maintain and repair portable and fixed transmitters.

Hours and environment

Most technicians usually work Monday to Friday. Some may work weekend and evening shifts covering off-peak hours to respond to emergencies. Overtime may be available to meet specific deadlines. Part-time opportunities are rare.

Technicians could work indoors on a factory production line or in customers' homes and business premises, or outdoors on industrial and commercial sites. Technicians installing equipment will, in most cases, travel around to exchanges, business premises, people's homes and buildings under construction. They often cover a set geographic area.

Some tasks can be physically demanding, involving lifting, carrying and possibly working at heights or in confined spaces. Technicians will usually wear personal protective clothing or a uniform. A driving licence is useful.

Salary and other benefits

These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.

• Starting salaries for apprentice technicians can range from £12,000 to £18,000 a year.
• With experience, qualified technicians may earn between £18,000 and £25,000 a year.
• Technicians with managerial and design duties may earn £30,000 or more a year.

Additional payments may be available for working shifts and overtime. Rates for contract work are higher.

Skills and personal qualities

Telecommunications technicians should be:

• attentive to detail
• methodical
• good at logically solving problems
• good communicators, able to clearly explain technical information
• able to read technical drawings, cabling plans, schemes and basic circuit diagrams
• willing to learn new skills and stay up to date with technological developments
• good working in a team as well as on their own initiative
• focused on delivering a good customer service
• technically and practically minded
• reasonably fit and comfortable working at heights (for some jobs)
• fully aware of health and safety requirements.

Interests

It helps to have an interest in:

• maths, electronics and IT
• information and communications technology.

Getting in

New telecoms technologies are constantly being explored and developed. With the merging of data (IT) and telecommunications systems, demand is increasing for technicians who have skills in both fields, especially wireless broadband technologies.

Around 55,000 people work as telecommunications technicians and engineers in the UK. Employers include telephone and business network providers, mobile phone companies and cable, digital and satellite TV companies. Some work for the Ministry of Defence or for the police and the other emergency services. There are also jobs in railway signalling engineering.

Normal colour vision is required, because technicians work with coloured wiring.

Tabloid newspapers carry regular adverts in their jobs sections. Vacancies may also appear in local newspapers, Connexions centres and JobCentre Plus offices. A number of recruitment websites also specialise in telecommunications jobs. Websites like www.justengineers.net and www.ukjobsnet.com/engineering-jobs have job sections specific to telecommunications.

Entry routes

There are various routes into becoming a telecommunications technician. Many complete an Apprenticeship with an electronics, telecommunications or IT company.

To qualify for the IT and Telecoms Professionals Advanced Apprenticeship, applicants usually need four GCSEs (A*-C), including maths, English and science or technology, or a relevant BTEC First Diploma.

Entrants with A levels (usually including maths and/or science subjects) or equivalent qualifications (including an Advanced Apprenticeship), can apply for a Higher Apprenticeship. These are fast-track Apprenticeships, incorporating a foundation degree, with possible progression to an honours degree.

Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships provide structured training with an employer and, from August 2009, pay at least £95 per week. A recent survey found that the average wage for apprentices was £170 a week. Entry to Employment (e2e) can help to prepare those who are not yet ready for an Apprenticeship. In addition, Young Apprenticeships may be available for 14- to 16-year-olds. More information is available on the Apprenticeship page on this website, from a Connexions personal adviser or at www.apprenticeships.org.uk.

Alternatively, entrants may secure a trainee position with an installation company with prior experience and/or qualifications in electronic or electrical engineering, or servicing.

Subjects that might be useful for direct entry can include telecommunications, telecommunications technology, communications technology, electronics, computing and computing sciences. Qualifications available include BTEC National and Higher Certificates and Diplomas, foundation degrees and degrees. There are usually full- and part-time study options.

As a guide, minimum requirements for entry onto a foundation degree or Higher National Diploma course are normally one A level and three to four GCSEs (A*-C), or equivalent; for a degree course, the minimum requirements are normally two A levels and five GCSEs (A*-C) or equivalent, usually to include English and maths.

The Diploma in information technology or engineering might also provide good preparation for this career.

City & Guilds qualifications are also available, including:

• Level 2 Certificate in Communications Cabling (3666), which covers fibre optics and copper cabling and is endorsed by the Fibreoptic Industry Association (FIA)
• Level 3 Diploma in ICT Communications Systems (3662).

Training

Apprenticeships usually last up to around two years, and apprentices complete a mix of on-the-job training complemented by qualifications. A wide number are available in the IT/telecoms sector, and employers may select qualifications most relevant to their trainees' job and entry level, but which could include:

• NVQ Level 2 for communication technology practitioners
• NVQ Level 3 for communication technology professionals
• NVQ Level 2 in engineering maintenance and installation
• NVQ Level 3 in engineering maintenance
• NVQ Level 2 in installing structured cabling systems
• NVQ Level 3 Diploma in eletrotechnical services or Level 3 Diploma in requirements for electrical installations
• BTEC Level 3 National Award/Certificate and Diploma in communications technology.

Numerous other relevant BTEC HNC/HND qualifications in electrical or electronic engineering and foundation degrees, HNCs/HNDs and degree courses in telecommunications, data communications and digital communications are available.

Technicians working in cabling design and installation could take qualifications offered by the Fibreoptic Industry Association (FIA).

In-service training is often complemented by specific manufacturer and vendor courses, such as networking qualifications offered by CISCO and Microsoft. Mentoring schemes are also organised by the professional bodies, enabling trainees to seek advice from more experienced colleagues.

Technicians who achieve a relevant Level 3 qualification can apply for registration as a professionally recognised Engineering Technician (EngTech) or Information and Communications Technology Technician (ICTTech). More details are available from The Engineering Council.

Getting on

Technicians working for larger companies may be able to progress to senior technician or supervisory positions. With experience, it is also possible to progress to telecommunications engineer, where duties would include network planning and design, research and development of new products and project management.

It is possible for experienced technicians to become self-employed, or work on a contract basis. There are numerous opportunities to work right across the world.

Further information

The Engineering Council, 246 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EX. 020 3206 0500. Website: www.engc.org.uk

e-skills UK, 1 Castle Lane, London SW1E 6DR. 020 7963 8920. Website: www.e-skills.com/careers

Fibreoptic Industry Association (FIA). Website: www.fia-online.co.uk

The Institute of Telecommunications Professionals (ITP), Sunbury TE, Green Street, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex TW16 6QJ. 01932 788861. Website: www.theitp.org

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), Michael Faraday House, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2AY. 01438 313 311. Website: www.theiet.org

Women into Science, Engineering and Construction (WISE), 2nd floor Weston House, 246 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EX. 020 3206 0408. Website: www.wisecampaign.org.uk

Further reading

Real Life Guides - Engineering Technician - Trotman

Working in science - VT Lifeskills

Magazines/journals

E&T (Engineering & Technology) - IET

The Journal - ITP

TotalTelecom - www.totaltele.com

(Some may be priced)

February 2010

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