Building Technician

Job Description:

Building technicians support engineers, surveyors and architects on construction projects.

Job Category:
Energy & Utilities

What you will do:

You could:

  • estimate construction costs to support bids for new work projects
  • negotiate materials, equipment and labour costs with suppliers
  • check supplier quality
  • help to plan the methods used in each construction stage
  • draft construction plans and blueprints using CAD software
  • monitor build progress against completion dates
  • give update reports at progress meetings
  • prepare construction sites before work begins
  • supervise teams of contractors (leadership skills)

Skills:

You’ll need:

knowledge of building and construction

  • maths knowledge
  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

As well as;

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • analytical thinking skills
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • organisational skills
Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship

University
You could take a foundation degree or higher national diploma in:

  • construction
  • the built environment
  • surveying
  • civil engineering

Courses that give you the opportunity to gain work experience through internships, placements or a year in industry may give you an advantage.

College
You can do a college course, which may help you to get a job as a trainee technician.

UK Courses include:

  • Level 3 Diploma in Civil Engineering
  • Level 3 Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment
  • T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

Apprenticeship
The following apprenticeships may be relevant to this role:

  • surveying technician advanced apprenticeship
  • construction support technician advanced apprenticeship
  • building services engineering technician higher apprenticeship
  • construction design and build technician higher apprenticeship
  • construction site engineering technician higher apprenticeship

The exact apprenticeship you take will depend on the type of company, your job role and duties.

Registration
In the UK, you’ll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site. This may vary from country to country.

Working Hours and Environment:

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

Your working environment may be at height and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career Path & Progression:

With experience you could move into construction project management or specialise in estimating, CAD drafting or buying.

You could find work with:

  • national and international building firms and contractors
  • central and local government
  • organisations that do their own construction work, like utility companies, major retailers and hospitals