Civil engineering technician
Construction and Trades

Related videos on a civil engineering technician

How to become a civil engineering technician

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship

University

You can do a foundation degree or higher national diploma in civil engineering.

University (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

College

You can take a college course that would teach you some of the skills needed to become an engineering technician. Relevant courses include:

• Level 2 Certificate in Construction and the Built Environment
• Level 3 Diploma in Civil Engineering
• T level in Design, Surveying and Planning

Some knowledge of computer aided design (CAD) software would be useful, for example AutoCAD, PDS or Civil 3D, although courses will usually include options in CAD.

College (Entry requirements)

You may need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

Apprenticeship

You can complete a civil engineering technician advanced apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More info

Professional and industry bodies You can join the Institution of Civil Engineers for professional development opportunities. Further information You'll find more advice about careers in engineering from the Institution of Civil Engineers.

What it takes

Skills & Knowledge

You'll need:

• maths knowledge
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• design skills and knowledge
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of building and construction
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to use your initiative
• to be flexible and open to change
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you'll do

Day to day

Depending on your specialist area, your day-to-day duties may include:

• assisting with initial site surveys
• arranging lab analysis of soil, rock and materials samples
• creating engineering design plans, by hand or with computer aided design (CAD) software
• preparing estimates of labour costs, and the amounts and type of material
• drawing up timescales for the delivery of supplies, equipment and labour
• negotiating with suppliers to get value for money
• inspecting projects and supervising progress
• reporting problems to site managers and preparing reports for engineers

Working environment

You could work in an office or on a construction site. Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers. You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Career path & progression

With experience, you could progress to supervisory or site management roles, or specialise in particular areas of the job, like construction design or estimating.