Career outlook for
Figures and forecasts for roles at the same level, which require similar skills and qualifications.
Average UK salary
£35,360
Currently employed in Scotland
18,300
Five year job forecast
-6.02%
"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures.
What's it like?
You would look after and fix electrical and mechanical equipment used in industry, from factories and power stations to aircraft and escalators.
You would follow manufacturer's technical manuals and use testing instruments and tools to help locate faults.
You’d need to understand engineering drawings and be aware of health and safety legislation.
You could work on:
- Machinery used on production lines in factories
- Laboratory equipment in hospitals or used to manufacture drugs and medicines
- Machines and equipment used on railways and roads
- Civil or military aircraft
- Equipment and facilities for generating power including hydro-electric, wind turbines, solar and marine energy technology, fossil fuel and nuclear power stations
- Lifts, escalators, walkways and airport skytrains
If you work in preventative (planned) maintenance you would:
- Organise schedules for routine servicing
- Allocate work to a team of fitters
- Check and calibrate instruments to make sure they are accurate
- Fit new parts as required or as part of a regular replacement rota
- Inspect the quality of maintenance work
In emergency maintenance you would respond immediately when equipment breaks down.
You’d fix the problem there and then or, if necessary, arrange for the equipment to be replaced. You’d also explain the problem to production managers and tell them how the repairs are progressing.
You’d organise your team to make sure that they can respond to breakdowns at any time of day or night.
Working conditions
Hours
UK employment status
Full-time
87%
Part-time
3%
Self employed
9%
Create a qualification route
We’ve found some examples of the qualifications that could help you get this job.
Discover my routeTop skills
Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.
- Adaptability
- Verbal communication
- Working with technology
- Resourceful
- Problem solving
- Attention to detail
- Recalling
- Understanding
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Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you’ll need.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.
Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
Qualifications
You would need a Modern Apprenticeship leading to a relevant Scottish Vocational Qualifications such as Electrical Installation (SVQ level 3) or Process Engineering Maintenance (SVQ level 3).
Or a Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) in areas like:
- Mechanical engineering
- Electrical and Electronic engineering technologies
- Maintenance engineering technologies
- Engineering
Some employers may ask for qualifications at SCQF level 4/5, in particular for entry to a Modern Apprenticeship.
You can enter Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.
Useful subjects
- Maths (required by many courses and employers)
- Science subjects, in particular physics, (required by many courses and employers)
- English
- Technologies subjects, such as engineering science
Helpful to have
Qualifications that show understanding and experience of the industry such as Skills for Work Engineering Skills (SCFQ level 4).
Once in a job you may be able to work part-time towards higher level qualifications such as a degree (SCFQ level 9/10).
It is also helpful to register with the Engineering Council to gain EngTech status.
Related industries
