Telecoms engineer
Career outlook for telecoms engineer
UK Salary Ranges
Entry-level
£24,000
£24,000
Experienced
£40,000
£40,000
Currently employed in Scotland
5,400
Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would set up and look after broadband, mobile phone and landline telephone networks. You would also work on satellite, digital TV and fibre optic systems.
You would work with systems such as:
- Landline and mobile phone networks
- Copper wire and fibre-optic cabling
- VoIP communication systems
- Analogue and digital satellite systems
- Wireless internet
The size of each job would vary. You might set up a large corporate network one day and a home satellite system the next.
You would:
- Lay, connect and test underground and underfloor cabling
- Test and fix faults in public and private switching exchanges
- Work with aerial rigging and related equipment
- Set up antennae on buildings or masts
- Design, build and test telecommunications components and equipment
This job can be dangerous, and you may sometimes have to work at heights. You would have to follow health and safety guidelines carefully at all times.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
Travel
UK employment status
Full-time
91%
Part-time
2%
Self employed
6%
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Find a jobTop skills
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- Cooperating
- Verbal communication
- Working with technology
- Resourceful
- Problem solving
- Attention to detail
- Developing a plan
- Taking responsibility
- Analysing
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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.
Qualifications
There are different routes into this role:
- A Modern Apprenticeship leading to a relevant Scottish Vocational Qualifications in Telecommunications (SVQ level 3).
- A National Certificate (SCQF level 7), a National Qualification (SCQF level 7), a Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) in areas like Electronic Engineering or Computing Science.
Employers may ask for qualifications at SCQF levels 4 to 6, in particular for entry to a Modern Apprenticeship.
You can enter some National Certificate or National Qualification courses (SCQF 2-6) with no formal qualifications but most courses ask for National 4/5 qualifications (SCQF level 4/5).
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 (required by many courses and employers)
- English
- Technologies subjects such as ICT and Engineering Science
You will also need
You may need to pass colour vision tests.
You may need a driving licence for some jobs.
Helpful to have
Qualifications that show understanding and experience of information technology and engineering such as Skills for Work Engineering Skills (SCQF level 5).
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