Building Services Engineer
What is the work like?
Building services engineers design, install and maintain the essential services and equipment found in apartment blocks and commercial premises, including:
- water, gas and electricity supplies
- lighting, heating and air-conditioning
- telecommunications
- security systems
- lifts and escalators.
Some of your main duties as a building services engineer would include:
- drawing up installation plans using computer aided design (CAD) software
- coordinating the work of technicians and craftspeople on site
- testing and checking installations and analysing the results to make improvements
- making sure jobs meet Building Regulations, and health and safety requirements
- attending meetings and presenting ideas and progress reports to managers and clients
- overseeing inspection and maintenance programmes
- meeting with building supplies manufacturers to keep up to date with new product developments.
You could also work in related areas, such as estimating, buying or project management. An increasingly important part of your work would be to assess the energy efficiency and environmental impact of buildings.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
Technician level
One way to qualify as an engineer is to train as a technician on engineering Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
Alternatively, you could take a college qualification, which would give you some of the skills and knowledge needed for this work. Courses include the Edexcel (BTEC) National Certificates and Diplomas in:
- Building Services Engineering
- Operations and Maintenance Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering.
You would need to check with colleges for their exact course entry requirements.
Once you have reached technician level, you could continue your training on the job and work your up to become an engineer.
Engineer level
If you take a higher-level college course, you may be able to join a company as a trainee engineer. You would normally need a foundation degree, BTEC HNC/HND, degree or postgraduate award in building services engineering or a related engineering subject.
You can find more details about this career, and information on qualifications and training providers on the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers' (CIBSE) and SummitSkills websites.
See the Women into Science, Engineering and Construction website for more information about engineering as a career. The Engineering Training Council (Northern Ireland) also has careers information and a course database for colleges in that area.
What further training and development can I do?
If you have a degree qualification, your company may place you on a graduate apprenticeship scheme. There are also other on-the-job qualifications you could work towards, such as the NVQ in Building Services Engineering Technology, and Project Management at levels 3 and 4.
These NVQs contain options covering:
- site management
- mechanical and electrotechnical services
- contract management
- cost control
- project planning and design.
Gaining incorporated or chartered status
You could help your career development by working towards incorporated or chartered status. To do this, you should register with your professional industry body and apply to the Engineering Council.
As an incorporated engineer, you would specialise in the day-to-day management of engineering operations. At chartered level, you would have a more strategic role, planning, researching and developing new ideas, and streamlining management methods.
Where can I go for more information?
Tel: 08000 688336Weston House
246 High Holborn
London
WC1B 7EX
Tel: 020 3206 0408
Balham
London
SW12 9BS
Tel: 020 8675 5211
20-24 York Street
Belfast
BT15 1AQ
Tel: 028 9032 9878
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries for engineers are between £19,500 and £23,000.
- Experienced engineers earn between £24,000 and £35,000.
- Senior engineers can earn up to £45,000.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would work 35 to 40 hours a week. Extra hours may be required to meet deadlines and you may have on-call duties.
You would split your time between office work and site visits.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- excellent engineering, IT and design skills
- the ability to analyse problems and assess solutions
- the ability to picture and explain design ideas
- strong decision-making skills
- excellent communication skills
- the ability to categorise, prioritise and plan effectively
- good budgeting skills
- excellent people, leadership and teamworking skills
- a comprehensive understanding of Building Regulations and other relevant legislation.
What opportunities are there?
You could find work with a wide range of organisations, including design consultancy firms, major building contractors, building services contractors and equipment manufacturers. You could also find jobs with local authorities, educational institutions and NHS trusts, who often have their own in-house teams of building services engineers.
Your promotion options usually involve taking up jobs with increased management responsibility, for example, senior project manager or facilities manager. If you are an experienced engineer, you could become self-employed and work on a consultancy or sub-contact basis.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in new window)
Building Services Journal
Engineering Jobs Network
Hays Specialist Recruitment
The Engineer Online
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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