Education Technician
What is the work like?
Education technicians work in schools, colleges and universities. They support science, IT, and design and technology teachers by preparing equipment and materials and helping in practical lessons.
As an education technician your work would include:
- delivering, setting up and checking equipment
- supporting teaching staff and students during lessons
- putting away equipment after lessons
- organising and storing equipment and checking stock
- repairing, maintaining and modifying equipment where required
- administrative tasks.
Your exact duties and responsibilities would vary depending on where you work. In a primary school or the early years of secondary education you may be involved in preparing basic experiments. In colleges and universities you would help with more advanced work.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
Employers will usually expect you to have at least GCSEs (A-C) or equivalent qualifications in English, maths and at least one science subject. It is becoming increasingly common for technicians to have higher qualifications, so for some jobs you may need A levels or the equivalent in science, or a BTEC HNC/HND, foundation or degree in science or technological subjects.
It will be useful if you have experience of scientific techniques or of using IT in a technical setting.
As you will be working with children and young people, you will need CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) clearance.
You may be able to get into this job through an 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 about Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
What further training and development can I do?
Once you are working as an educational technician, you may be able to complete NVQ levels 1 to 4 in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities.
The NVQs correspond to the career structure recommended for science technicians by the Association for Science Education (ASE) which identifies these technician levels:
- assistant technician
- technician
- senior technician
- team leader technician.
You can check the skills you already have and identify your training needs with the self-assessment tool on the BECTA (British Educational Communications and Technology Agency) website.
Training and qualifications you could do include:
- Institute of Science Technology (IST) Certificate in Laboratory Technical Skills at levels 1 to 3
- IST Higher Diploma
- IST continuing professional development (CPD) scheme.
See the IST website for details.
You can also attend courses at any of the Science Learning Centres across England. There is also a national centre at the University of York, which provides residential courses. Visit the Science Learning Centres website for more details, including a database of centres and courses.
Where can I go for more information?
College LaneHatfield
Hertfordshire
AL10 9AA
Tel: 01707 283000
24 Dam Street
Lichfield
Staffordshire
WS13 6AB
Tel: 01543 266908
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?
- Full-time technicians can earn from £13,000 to £18,000 a year.
- Senior technicians can earn over £25,000.
As many education technicians are part-time and/or paid term-time only they would earn a portion of full-time rates (known as 'pro rata' payment).
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You will usually work 9am to 4pm if you are employed full-time. However, many jobs are part-time. You are likely to work in term-time only.
You would spend most of your time in laboratories, IT rooms and classrooms in schools, colleges or universities. You could work alone or in a small team.
You may have to move equipment between different floors or between sites.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- an interest, and ability, in science, IT or design and technology
- practical skills
- the ability use technical equipment
- flexibility and adaptability, as you are likely to be working for a number of people who may be working on different experiments/projects
- good communication skills
- the ability to work in a team, as well as independently.
What opportunities are there?
You could find work a school, college or university.
With experience you may be able to progress to senior technician or laboratory manager. Another option would be to train as a teacher.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and further reading (links open in new window):
LG Jobs
fejobs.com
eteach.com
thesjobs.co.uk.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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