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Telecoms technician Job Information | National Careers Service

Job profiles

Telecoms technician

Hours

30-40 per week

Starting salary

12,000 + per year

The work
As a telecommunications technician you would install, test and repair communications and datacommunications systems, such as: fixed-line and mobile telephony networks copper wire and fibre-optic cabling analogue and digital satellite systems wireless radio networks providing internet access via PCs, mobile phones and PDAs. Your work could vary in scale from setting up a communications network within a large organisation, to the installation of a home satellite system. Your work could involve: laying, connecting and testing underground and underfloor cabling testing and repairing faults in public and private switching exchanges working with aerial rigging and related equipment installing mobile and static antennae on buildings or masts designing, building and testing telecommunications components and equipment. To find out more about satellite installation, see the job profile for Satellite Systems Technician. Satellite Systems Technician

Hours
You would normally work from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You may also have on-call duties to cover off-peak hours and emergencies. Your work could be inside on production lines and on customers' premises, or outdoors on a site. Some tasks involve working at heights.

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Income
Starting salaries can be between 12,000 and 15,000 a year. With experience and qualifications, this can rise to between 18,000 and 25,000. Technicians with planning, design or managerial duties can earn over 30,000. Earnings may increase with shift allowances and overtime. Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements
There are various ways to become a telecommunications technician. You may be able to complete an Apprenticeship with an electronics, telecommunications or IT company. 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. To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit the Apprenticeships website. Apprenticeships Alternatively, you may get a trainee position with an installation company if you already have experience and/or qualifications in electronic or electrical engineering, or servicing. You could take a college course to gain qualifications in these areas, such as: Level 2 Award in Communications Cabling (covers copper and fibre optics cabling) Level 2 Certificate in ICT Systems and Principles Level 2 Certificate in Telecommunication Systems. See the e-skills website for general information about careers in the telecommunications industry. e-skills As you could be travelling from job to job, you may need a driving licence. You will also be expected to have colour-normal vision.

Training and development

You would normally receive training from your employer. You may also be able to work towards one of the following qualifications: Level 3 Diploma in Telecommunication Systems HNC/HND in Electrical or Electronic Engineering (Communication) foundation degree, HNC/HND or degree in telecommunications, data communications and digital communications. You could improve your career prospects by registering as an Engineering Technician (EngTech). See the Engineering Council website for more details. Engineering Council If you are working in cabling design and installation, you could take qualifications offered by the Fibreoptic Industry Association (FIA). See the FIA website for more details. Fibreoptic Industry Association Further professional development training is available through the Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI). Their courses are widely recognised within the national and international telecoms sector. The introductory levels are open to anyone looking to get into the industry. See the BICSI website for more details. Building Industry Consulting Service International

Skills, interests and qualities

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Telecoms technician Job Information | National Careers Service

a methodical approach and attention to detail good problem-solving skills technical and practical skills good communication skills to explain technical matters clearly the ability to read technical drawings, cabling plans and circuit diagrams a willingness to keep up to date with new developments in technology good customer care skills the ability to work alone or as part of a team a reasonable level of fitness a knowledge of health and safety issues colour-normal vision to work with electrical wiring.

More information
e-skills UK 1 Castle Lane London SW1E 6DR 0207 963 8920 www.e-skills.com Fibre Optic Industry Association www.fia-online.co.uk Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI) http://bicsieurope.org/ Tomorrow's Engineers EngineeringUK Weston House 246 High Holborn London WC1V 7EX Email: careers@engineeringuk.com Tel: 020 3206 0400 www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk

Opportunities
With the merging of data (IT) and telecommunications systems, demand is increasing for technicians who have skills in both fields, especially wireless broadband technologies. Typical employers include telephone and broadband network providers, mobile phone operators, cable, satellite and digital TV companies, rail signal engineering and power transmission companies. There may also be opportunities with the Ministry of Defence, the armed forces, and the police and emergency services. With experience, you could progress to network planning and design, research and development of new products and project management. You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading: JustEngineers Engineering Jobs Network Telecoms Job Source Jobcentre Plus job search

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Related industry information

Industry summary
Telecoms include people working in this industry, as well as people working with specialist telecoms qualifications in other sectors. The IT industry together with Telecoms is represented by eskills UK Sector Skills Council. The Telecoms industry is difficult to separate from the IT sector, since many of the new technologies use broadband data networks carrying high volumes of multimedia traffic. Telecoms is defined here as telecoms manufacturing and telecoms services. The Telecoms sector is one of the fastest changing in the UK as new technologies are being explored and developed. Migration from voice telephony to broadband data networks carry high volumes of multimedia traffic, which means that boundaries between Telecoms and IT are blurring. Job roles are diverse, ranging from sales and customerfacing roles to those that are highly technical. Good communication and problemsolving skills are required as well as specialised knowledge. Key facts: There is a total IT and Telecoms workforce of 1.5 million of which: 890,000 people are in IT and Telecoms products and services 600,000 IT and Telecoms professionals are working in organisations outside of the IT and Telecoms industries There are around 105,000 businesses in the UK offering IT and Telecoms products and services. ITintensive sectors represent 55% of the UK's total Gross Value Added. Less than 1% of those employed in IT and Telecoms occupations are under 18. 22% of companies who are trying to recruit IT and Telecoms professionals report difficulties in attracting applicants with the right skills. 51% of Telecoms professionals work outside of the industry. The Telecoms workforce accounts for 1% of the UK workforce. The workforce is predominantly male working on a fulltime basis. 58% of the IT and Telecoms workforce has a degree or higher education qualification. The Telecoms industry is likely to grow at a rate of 0.3% per year, which is lower than the UK average growth rate of 0.5%. There are 8,530 telecoms manufacturing and services establishments in the UK employing 301,000 people, including 235,000 who are not Telecoms professionals. Jobs in the Telecoms industry include: aerial rigging; equipment wirer and assembler; internal network construction; mobile switching engineer; network management; satellite communications; fibre optic installation and configuration; core access network technician; customer support; radio base station engineer; network planning.

National and regional data

Across the UK, there is an estimated IT and Telecoms workforce of 1.5 million who are predominantly located in London and the South East. The IT workforce can be classified in Telecoms manufacturing and Telecoms services. The largest number of companies is located in: Telecoms manufacturing South East London South West East of England Telecoms services London South East East of England North West Key regional facts: 39% of IT and Telecoms professionals are located in London and the South East the East of England has the third highest number of IT and Telecoms employees Northern Ireland, Wales and the North East combined comprise just 6% of the IT and Telecoms professionals
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44% of all types of IT and Telecoms companies are located in London and the South East 38% of Telecoms manufacturing takes place in either London or the South East the South West and East account for just 11% each of Telecoms manufacturing the highest median gross weekly earnings for IT and Telecoms staff are in London, the South East and the East of England, which are all above the UK median [N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey (AprilJune), 2009.]

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