what is a technician?
As a technician, you may ensure equipment and machines are in good shape and health. You perform routine maintenance procedures to identify any problems in the machines. The regular inspections ensure prompt detection of repair and troubleshooting needs.
Technicians don't just solve mechanical problems; they also deal with electrical faults and any issues within manufacturing systems. You ensure the manufacturing process is operational to avoid output reduction, downtimes and substandard quality. The maintenance routines work towards providing high-quality production standards.
what does a technician do?
Often, maintenance work done by a technician is divided into preventative, general and predictive maintenance. A preventive maintenance technician monitors equipment or machines and completes any repairs necessary to prevent malfunctions and improve the equipment's useful life. The machine producers set the periodic maintenance schedules, which are crucial after pre-determined operational cycles. During preventative maintenance, you work with engineers to develop monitoring and repair schedules to keep the machines' performance faultless.
Predictive maintenance technicians operate with the expectation that a machine will not be in operation in future and ensure they prolong the useful life of the equipment. As a technician, your work is to install performance tracking tools to help you pinpoint the causes of failure. You also conduct tests and regular checks to determine the working capacity and cost-effective maintenance methods. As a general maintenance technician, you handle emergency repairs and general issues that arise, like electrical faults.
Would working as a technician suit your deductive reasoning ability and attention to details? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a technician role.
average salary of a technician
According to National Careers, the average base salary of an entry-level technician is £18,000 per year. A technician with experience earns up to £40,000 annually. Some technicians earn hourly wages and overtime pay for taking up emergency work. Aside from the basic salary, most companies provide technicians with health insurance and pension schemes. You also enjoy paid vacation days and annual bonuses for doing invaluable work.
how to increase your salary as a technician
Your salary as a technician depends on your specialisation and level of expertise. If you work in a factory, you are likely to earn more than a general technician. That is because a maintenance technician in a factory handles complex repairs and needs basic mechanical engineering knowledge. Academic qualifications and experience also increase your compensation package. You can increase your wages by working for a larger company since they have better salaries and provide numerous benefits due to the complexity of their projects.
types of technicians
Instead of working as a general technician, you can specialise in a specific field such as:
- industrial maintenance technician: as an industrial technician, you maintain machinery in factories and manufacturing. You also troubleshoot equipment to ensure they function as expected. In case of a problem or failure, you do the repairs.
- building maintenance technician: working as a building technician involves routine maintenance in properties and residential buildings. After construction, you should ensure the plumbing, heating and ventilation systems are working.
- public works maintenance technician: as a technician in public works, you construct, maintain and repair sidewalks and city streets. You also inspect roads and railway lines to ensure the safety of trains and vehicles.
- it technician: as an IT technician, you are in charge of detecting issues in computer systems and finding solutions. You also regularly troubleshoot and run diagnostic tests to check for problems and ensure every part of the computer system works.
working as a technician
Becoming a technician allows you to develop remarkable technical skills and build your career. Discover the tasks technicians undertake daily and the work environment.
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technician job description
Although technicians perform diverse duties depending on the company and area of specialisation, some of the typical roles and responsibilities include:
- reviewing work and prioritising maintenance projects: at the beginning of the day, you need to review scheduled maintenance work and prioritise the tasks. You should schedule the repairs efficiently and gather the necessary tools, parts and instructions for maintenance.
- documenting maintenance work performed: you need to document the process when performing maintenance procedures. If you notice any problems with the machinery, take photos and write down the required items. Before completing the job, it is essential to document the causes, failure codes and time to complete the repairs or maintenance procedures.
- completing routine and emergency repairs: it is your job to develop the maintenance operating procedures for preventive and routine inspections of the equipment. During the scheduled maintenance period, you check and troubleshoot faulty machinery. In cases of an emergency system failure, it is your job to evaluate the cause of the loss and develop solutions to restore functionality.
- ensuring equipment complies with the safety standards: the purpose of regular inspections is to ensure the machinery meets the required standards for employee health and safety. That means you should document the emergency fire and safety plans, hazardous materials and injury prevention protocols.
- training new technicians: as an experienced technician, you mentor new hires and familiarise them with the operating procedures, policies and repair techniques.
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work environment
As a technician, your work is mainly in a factory plant or manufacturing unit unless you are an IT technician who works in server rooms. The work of a technician is hands-on, and you need to be around the machines to determine the cause of a failure or replace the spare parts. Due to the dangerous nature of factory environments, you need to wear protective equipment when completing the repairs. Before you commence the repairs, you should formulate a maintenance plan for each piece of equipment in the facility. That requires hours of office work to read the manuals and write reports.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include maintenance technicians, electrical engineers, field service engineers, mechanical technicians and construction engineers. You might also be working in close proximity to project managers and site supervisors, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, fitters, site managers, couriers and forklift drivers.
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work schedule
Technicians work an average of 42 hours a week in the mechanical maintenance sector. General technicians work more or fewer hours depending on the job specification. Unlike other 9 am to 5 pm office-based roles, you will work on a shift basis. Since the manufacturing processes continue 24/7, companies need technicians on standby to troubleshoot any arising issues and assist during malfunctions. That means your work extends to holidays and weekends during an emergency. Technicians working part-time are often consultants called during emergencies to solve problems in their area of expertise. If the company's manufacturing facility is in a different location, you have to commute between the office and the facility.
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job outlook
As a technician, you have diverse career options to build your profession. The different roles for a technician allow you to branch into any field of specialisation, and with extra qualifications, you can become an engineer. Most technicians become maintenance engineers, but opportunities are also available in electrical, mechanical and construction engineering. Alternatively, you can become a consultant or a lecturer in a learning institution when you have years of experience. Self-employment and freelance work are also possible if you have the right skillset.
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advantages of finding a technician job through randstad
Finding your technician job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a technician is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
You need the following qualifications to become a technician:
- university degree: you can do a higher national diploma or a foundation degree in maintenance engineering to become a technician. You need 2 A Levels or 5 GCSEs with maths and science for the foundation degree.
- college course: you can complete a certificate or diploma course to learn the technical skills relevant to engineering. It is possible to find Level 2 or 3 mechanical or maintenance engineering courses.
- apprenticeship: find an industry that offers apprenticeship programmes and join them for an advanced engineering apprenticeship. It combines on-the-job training with coursework.
skills and competencies
The ideal skill set for someone becoming a technician include:
- problem-solving skills: the primary task of a technician is to resolve mechanical problems that prevent an equipment's proper functionality. That means you need creative problem-solving skills to develop solutions and repairs that will restore the performance of a plant or machinery. Deductive reasoning boosts your problem-solving skills and helps you isolate the root cause of the failure from the production team reports or observations.
- manual dexterity: whether you are determining the cause of a problem or fixing the damages, you need to use specific tools. That means you should be skilful in using your hands and the tools at your disposal to manipulate components of machines during installation. Sometimes you have to replace machine parts during repairs, which is physically demanding.
- attention to detail: when you are a technician, you should spot glitches in a system or machine functions from observing or listening to the noises it produces during operation. If you understand the routine operations of the equipment, your attentiveness to detail will help you pinpoint problems in the system.
- communication skills: your communication skills help you pass on clear instructions to other technicians or explain a solution to machine failure. Exceptional written communication enables you to create maintenance procedures and keep the necessary documentation to comply with manufacturing guidelines.
- time management: you need to schedule and plan the maintenance routines to ensure they are done on time. It is also important to allocate time in your schedule for unexpected problems in the machinery or troubleshooting requests.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a technician
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who is a technician?
A technician performs routine maintenance of a company's machines or systems. They also undertake repairs in case of a system failure.
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what is a technician in the UK?
As a technician, your job is to troubleshoot problems in equipment, and you also document preventive maintenance procedures.
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what are the different types of technicians?
Some of the types of technicians are building, electrical, mechanical and information technology technicians.
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what's another name for a technician?
A technician is considered a handyman with skills in mechanical engineering and different fields.
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what is a technician's salary?
A technician's average salary ranges from £18,000 to £40,000. The wage bracket depends on academic qualifications and work experience.
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how do I apply for a technician vacancy?
Applying for a technician job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
