You could do a foundation degree or higher national diploma in engineering before applying for a job as a trainee technician.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

You could take a college course, which would teach you some of the skills needed for this job. 

Relevant courses include:

• Level 2 Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
• Level 2 Certificate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology
• Level 3 Diploma in Equipment Maintenance Engineering
• Level 3 Diploma in Engineering
• T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing
• T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction

Entry requirements

You may need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

You could apply to do a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, such as:

• Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician
• Engineering Technician
• Mechatronics Maintenance Technician

You could also do an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship in a specific industry, like:

• aviation
• compressed air and vacuum manufacturing
• lifting equipment
• rail

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

You could start as an engineering craftworker and train on the job to become an engineering maintenance technician.

You'll need:

• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to work well with your hands
• problem-solving skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work on your own
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

As an engineering maintenance technician, you could:

• organise routine servicing schedules and assign tasks
• check and maintain instruments and machinery
• fix breakdown faults and arrange for replacement equipment
• complete reports and inform production managers of progress
• do risk assessments and keep stock control records

You could work in a factory, on a construction site or at a manufacturing plant.

Your working environment may be noisy and outdoors some of the time.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.