Education technician
Education technicians support science, art, IT or design and technology teachers by preparing equipment and materials for practical lessons.
Salary range: £15,000 to £28,500
How to become an education technician
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
College
You can do a college course to improve your chances of finding work. The exact course you take will depend on which subject area you want to work in as a technician. Courses include:
- Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science
- Level 3 Diploma in ICT
- Level 3 Diploma in Art & Design
- Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Applied Chemistry
Some education technicians will get a foundation degree or higher national diploma in their specialist area.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national certificate or higher national diploma
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Apprenticeship
You may be able to get into this job through an advanced apprenticeship in a specialist role, like a lab technician or IT solution technician.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More information
Direct application
You can apply directly for jobs if you’ve got the right skills and experience.
Employers will expect you to have GCSEs (A* to C), A levels or equivalent qualifications in English, maths and usually at least one science subject.
It’s becoming more common for technicians to have a relevant higher national diploma, foundation degree or degree, especially for those who work in higher education.
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Career tips
It may be useful if you have some experience of working in a scientific or technical setting like a lab.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join The Association for Science Education or Higher Education and Technician’s Educational Development for professional development and training opportunities.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
- knowledge of English language
- knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
- knowledge of media production and communication
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Restrictions and requirements
You’ll need to:
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day tasks may include:
- delivering, setting up and checking equipment
- making sure rooms and resources meet health and safety rules
- supporting teachers and students during lessons
- putting away equipment after lessons
- managing equipment, supplies and budgets
- repairing, maintaining and modifying equipment and teaching aids
Working environment
You could work at a college, at a school or at a university.
Your working environment may be physically demanding.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career path and progression
With experience you could become a senior technician, team leader technician, laboratory or studio manager. You could also train as a teacher.