Lift engineer
Lift service technician, escalator engineer
Lift engineers install, service and repair lifts and escalators.
Salary range: £19,000 to £40,000
How to become a lift engineer
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
- training with a professional body
College
You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant subjects include:
- Level 3 Diploma in Maintenance Engineering Technology
- Level 3 Diploma in Building Services Engineering
- Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Lift Engineering
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
More information
Apprenticeship
You could do a lift and escalator electromechanic advanced apprenticeship.
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
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Work
If you work in the lift and escalator industry you can do a higher national diploma or foundation degree in lift engineering, with the support of your employer.
Direct application
You can apply directly to employers if you’ve got relevant qualifications and experience in electrical, electro-mechanical or building services engineering.
Other routes
You can do training in lift engineering technology through the Lift and Escalator Industry Association.
More information
Further information
You can get more on careers in maintenance engineering from the Lift and Escalator Industry Association and Tomorrow’s Engineers.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- knowledge of building and construction
- customer service skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- analytical thinking skills
- persistence and determination
- the ability to work on your own
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day duties may include:
- carrying out routine checks
- isolating problems and making repairs
- responding to emergency breakdown call-outs
- installing and fitting out lifts, lifting gear and lift wells
- demonstrating new equipment to clients
- refurbishing or replacing lift interiors, flooring, panel displays, communication systems, buttons and lighting
- updating written and computerised work records
- making sure equipment meets health and safety regulations
- producing risk assessment reports and legal and insurance documents
Working environment
You could work at a client’s business.
Your working environment may be cramped, hot, dirty and you’ll travel often.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Career path and progression
You could move into supervisory management, technical sales or general engineering.
You could also use your skills to move into other industries, like manufacturing, engineering construction or safety inspection, either employed by a company or as a freelance contractor.