Measurement and control technicians run and look after the instruments that monitor and control processes in a whole range of industries, such as breweries, chemicals or automatic assembly lines in manufacturing.
They work with sophisticated sensors and control systems to make sure products are measured, weighed, manufactured, sorted or packaged efficiently, or to keep systems operating effectively.
The work of measurement and control technicians can involve:
- routine maintenance and repair of components
- setting and adjusting sensors
- designing, producing, testing and operating new systems
- supervising other people.
Measurement and control technicians usually work 37 to 40 hours a week, often on a shift or rota system. They may work evenings, weekends and on call. Depending on the type of work, they may be outdoors, eg in shipbuilding or transport, or indoors, eg on a production line or in a laboratory.
Salaries vary across different industry sectors, but may range from around £13,000 to £35,000 a year.
Measurement and control technicians need:
- good technical skills
- the ability to diagnose problems and come up with solutions
- a patient and methodical approach to work
- computer skills
- an interest in electronic engineering and scientific equipment.
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Measurement and control technicians are employed in the chemical, food, oil and gas, mining, water, automotive, paper, mechanical and manufacturing industries. There are opportunities throughout the country and abroad.
Most young people start as apprentices straight from school or college. The most usual entry route is through an Advanced Apprenticeship leading to a technician-level qualification. School leavers with A levels/H grades can take BTEC national certificates and diplomas in measurement and process control. Some technicians have degrees or HNCs/HNDs.
Apprentices follow a planned schedule of training, combining academic study with work-based experience. This leads to NVQs/SVQs at Levels 2 and 3.
With further study and experience, technicians can work towards the engineering technician (EngTech) status. There may be opportunities to move into design, sales, and management and consultancy.
What is the work like?
Measurement and control technicians run and look after the instruments that monitor and control production, manufacturing and other processes. They may also be involved in installing and testing instruments.
They work in a whole range of industries where sophisticated sensors and control systems are needed to make sure products are measured, weighed, manufactured, sorted or packaged correctly and efficiently, or to keep systems operating effectively. These could include:
- breweries, pharmaceuticals and food preparation
- chemicals, oil production and refining
- mining operations
- road vehicles and railway operations
- automatic assembly lines in almost any manufacturing process
- aeronautical and aerospace manufacture and maintenance
- hospital instruments
- laboratories - testing new products before production
- automatic sorting operations - such as baggage handling or mail sorting.
The 'smart' instruments used by measurement and control technicians detect exactly what is happening in a particular area of operation at any given moment. The equipment is often programmed to carry out any necessary changes and adjustments automatically.
The work of measurement and control technicians can involve:
- routine maintenance and repair of components
- setting and adjusting sensors to meet the requirements of quality assurance
- monitoring systems
- designing, producing, testing and operating new systems
- supervising others in the team.
Technicians may work in electronics engineering teams, usually under the guidance of senior instrument engineers. They also work closely with the people operating the equipment that they are responsible for monitoring.
Measurement and control technicians may start on around £13,000 a year as apprentices.
Hours and environment
Measurement and control technicians usually work 37 to 40 hours a week, often on a shift or rota system as they may need to service or repair equipment at any time of the day or night. Evening, weekend and on-call working might be required.
Depending on the type of company they work for, technicians could be based:
- outdoors - in shipbuilding and heavy industry, in the transport industry, in oil refineries or on oil rigs
- indoors - on production lines manufacturing things like toiletries, pharmaceuticals, food or drink
- in air-conditioned laboratories and hospitals
- in closely controlled environments, for example in microchip manufacturing.
Salary and other benefits
These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.
As measurement and control technicians can work across a whole range of industries, salary levels vary considerably.
- Apprentices may start on around £13,000 a year.
- Qualified technicians can earn around £20,000 a year or more.
- Senior measurement and control technicians may earn £35,000 or more.
Skills and personal qualities
Measurement and control technicians need:
- good technical skills
- the ability to diagnose problems and come up with solutions
- a patient and methodical approach to work
- computer skills
- accuracy for record keeping
- to be able to explain complex operations clearly
- to work well on their own initiative and as part of a team
- to be able to communicate with other team members with different levels of responsibility.
Interests
It helps to have an interest in:
- electronic engineering and scientific equipment
- computer applications and industrial processes
- problem solving.
Getting in
Measurement and control technicians are widely employed in the chemical, food, oil and gas, mining, water, automotive, paper, mechanical and manufacturing industries.
As automated systems and computers are used more and more throughout industry, technicians skilled at using monitoring equipment will continue to be in demand.
There are opportunities throughout the country and abroad. Jobs are advertised in the local press, in trade publications and on the many engineering recruitment websites.
Entry for young people
Most young people start as apprentices straight from school or college. It is possible to become an apprentice without formal qualifications, although good colour vision may be needed for some roles. Most companies do ask for GCSE/S grades (A-C/1-3), or equivalent qualifications, to show that new starters will be able to cope with the training.
There is a double GCSE in engineering and one in manufacturing, and some schools, in partnership with employers, colleges and group training associations, offer a Young Apprenticeship that starts at school at the age of 14.
The most usual entry route is through an Advanced Apprenticeship leading to a technician-level qualification. Some Apprenticeships lead directly to engineering technician registration by the Institution of Engineering and Technology.
Apprenticeships which may be available in England are Young Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships, Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships. To find out which one is most appropriate log onto www.apprenticeships.org.uk or contact your local Connexions Partnership.
It is important to bear in mind that pay rates for Apprenticeships do vary from area to area and between industry sectors.
There are different arrangements for Apprenticeships in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For further information contact Careers Scotland www.careers-scotland.org.uk , Careers Wales www.careerswales.com ; and for Northern Ireland contact COIU www.delni.gov.uk .
School leavers with AS levels, A levels or H grades can also take full or part-time courses leading to BTEC national certificates and diplomas in measurement and process control.
Some technicians have degrees or HNCs/HNDs in engineering with technology management. The requirements for HNC/HND courses are one A level/two or three H grades or a BTEC national certificate/diploma in a relevant subject, or equivalent qualifications. Entry to a degree course is usually with at least two A levels/three H grades, and five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), or equivalent qualifications.
Entry for adults
Adults may be able to train as measurement and control technicians if they have experience in electronics, manufacturing or engineering.
Training
Young people who join as apprentices follow a planned schedule of training, combining academic study with work-based experience. This leads to NVQs/SVQs at Levels 2 and 3.
Students who start by taking a two-year HND could extend this to a three-year degree or a four-year sandwich degree, by continuing on a BEng Engineering with Technology Management or similar course. An optional placement year in industry is usually available before the final year.
Getting on
With further study and experience, technicians can show they have reached a recognised level of competence by applying to the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) for engineering technician (EngTech) status. To achieve this, technicians must register formally with The Engineering Council as an engineering technician. They also need:
- an appropriate qualification such as an NVQ/SVQ Level 3, BTEC national certificate or diploma, or an SQA national certificate group award
- at least three years' relevant work experience, including further training and development
- to be aged 21 or over
- to be a member of the relevant professional institution, such as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the IET or the Institute of Measurement and Control
- to take a final test called a professional review.
It may also be possible to go on to Incorporated engineer level, and then to Chartered engineer status.
Experienced technicians could move into positions in design, sales, and management and consultancy.
Further information
Engineering Council UK, 10 Maltravers Street, London WC2R 3ER. 020 7240 7891. Website: www.engc.org.uk
Engineering and Technology Board careers information. Website: www.scenta.co.uk
The Institute of Measurement and Control, 87 Gower Street, London WC1E 6AF. 020 7387 4949. Website: www.instmc.org.uk
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), Michael Faraday House, Six Hills Way, Stevenage SG1 2AY. 01438 313311. Website: www.theiet.org
Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 1 Birdcage Walk, Westminster, London SW1H 9JJ. 020 7222 7899. Website: www.imeche.org.uk
The Manufacturing Institute, Quay West, Trafford Wharf Road, Manchester M17 1HH. 0161 872 0393. Website: www.manufacturinginstitute.co.uk
SEMTA (Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies), 14 Upton Road, Watford WD18 0JT. SEMTA learning helpline: 0800 282 167. Website: www.semta.org.uk
Further reading
Engineering (CRAC Degree Course Guides) - Trotman
GET 2006 Engineering - Trotman
Instrument Engineer's Yearbook - The Institute of Measurement and Control
So You Want to Work in Engineering? - Hodder Wayland
Working in electrical & electronic engineering - Connexions
Working in manufacturing - Connexions
Magazines/journals
The Engineer
Engineering
Engineering and Technology - IET
Manufacturing Engineer - IET
Measurement + Control - The Institute of Measurement and Control
(Some may be priced)
For further details please see:
http://www.connexions-direct.com
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