Geological technicians support the work of professional geologists by supplying the information and data they need to complete their research. Their tasks could include:

Senior technicians could also be responsible for:

Geological technicians use high-tech electronic instruments and computers and their work could include maintaining this equipment.
The normal working week is 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. They might sometimes have to work evenings and weekends to meet deadlines. Most of the work is indoors in laboratories. Geological technicians have to wear protective clothing in laboratories and sometimes need safety equipment when involved in certain types of activity.
Salaries may range from around £12,800 to £32,000 a year.
A geological technician should:

There are about 3,500 geological technicians in the UK, and most jobs are with the British Geological Survey. Other employers include oil companies, service companies supporting oil and gas exploration, UK universities and larger museums.
There are a number of entry routes depending on qualifications. Maths and sciences, such as physics and chemistry, are important. Some people start straight from school with GCSEs/S grades or A levels/H grades. Others have higher qualifications such as HNCs/HNDs or degrees. There are opportunities for mature entrants.
Most training is on the job, but many organisations provide short in-service training courses on the use of particular techniques or equipment. Many employers encourage their technicians to study part time, by day or block release, for further qualifications.
There are better promotion opportunities in larger companies, and experienced technicians may move into managerial posts. It may also be possible to train to become a professional geologist. Technicians working for oil and gas companies may be able to work abroad.

What is the work like?
Geology is one of the geosciences, or earth sciences. It covers a huge range of subjects including engineering, physics, chemistry and information technology. Geological technicians support the work of professional geologists by supplying the information and data they need to complete their research. Their tasks could include:

Senior technicians could also be responsible for:

Geological technicians use high-tech electronic instruments and computers and their work could include maintaining this equipment. They may also be involved in new and innovative technologies which are often at the ‘cutting edge’ of science.
Starting salaries may be around £12,800 to £16,000 a year.

Hours and environment

The normal working week for geological technicians is 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. They might sometimes have to work evenings and weekends to meet deadlines. If their work involves the maintenance of electronic equipment and computers, they may have to work outside office hours to deal with emergency call-outs. Part-time work is sometimes possible.
Most of the work is indoors in laboratories. Geological technicians have to wear protective clothing in laboratories and sometimes need safety equipment when involved in certain types of activity.

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.

Skills and personal qualities

A geological technician should:

Interests

It is important to:

Getting in

There are about 3,500 geological technicians in the UK. Most jobs are with the British Geological Survey which is part of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Other employers include:

The increasing use of sophisticated technology means that professional geologists are expected to be less reliant on technicians. In addition, many large oil companies contract a lot of work to service companies in an attempt to reduce costs. These trends may lead to fewer employment opportunities for geological technicians in the future.
Jobs are advertised in the national press and on the internet. Oil companies often recruit through employment agencies.

Entry for young people

There are a number of entry routes depending on qualifications. Maths and sciences, such as physics and chemistry, are important. Geology could be an advantage, but is not essential.
School leavers starting as junior technicians need at least four GSCEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), including maths and at least one science. Some posts require A levels/H grades or NVQs/SVQs. A science-based BTEC/SQA national certificate or diploma may also be acceptable. Entry requirements for these qualifications vary, but are usually at least four GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), or the equivalent.
Some organisations may ask for higher qualifications such as a higher national certificate/diploma (HNC/HND) or a degree. Minimum entry for a BTEC/SQA HNC/HND is usually four GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3) with one A level/two H grades, or the equivalent. The minimum entry to a degree is generally five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), or the equivalent, with two A levels/three H grades. However, many degree courses ask for more than the minimum. English at GCSE/S grade (A-C/1-3) is generally required, and science and technical subjects are important.

Entry for adults

There are opportunities for mature entrants. Many higher education institutions are flexible about entry for mature applicants with relevant qualifications and experience.
A science-based Access Course may be acceptable, or it may be possible to gain recognition for skills and experience through Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL). Check with universities or colleges for exact entry requirements.

Training

Most training is on the job, but many organisations provide short in-service training courses on the use of particular techniques or equipment. Many employers encourage their technicians to study part time, by day or block release, for further qualifications such as BTEC/SQA HNCs/HNDs, foundation degrees or degrees. There are NVQs/SVQs at Levels 2, 3 and 4 in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities.

Getting on

Larger organisations tend to have more formal career structures. There are likely to be fewer promotion opportunities in smaller companies and technicians may have to move employers to move up the ladder. Experienced technicians may move into managerial posts. It may also be possible to train to become a professional geologist.
Technicians working for oil and gas companies may be able to work abroad.
Geological technicians can move into related jobs, such as laboratory manager or laboratory technician, in another industry.

Further information

British Geological Survey (BGS), Kingsley Dunham Centre, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG. 0115 936 3100. Website: www.bgs.ac.uk
Cogent, Minerva House, Bruntland Road, Portlethen, Aberdeen AB12 4QL. 01224 787800. Website: www.cogent-ssc.com
Cogent, Unit 5, Mandarin Court, Centre Park, Warrington WA1 1GG. 01925 515200. Website: www.cogent-ssc.com
Energy Institute, 61 New Cavendish Street, London W1G 7AR. 020 7467 7100. Website: www.energyinst.org.uk
The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG. 020 7434 9944. Website: www.geolsoc.org.uk
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1EU. 01793 411500. Website: www.nerc.ac.uk
United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association (UKKOA), 2nd Floor, 232-242 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 1AU. 020 7802 2400. Website: www.ukooa.co.uk
United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA), 3rd Floor, The Exchange 2, 62 Market Street, Aberdeen AB11 5PJ. 01224 577250. www.ukooa.co.uk

Further reading

Exploration and Extraction of Natural Resources - AGCAS
Working in science - Connexions

Magazines/journals:

Earthwise - British Geological Survey
Geology Today
Geoscientist
Nature
NERC News
New Scientist
(Some may be priced)

For further details please see:

http://www.connexions-direct.com/

Crown copyright and source acknowledged.