Plant Technical Support

The Job  

Plant technicians deal with the general running and safety of the plant and machinery used on-site. Your role would include hiring and buying the relevant machinery, and organising people and equipment. Ensuring budgets and plans are followed, and that everything reaches technical requirements, is also an important part of the job.

The People  

Before becoming a technician, you will need to have a strong knowledge of plant machinery and how it works. Knowledge of materials, and of health and safety requirements, are also vital, as you will have to teach workers on your site. You will need good communication and organisational skills, have a high level of competence in computing, and work well as part of a team.

Entry Requirements  

There are no specific academic entry requirements to train as a plant technician, although some employers may require GCSE/Standard Grade passes in Science, Maths and Technology, which are helpful for the measurements and planning. You will need to have trained as a plant operator or mechanic, to ensure you understand methods, processes and machinery.

There are apprenticeship schemes available, and employers are happy to offer work experience to young people hoping to get into the trade. You will work through NVQ/SVQ Levels 2, 3 and 4 during your training, which will mainly be on-site doing practical skills and some desk-based work. You may be issued day release to college to complete the theory training of your course.

The Benefits  

There is the possibility to progress into a managerial position, such as overall site manager or to set up your own plant company. Salaries vary depending on experience. They are, as always, higher in London, and self-employed professionals can expect to earn a greater annual income than those in full-time employment. For further information on salaries refer to professional institutions and industry press.