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Education Laboratory Technician

Do you want to become a Education Laboratory Technician? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Education technicians support staff teaching sciences and IT in schools, colleges and universities.

They are involved in:

• setting up, delivering and checking equipment
• preparing and testing solutions
• taking part in demonstrations
• helping in practical classes
• giving technical assistance to students
• clearing away equipment after use
• organising and storing equipment
• stocktaking of chemicals and equipment
• repairing equipment and controlling stock.

The working hours are usually 9am to 4pm. About half of technicians in education work part time, and many work term-time only. Technicians spend much of their time in laboratories, IT rooms and preparation rooms.

Salaries start at around £8,000 and rise to £14,000 plus.

Education technicians need:

• interest and ability in science
• practical skills
• flexibility and adaptability
• to be able to use technical equipment
• communication and teamwork skills.

There are opportunities throughout the country in schools, colleges and universities.

Technicians come from a wide range of backgrounds. Most employers require at least GCSEs/S grades, and about 40 per cent of education technicians have a higher national certificate/diploma or a degree in a scientific or technological subject.

A Modern Apprenticeship has been developed which leads to NVQ/SVQ Level 3.

Over 70 per cent of people in this occupation are aged over 40. Because it is possible to work part time and in term-time only, this occupation attracts a lot of parents returning to work.

However, there is no clear career structure, and opportunities for promotion are often limited.

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