Electrical engineering technician
Help an electrical engineer maintain systems and equipment. You’d help provide renewable energy products across many different industries.
About the job
Career insights – Electrical project engineer
What it's like
You would set up, maintain and fix electrical equipment and controls like systems for streetlights and railways.
You’d install and test components like motors, panels, generators and transformers, to make sure they’re working.
You could work in a range of industries. Your tasks might include:
installing switchgear, power lines, street lighting and renewable technologies like wind turbines
making, fitting and repairing drives motors and programmable logic control (PLC) panels
upgrading rail electrification and signalling systems
installing and maintaining lighting, heating and air conditioning systems
following health and safety and environmental regulations, such as using biodegradable materials
using wiring and circuit diagrams to set up and fix systems
As an experienced technician you may be responsible for creating preventative maintenance rotas and carrying out quality control checks, for example on production-line machinery.
You'd normally work as part of a team, often supervising fitters and operators. You'll need colour-normal vision for this type of work.
Green job
In this job you'll be doing work to help the environment. Find out more about green jobs.
Hours
You'd usually work a 40-hour week which could include shiftwork and overtime. You might also be on-call to respond to out-of-hours problems.
Environment
Your working environment would depend on your exact job, but could include an office, factory, workshop, power station or research facility.
Travel
You'll usually need a driving licence.
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Food and drink Engineering and manufacturing Energy
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- electrical wiring
- control systems
- package boiler
- refrigeration plant
- cooling towers
- compressed air
- planned maintenance
- production line
- hydraulics
- development environment
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- analysing
- developing a plan
- attention to detail
- researching
- working with numbers
- problem solving
- written communication
- working with technology
- verbal communication
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Design and Manufacture
Engineering Science
Physics
Practical Craft Skills
Practical Electronics
Skills for Work: Engineering Skills
Foundation Apprenticeship: Engineering
Skills for Work: Building Services Engineering
Foundation Apprenticeship: Automotive
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
You would need a Modern Apprenticeship leading to a relevant Scottish Vocational Qualifications in Electrical Installation (SVQ Level 3). Or a Higher National Certificate (SCQF Level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF Level 8) in Electrical Engineering.
Some employers may ask for qualifications at SCQF Level 4/5, in particular for entry to a Modern Apprenticeship.
You can enter Higher National Certificate (SCQF Level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF Level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.
Qualifications that demonstrate understanding and experience of the industry such as Skills for Work Engineering Skills (SCQF Level 5).
Normal colour vision and to pass a colour vision assessment, to work with electrical wiring.
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