IN August, young people across the country will be reviewing their options further to receiving their GCSE or A-Level results. For some, the most desirable option may be to pursue a degree. However, university is not for everybody, and not all professional careers require a degree, so many young people will be looking for a different route to the career of their choice.

A civil engineering technician is one role where a degree is not required. Engineering technicians perform a vital role in the development of our roads and railways, and our energy, water and waste networks. They offer specialist skills and techniques and solve complex problems - ultimately they help to deliver infrastructure projects safely, cost efficiently and on time. Across all engineering disciplines, 450,000 engineering technicians role are predicted to become available between now and 2020.

Joining the civil engineering profession through the technician route gives individuals the opportunity to “earn while they learn” and get on the path to a life-long, rewarding career in civil engineering with the opportunity to achieve the recognised “EngTech” status from the Institution of Civil Engineers. This enables young people to use “EngTech” after their name, marking them out as a professionally registered engineering technician who has demonstrated the knowledge, skills and commitment to join the national register of professional engineers and technicians. A number of major UK employers run programmes designed to support individuals with the EngTech qualification.

EngTech status can either be achieved by completing an accredited apprenticeship and a professional review, by completing academic assessments and a professional review, or through a combination of work experience, Level 3 (A level) equivalent construction or engineering academic qualifications and a professional review. Once the professional review has been passed, engineering technicians are rewarded with ICE’s EngTech qualification and can go on to achieve Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

If you are interested in featuring content on non-tertiary routes to the civil engineering profession further to release of GCSE and A-Level results, ICE’s press office has further information, case studies of engineering technicians and we can provide further comment and spokespeople.

Commenting on the role of technicians and “EngTech” status, Mark Jones, Director of Learning and Development at Atkins said: “EngTech gives engineers recognition and a status to be proud of. It sets the right behaviour – understanding what being an engineering professional is all about, and that you need to continue to continue to develop yourself professionally.

“As a professional services company we’re selling the capabilities and qualifications of our people, so we want them to be the best. EngTech gives Atkins – and our clients – the confidence that our engineers are of the right quality and capability.”

Find out more about Engineering Technicians at http://www.engtechnow.com