Working as a Telecommunications engineer (or telecoms engineer) can be an exciting career to embark on and involves responsibility for installing, testing and repairing communications systems. This often includes both fixed-line and mobile telephone networks, copper wire and fibre-optic cabling and increasingly digital satellite systems. A good telecoms engineer also needs to be able to quickly assess the job in hand and have the skills required to be able to communicate their findings to the client in layman’s terms. Diagnosing and fixing faults in systems is a major part of the role and so a good grounding in problem solving is a key requisite for anyone wanting to train as a telecoms engineer.
The qualifications needed to start training are GCSE grade C or above in maths and English with a GCSE in science desirable. An excellent route into this field is to complete an apprenticeship with a recognised telecommunications company as this is an advantageous way to learn on the job and get the opportunity to work alongside experienced engineers. Doing an apprenticeship can lead to full time employment once completed so is definitely worth considering.
Undertaking a full time electronic engineering course at college is an alternative way to get into this career but once qualified, employment will need to be sought independently through an agency or by submitting a CV to telecoms companies. Working as a self-employed telecoms engineer is a route that some trainees take and advertising online or joining a directory of engineers is a good way to get your company known.