Maintenance & Operations Engineering Technician

Maintenance & Operations Engineering Technicians will maintain the safety, integrity and effective operation of plant and equipment in one or more of the following Industries that are part of or have activities that are part of the broader national infrastructure Engineering Sector: the electricity generating environment, which may use a range of different fuels including coal, gas, nuclear, wind and other renewable sources; telecommunications power plants; oil and gas refining; nuclear waste reprocessing; processing and production of chemicals; pharmaceuticals; human and animal food; cosmetics; petrochemicals; sewerage and the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas. Electrical/Mechanical/Control and Instrumentation/Wind Turbine Technicians will work on various types of plant and equipment commonly found throughout the Engineering Industry sectors and the Technicians can be expected to migrate through these sectors during the course of their careers. Dependent upon the sector that they are employed in there may be subtle differences in terms of the composition and application of the plant and equipment. However, the fundamental principles of operation will be the same regardless of the engineering sector. To support the business and operational requirements of modern integrated engineered production plant and services, Electrical Systems and Process Control Technicians and Electromechanical Technicians will need to apply a range of conventional skills and knowledge to undertake engineering activities on a selection of electromechanical and process control plant, systems and equipment. These Technicians will undertake installation, testing, servicing, removal, replacement, maintenance and repair of a range of equipment, sometimes complex, as part of planned preventative and reactive maintenance programmes. They may also undertake decommissioning activities when plant is being removed from service. Plant Operation Technicians will undertake the safe and efficient operation of complex integrated energy conversion and production plant and systems. These activities could include plant commissioning, isolation and testing, plant preparation, plant start-up and shut down, monitoring and controlling plant and dealing with critical operational problems. They will be responsible for the quality of their own work, possibly others’ and ensuring the work is completed safely, meets stakeholder quality, time and budget requirements, whilst maintaining the efficient running of plant and equipment. 

Skills

A Technician will apply their knowledge of plant and systems to safely perform maintenance and operational activities with minimum supervision. This will require them to:

? comply with industry health, safety and environmental working practices and regulations

? locate, and rectify faults on plant and equipment

? communicate with and provide information to stakeholders in line with personal role and responsibilities

? read, understand and interpret information and work in compliance with technical specifications and supporting documentation

? prepare work areas to undertake work related activities and reinstate those areas after the completion of the work related activities

? inspect and maintain appropriate plant and equipment to meet operational requirements

? assess and test the performance and condition of plant and equipment ? communicate, handover and confirm that the appropriate engineering process has been completed to specification

Knowledge 

A Technician will understand:

? first principles relating to the operation and maintenance of appropriate plant and equipment

? relevant industry health and safety standards, regulations, and environmental and regulatory requirements

? maintenance and operational practices, processes and procedures covering a range of plant and equipment

? the relevant engineering theories and principles relative to their occupation

Behaviours

? Health & Safety – follows health & safety policies and procedures and be prepared to challenge unsafe behaviour using appropriate techniques to ensure the protection of people and property when working alone and/or with appropriate supervision

? Quality focused – ensures that work achieves quality standard both occupationally and personally

? Working with others – works well with people from different disciplines, backgrounds and expertise to accomplish an activity safely and on time

? Interpersonal skills – gets along well with others and takes into account their needs and concerns

? Critical reasoning – uses resources, techniques and obtained facts to develop sound solutions while recognising and defining problems

? Sustainability and ethical behaviour – behaves ethically and undertakes work in a way that contributes to sustainable development

? Risk awareness – demonstrates high concentration, the desire to reduce risks, ability to be compliant and awareness of change, through regular monitoring and checking of information 

Entry Requirements 

Typically 3 GCSEs at grade C or higher including mathematics, English and science, or equivalent and/or relevant experience. 

Duration

Typically 36 - 42 months 

7. Professional Qualifications / Recognition

This standard will meet the professional standards of the Engineering Council for registration as Engineering Technician (Eng Tech) by an appropriate Professional Engineering Institution. 

Originally published on Gov.uk, this information has been re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence.