Building services engineer
Building services engineers design, install and main the services in a new or existing building. These services include all equipment and materials involved with heating, lighting, ventilation, air-conditioning, electrical distribution, water supply, sanitation, public health, fire protection, safety systems, lifts, escalators, facade engineering and acoustics.
With the current emphasis on sustainability, building services engineers are at the cutting-edge of designing, developing and managing new technologies that integrate into existing systems and services.
While the role increasingly demands a multidisciplinary approach, building services engineers tend to specialise in one of the following areas:
Activities vary according to the specialist area of work and employer (for example, client/end-user, building contractor or engineering consultancy). However, tasks typically involve:
Entry is via an engineering qualification. A degree in the following subjects is likely to increase your chances:
Engineering or technology HNDs/foundation degrees can fulfil all the academic requirements to become an engineering technician (EngTech) or part of the requirements to gain incorporated engineer (IEng) status (appropriate further learning to degree level would then be needed).
Apprenticeships are available through the modern apprenticeship scheme. SummitSkills , the sector skills council for building services engineering, can provide further details on qualifications and apprenticeships.
Chartered engineer (CEng) or incorporated engineer (IEng) status are achieved through membership of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) or other engineering institutions licensed by the Engineering Council . For chartered status, an accredited first degree with honours in engineering or technology, plus an appropriate accredited MEng or an accredited integrated MEng degree are usually required. Accreditation of degrees is conferred by CIBSE and the ECUK.
Degrees in building services engineering or environmental engineering usually meet the academic requirements for admission to membership of CIBSE. Accredited BEng Honours degrees in all other engineering subjects, such as mechanical and electrical and electronic engineering, are accepted if accredited by an ECUK-nominated engineering institution.
Individuals with qualifications not listed on the ECUK website are assessed individually. Other relevant institutions include the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) .
Pre-entry experience is not formally required, but relevant work experience during the holidays or through industry sponsorship can enhance job applications and help with making contacts in the sector.
Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:
CIBSE offers student membership to those on relevant courses, which can lead to valuable networking opportunities at industry events as well as discounted prices on publications and other resources.
Jobs are usually advertised throughout the year, but speculative applications may be productive, especially for jobs in consultancies.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
All trainee building services engineers have to progress through an initial period of professional development before attaining professional engineer status. The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) can provide details of companies that provide an approved development programme.
Approved professional training is usually undertaken on the job and is based on guidelines set by CIBSE and the Engineering Council . Training is directed by a designated workplace supervisor. ECUK registration status can be gained when the required level of professional competence and responsibility has been achieved. The extent of training support provided by employers during this process will vary, with structured schemes not necessarily being offered, so it is important at the interview stage to ascertain what training support is available.
Beyond initial training, it is important to be self-motivated in progressing personal and professional development and personal training requirements. Individuals can obtain information about competence requirements directly from CIBSE.
It is also important to attend conferences, workshops and networking events to keep up to date with developments in technology and legislation in order to meet ongoing client and employer demands. Professional bodies, such as CIBSE, and trade associations, like the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) provide opportunities in areas such as:
Progression routes within the industry are fairly clear cut. When working for client/end-users or contractors, career progression is usually from engineer to manager to estates director.
In consultancy, now more usually companies rather than partnerships, career progression typically runs as follows:
However, career patterns are not fixed and career development can depend on the choice of specialisation. It is important, therefore, to be strategic at an early stage when choosing the type of qualification to take and the areas in which to gain practical experience. Building services degrees with a general focus provide a useful overview of the whole sector, whilst other types of degree, e.g. mechanical or electrical engineering, allow the development of more specialised skills.
Gaining experience and training in design, as well as installation and maintenance, can increase the opportunities for career development, whichever qualification route is followed. The profession is also seeing the emergence of new specialisations, such as intelligent buildings and organic lighting, which can open up new career possibilities.
Promotion is dependent upon gaining professional qualifications and appropriate experience, so it is advisable to gain relevant qualifications and become a member of the appropriate professional body as early as possible. Chartered engineer status accords recognition in the UK and overseas.
In order to progress in this fast-moving industry, it is important to keep up to date with developments and to maintain a combination of skills and relevant experience, together with a professional attitude.
Typical employers include:
A high proportion of building services engineers are employed by consultancies. Engineers employed by consultancies work on a range of projects, often at the same time. Whilst they are likely to specialise in a particular area, they are required to apply a wide range of skills and specialist knowledge to a variety of areas, with an increasing focus on sustainability.
Self-employment as a consultant is an option for those with experience.
Vacancies are often advertised in graduate and professional publications, but for candidates hoping to work in consultancies, making speculative applications is likely to be the most productive approach.
Specialist recruitment agencies also handle vacancies and short-term contract opportunities. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has a searchable database of recruitment agencies.
Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.
Tweet