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Building Services Engineering

The Building Services Engineering industry may not be one of Scotland's largest industries but it has a huge impact on all our lives. Imagine no lighting, no heating, no cooking, no showers, no sanitation – that's what life would be like without this industry.

The industry employs 28,500 people in Scotland, about 1% of all Scottish jobs.

Areas Included

Building Services Engineering involves the design, installation and maintenance of the internal facilities of all buildings – industrial, commercial and domestic.

Building Services Engineering has four key industries:

  • air conditioning and refrigeration
  • electrotechnical
  • heating and ventilating
  • plumbing

The Building Services Engineering industry has opportunities at craft, technician and professional level. The Building Services Engineering Careers Map shows the typical routes into the industry.

  • The Building Engineering Services industry is a large recruiter of apprentices – electrotechnical, plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration apprentices.
  • Over half of those employed in the industry in Scotland are in skilled trade occupations.
  • The average weekly wage is £476, 10 per cent higher than the Scottish average.

What's it like working in the Building Services Engineering Industry?

  • This industry will appeal to those with technical and practical skills.
  • Most jobs In Building Services Engineering are full time – only 8% are part time.
  • There are significantly fewer female employees – only 15%.
  • The average age of a worker is 36 – the same as the Scottish average for all industries.
  • Job prospects for school leavers in the building services industry are very good.
  • 51% of employers in the building services industry take part in the modern apprenticeship scheme.

Future Trends

  • The Building Services Engineering industry has a key role to play in combating climate change through the installation of low carbon footprint systems like solar water heating, photovoltaics or micro wind turbines.
  • The industry will continue to require a high proportion of skilled trades.

Useful Information

The Sector Skills Council for the Building Services Engineering Industry is SummitSkills 

The Good Day website contains a range of careers information about the industry, including Case Studies and a Careers Game where you can try your skill as a building services engineering.

Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) - information on electrical apprenticeships; online application form.

Business Excellence Services and Training Ltd. (BEST) - information about the Heating, Ventilation Air Conditioning and Refrigeration industry; on line application form for apprenticeships.

SNIPEF - the trade association for the plumbing and heating industry; information on plumbing apprenticeships.

Occupations

Building Services Engineer
Building Services Engineering Technician
Electrician
Heating and Ventilating Fitter (includes Air Conditioning and Refrigeration)
Plumber