Introduction
Engineering technicians assist engineers and scientists in assembly, repair and experiment oriented tasks. These are highly technical skilled operations involving a basic understanding of theoretical concepts and focus on functional precision and accuracy which the task requires. Prominent areas for training of technicians are mechanical, chemical, civil, electrical, electronic, communication, telecommunication, industrial, aeronautics branches as well as air-conditioning and refrigeration, automobile servicing, appliances servicing, computer maintenance and repair. Engineering technicians may work for specific industries such as plastics, sugar, jute, etc.and undergo special training for these sectors. Technician in many work situations are assisted by engineering tradesman who operate on specific machine equipments and tools.
Engineering technicians study for a diploma. They may subsequently acquire a degree status by qualifying examinations conducted by the appropriate professional body e.g. Institution of Engineers, Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers, Aeronautical Society of India etc. Optionally they may undergo post diploma part time engineering courses to upgrade their qualifications.
Nature of Work
Aeronautical engineering technician
Aeronautical technicians hold diplomas in aircraft maintenance engineering or associateship of the institute of aeronautical engineering. The technicians are trained to engage in tasks related to servicing, repair, production and assembly, development and design. Their job is carried out under the supervision of engineers. They are principally employed by airlines, government production units, Airport authority and in research organisations. In research the task involves collecting and recording data, operating test equipment such as simulators, devising testing norms for quality control, fixing problems as per mathematical procedures given by engineers to fit specific problems and finally reporting test data to scientists/ engineers.
Technicians specialising in launch and recovery work for launch and recovery equipments on aircraft carriers. Avionics specialists repair, test, install and maintain radar and radio equipments aboard aircrafts and space crafts.
Air-conditioning and refrigeration technician
Air-conditioning and refrigeration technicians work on systems which are used for internal temperature & humidity control be it machines, rooms, halls, structures such as hospitals, theatres, apartment buildings, industries, malls etc. The task incorporates tasks such as installation, maintenance, sales and manufacture. Technicians are trained to work from the blue print of the equipment they are installing , maintaining or repairing. They are also trained for technical repair operations such as soldering, welding etc. required during installation. They carry out servicing of central airconditioning plants, refrigeration systems including commercial machines used in superstores, hotels and food processing industries. Their major task is identifying cause for problem and troubleshooting. Opportunities for work exist in manufacturing industries, with maintenance contractors, distributors,dealers, or utility companies .
Automobile servicing technician
Automobile servicing involves repair and maintenance of cars, vans, fourwheel drives, trucks etc. The maintask is focussed in the manufacturing sector for assembly line jobs and in service and repair workshops. In the latter the major work involves trouble shooting. Their training involves understanding the electrical and mechanical systems of the vehicle. As cars are becoming more sophisticated technicians are beginning to specialise in a particular system or a specific vehicle part and function. There are tuning specialists, brake repairers, transmission technicians, electronic component technicians etc.
Appliances servicing technician
Household appliances are increasing day by day. Servicing technician hence have many opportunities in working for installation, maintenance or repair of these gadgets. Electrical appliances such as washing machine, cooking range, sewing machines, fans and coolers, toaster etc. requires maintenance for which service technicians make service calls.
Chemical engineering technician
Chemical engineering technicians assist chemical engineers and chemists. Their employment and work is almost universally with the chemical and associated industries where chemicals are used. Industries where typically chemical technicians work are in paints, plastics, fertilisers, detergents, synthetic fibres, industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, petroleum, aerospace, metals, electronics, automotive and construction industries. While chemical technicians may specialise in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, nuclear chemistry, physical, organic chemistry or other specialised areas their work involves assisting in research and development, design, production or quality control. The routine function a chemical technician is involved in is setting up testing apparatus, preparing chemical solutions for use in manufacturing or processing materials. They are required to set up a range of highly technical equipments, maintain them, and help operators in the use of such equipment. Analytical balances, gas chromotographs, vacuum chambers colorimeters are some examples with which chemical technologists work.
Civil Engineering technician
Civil Engineering technicians work in a range of civil engineering projects- highways, water and sewage facilities, drainage systems, railways, airports, subways, dams, bridges and tunnels. The task involves surveying, supervision, collecting data, designing, planning. Structural engineering technicians are involved in designing, planning, calculating, preparing draft plans and technical details.
Communication/telecommunication Engineering technician
This category has technicians who work on communication systems such as office equipments, navigation and flight control systems, signal and telecommunication equipments etc. They have an understanding of electrical measuring and testing devices, blueprints, circuit diagrams and the use of complex tools and gadgetry with which they work. They test, repair, and troubleshoot communication devices.
Electronic Engineering technician
Electronic engineering technicians work with industrial /consumer electronics in one of the following areas- product development, manufac-turing, service and maintenance. Equipments such as radar, navigational equipments, computers, radio, televisions, stereos, calculators are fabricated, operated, tested, and trouble shot. Electronic goods are changed, modified in circuitry by competent technician while the fresh entrants are involved in installation, assembly and maintenance of electronic equipment. Electronic technicians are known to specialise in instrumentation, computers and ancilliaries, nuclear reactor electronics, systems testing electronics.
Marine Services Technicians
Marine service technicians carry out checks /inspect, maintain and repair marine vessels. They learn about marine engines, transmissions, navigational equipment, electrical, propulsion and refrigeration systems.
Mechanical Engineering technician
Mechanical engineering technicians are employed in a very wide range of industries since machineries are required in every industry. After basic mechanical training they may specialise or learn on the job in product manufacturing, fluid mechanics, turbo machinery, energy mechanics etc. From design and development to testing, manufacture and tool design is their responsibility.
Plastic technicians
Plastic technicians work in the following areas – research and development, mould and tool making, manufacturing, sales and service.
Work Environment
Technicians work on shopfloor, in research labs and in clients premises. The task is often strenuous as it requires skill, precision, and patience. In chemicals factories the job can be hazourdous with toxic fumes while in airconditioning the task could involve significant amount of outdoor work often in the hot summer. Marine and aviation technicians too work in difficult weather conditions as substantial amount of work involves maintenance and repair. Handling of tools requires robust health. The long work schedules and responsibility is often very taxing. The work of technicians requires keeping deadlines which could be demanding.
Personal Characteristics
Technicians need mathematical and mechanical aptitude. They should be able to interpret abstract concepts, apply scientific principles from the design stage to the manufacturing processes. Their work involves coordinating with other workers hence patience and amiability for team work will be required. They should be able to interpret sketches and drawings and must have a basic aptitude to understand and work with mechanical equipments. Specialists need to understand the details of the working of the equipments they would be handling.
Chemical technicians need tremendous patience as often experiments have to be repeated. Their task requires both manual and intellectual capability. They need precision, skill and coordination , organisational skills, good vision and colour perception.
Employment Avenues
