Introduction
This post can be found in a typical highways engineering
consultancy or department, offering an opportunity for engineers
seeking to gain further training and experience on their way to
becoming qualified. Computer aided design staff (CAD) also may see
this as a stepping stone to an engineering career.
Work Environment
Technical assistants usually work in offices in the design or
traffic sections alongside engineers, IT technicians and traffic
survey enumerators. They will spend a lot of time at a computer
that is sometimes linked up with other designers, architects and
engineers in other directorates. They also travel to various work
sites that can be muddy and difficult when the weather is poor.
Protective clothing is provided.
Daily Activities
Everyday, technical assistants work on projects where they provide
general drawing office assistance within a group dealing with the
design of highway and traffic schemes. Most of the time is spent
producing and maintaining suitable plans, sketches, drawings and
diagrams required by other consultancy personnel. This entails
using the latest computer facilities including the direct operation
of terminals. They are also expected to:
- file, photocopy and print CAD drawings in accordance with the
requirements of the group;
- visit construction sites and highway works;
- prepare, supervise, analyse and report on traffic surveys,
including liaising with other organisations and supervising
temporary staff;
- liaise with other sections of environment and transport and
planning;
- attend in a "support to expert" role at public consultations,
public inquiries and meetings.
During the course of their duties, technical assistants carry
out research into the best possible locations for traffic surveys
and the siting of enumerators while bearing in mind safety aspects.
They may have to answer questions from the public regarding public
consultations and design matters and give general advice to staff
about the use of complex software systems. They will need to plan
ahead and assist with exhibitions. It is also necessary for them to
come up with new ideas for advising elected members and the public
as to the preferred design solutions through drawing or
diagrammatic means. They are responsible for producing these aids
for presentation at public meetings regarding, for example, new
traffic schemes.
Skills & Interests
It is essential for a basic competence at the job that technical
assistants have:
- good numeracy skills (for calculating estimates for tender
bids/costings);
- literacy skills for writing project reports;
- ability to produce drawings to scale;
- up-to-date understanding of various new procedures, techniques
and legislation;
- a complete grasp of general office equipment and computer
terminal drawing facilities;
- working knowledge of surveying equipment for site
visits;
- knowledge of safety requirements when working close to
highways;
- presentation skills and ability to produce effective visual
aids;
- ability to train others on the specialist use of drawing
software;
- negotiating and conciliation ability to reconcile clients to
what the law demands;
- ability to work unsupervised.
Entry Requirements
A minimum of 4 GCSEs at C grade is essential. You would also be
expected to have an understanding of Civil Engineering practices
and procedures and a working knowledge of computer drawing
facilities. Two years relevant experience within a highways
engineering or similar environment is desirable.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
There are opportunities for advancement as indicated in the
introduction to this profile. A technical assistant can work up to
Engineering Technician, Incorporated Engineer and Chartered
Engineer with further training, qualifications and professional
reviews with an engineering body such as the Institution of Civil
Engineers. In-house training is often provided.
Further Information & Services
E-skills www.e-skills.com
The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation www.ciht.org.uk
Institute for the Management of Information Systems www.imis.org.uk
Institute of Highway Engineers www.ihie.org.uk
Institution of Civil Engineers www.ice.org.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.
Careers Wales have produced a Spotlight article on careers
in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths): https://www.careerswales.com/en/spotlight-on-stem/