The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Technical Apprenticeship (Electrical/Electronic/BMS)
2-4 yearsSkills to master
- Practical wiring, basic fault finding, understanding schematics, health & safety protocols, working with hand tools.
You're ready to move on when
- Completed an apprenticeship with strong references.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently on defined tasks.
- Good understanding of electrical safety and basic control systems.
- 2
Facilities Assistant / Maintenance Technician
1-3 yearsSkills to master
- General building maintenance, work order management, interacting with tenants, basic understanding of building systems (HVAC, lighting).
You're ready to move on when
- Experience with a CMMS/IWMS system for work orders.
- Track record of reliable maintenance work.
- Expressed interest in moving into the technology side of facilities.
- 3
IT Helpdesk / Junior IT Support
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Network troubleshooting, basic server/client support, customer service, ticket management, understanding of IP networks.
You're ready to move on when
- Good grasp of IT fundamentals and network basics.
- Strong problem-solving skills for technical issues.
- Desire to apply IT knowledge to physical infrastructure.