| 1. The industry | | | | So far, building services engineering jobs have |
| The building services and engineering sector | | | | escaped the economic downturn. This is because |
| undertakes around £20 billion of work every | | | | less spending has forced architects and building |
| year. It covers many industries, including: | | | | designers to push the boundaries of |
| electrotechnical, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, | | | | cost-effective design, whilst meeting |
| refrigeration and plumbing to name a few. | | | | environmental needs. To achieve their targets, it's |
| Currently there are over 600,000 employees | | | | essential for them to have highly skilled engineers |
| working in building services jobs around the UK. | | | | to hand, making building services jobs vital. |
| With around 50,000 businesses between them, | | | | The public sector has a lot to offer building |
| plumbing and electrotechnical companies account | | | | services jobs too. With a significant amount of |
| for a significant amount of all building services | | | | projects in the pipeline, such as the 2012 Olympics |
| engineering jobs. | | | | and the Thames Gateway regeneration, billions of |
| At any one time, there are 18,000 apprentices | | | | pounds are being put into construction. The 2012 |
| within the sector looking to gain the skills and | | | | Olympic Games has created 30,000 construction |
| experience needed to work to the high standards | | | | jobs alone - a number of which are building |
| required of building services jobs. | | | | services engineering jobs. |
| 2. What do building services jobs involve? | | | | The increased focus on renewable energy, |
| Building services engineering jobs have an | | | | sustainability and energy management, has also |
| important role to play in the responsible use of | | | | created new building services engineering jobs. |
| our natural resources, as well as public safety. | | | | This is because skilled workers are needed to |
| Some roles require that you are available for out | | | | install and maintain greener technologies. |
| of hours call out at evenings and weekends, but | | | | 4. What will employers look for? |
| usually the hours of work are Monday to Friday. | | | | An engineering qualification is usually required to |
| Although building services jobs tend to focus on | | | | apply for building services engineering jobs. |
| one energy system in a building, for example, | | | | Employers will often look for candidates with a |
| heating systems or electrical distribution, the roles | | | | degree in engineering. |
| are becoming increasingly multidisciplinary. The | | | | Building services jobs can be entered through a |
| other choices available include lighting, ventilation, | | | | range of degrees, including building environment |
| air-conditioning, water supply, sanitation, public | | | | engineering; electrical engineering, mechanical |
| health, fire protection, safety systems, lifts, | | | | engineering and other related degrees. |
| escalators, fa?ade engineering and even acoustics. | | | | With technology and the needs of the |
| Building services engineering jobs involve contact | | | | construction industry rapidly changing, employers |
| with a wide range of people at all levels. Travel | | | | will also be looking for adaptable people that can |
| during the working day is usually frequent and you | | | | rise to a challenge. So, if you have problem solving |
| can expect to find work in any building, from | | | | skills and a creative or technical mind, building |
| airports to private homes. | | | | services jobs could be ideal for you. |
| 3. Current climate | | | | |