Maintenance

Heating and ventilation engineer

Heating and ventilation engineers install and service heating and air conditioning in large buildings like factories, schools and hospitals.

Annual Salary

£20,000 to £35,000

Working hours

41 to 43 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends; as customers demand

1.1%
Future employment

There will be 1.1% fewer Heating and ventilation engineer jobs in 2027.
In your local area

What's it all about?

Day-to-day tasks

In this job, you'll:

  • fit heating equipment and pipework
  • install ductwork and ventilation systems
  • fit central heating systems in homes
  • design and install control panels that operate and adjust heating
  • plan and carry out regular maintenance and repairs
  • clean out older ventilation systems
  • make sure systems meet health and safety standards
  • work with renewable energy systems that use wind, tidal, solar, geothermal, biomass and hydrogen power

Working environment

You could work at a client's business or at a client's home.

Your working environment may be at height, cramped and you'll travel often.

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
College

You can take a college course to learn some of the skills needed in this job.

Courses include:

  • Level 2 Diploma in Plumbing and Heating
  • Level 3 Diploma Building Services Engineering
  • T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
For more information
Apprenticeship

You can get into this job by doing:

  • a building services engineering installer intermediate apprenticeship
  • a building services engineering craftsperson advanced apprenticeship

Apprenticeships can take 2 to 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
For more information

More information

Further information

You can get more advice about working and training in heating and ventilation from the Building and Engineering Services Association and the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers.

You could move into a managerial role, supervise a team of engineers, or work in technical sales.

With further training, you could become a building services engineer or facilities manager.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • knowledge of building and construction
  • analytical thinking skills
  • practical skills for installing equipment
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
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