Hi Ive got a 4 year electrical engineering apprenticeship with a national company starting in September.

Is it correct to assume ill be an "electrical engineer technician" because the education in my apprenticeship only requires day release at college while to be an "electrical engineer" requires a degree.

Or would i be working towards a degree level qualification in my apprenticeship. I only ask because ive never come across HNC's and HND's.

Also how does an electrical engineering technician compare to that of an electrician? Both roles require the same amount of time studying, but is there more scope for jobs in one role than the other?

I see on the JIB rates technician is £14 an hour while electrician is £12. As an electrical engineer technician would i be classed under "technician" in the JIB rates?

And if i wanted to become an electrician down the road is it a small step between the two roles or would it require another couple of years studying/working? I already have the 2330 L3, Part P and 17th regs, 2392 level 2 inspection and testing.

many thanks if you can help clear it up in my mind

Edit: Oh and would i be able to register as an engineer at the end of my apprenticeship?

I think you will need to ask your new employer what courses they plan on sending you on. Everything is a progression, so they wouldnt want to put the cart before the horse. I would imagine they would send you on a ONC before HNC. This could then be topped up to HND and then finally a degree years down the line.
JIB wise, its electrician (you will need nvq for this), then technician after 5 years of good track record.
You could probably register for EngTech afterwards, or IEng after HNC and a few years of experience in a suitable role.
Unfortunatly, Engineer is not a protected tiitle. Councils would have you believe there are refuse 'engineers' (bin men)!
Generally, in a professional role or as part of an engineering practise, people would expect you to have at LEAST a degree if you started calling yourself an Electrical engineer rather than an electrician. Remember not everything can be learnt from a book.
P

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Lack of planning on your part doesn't make it an emergency on mine....

Every man has to know his limitations- Dirty Harry

Apprenticeships are generally entitled for Technician. The title Technician is considered as senior than the title Electrician. To get registration for Engineering Technician officially, you need to do the British National Diploma/Higher National Diploma at least or equivalent. If you have sufficient required experience and have reached at at level in industry or field equivalent to the requirments of Engineering Technician title at ECUK, then you may considered but you have to go through from the professional interview. I believe that after getting the title of Engineering Technician, you would be able to earn more.

The Fresh Electrical Engineer having Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering or Technology are considered for Incorporated Engineer and definitely you have to do a lot to get that title, means, you can't say yourself as Electrical Engineer without your formal Bachelor degree or equivalent job status with enough experience.

Good Luck.

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Nouman Abid Chuhan
HND Engg (UK) B.Tech Hons (Pak) MIET (UK)
+923334451158