{"id":3012,"date":"2023-03-02T08:00:59","date_gmt":"2023-03-02T07:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/?p=3012"},"modified":"2024-07-22T11:02:45","modified_gmt":"2024-07-22T10:02:45","slug":"telecommunications-career-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/telecommunications-career-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Telecommunications Career Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"my-auto col-lg-8\">\n<p>Telecommunications (telecoms) is the transfer of data using electronic transmission through radio, telephone, video, satellite, internet, cable and television. The telecoms industry contributes over \u00a335 billion to the UK economy, with high-speed internet and mobile phone services dominating this fast-moving industry. Jobs span the whole telecoms process, from selling and customer care to supplying and maintaining connectivity.This career guide will focus on three job roles in the telecommunications industry: telecoms engineer, telecommunication researcher and telecoms rigger.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"my-auto text-center col-lg-4\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid\" src=\"\/explore\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/photo_2023-03-01_18-10-20.jpg\" alt=\"Telecommunications Career Guide\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h3 font-weight-bold\">Potential Roles in Telecommunications<\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p>The telecoms industry offers a range of career paths and jobs, from office-based roles to hands-on work fitting and maintaining equipment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Telecom engineers<\/strong> travel around to residential or commercial customer sites, installing and maintaining the equipment needed to supply services like broadband, telephone and satellite TV to customers. <a href=\"\/[[country]]\/telecoms-engineer-jobs\">Telecoms engineer jobs<\/a> are well-suited to people who enjoy manual work but have good technical knowledge and can think on their feet.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Telecommunications researchers<\/strong> investigate and develop new services and technologies in the telecoms space. A <a href=\"\/[[country]]\/telecom-researcher-jobs\">telecommunications researcher job<\/a> involves keeping up to speed with developments in telecom technology, following what industry competitors are doing, and finding new ways to develop or advance services. You can work in the commercial sector for telecom companies or publish academic research.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Telecoms riggers<\/strong> set up the large structures required to support electronic data transfer. Riggers use machinery and equipment, like cranes, ropes and pulleys, to move and position telecoms masts, towers and transmitters, and other heavy and oversized objects. A <a href=\"\/[[country]]\/\/rigger-jobs\">job as a rigger<\/a> is physically demanding and requires a high fitness level.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h3 font-weight-bold\">Salary and Career Progression<\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Many jobs in the telecommunication industry offer opportunities for progression, and the vast range of job roles is reflected in the varying salaries across the sector.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Telecom engineers<\/strong> can work their way up to senior roles, supervising or managing junior engineers or working on more complex projects. Some engineers might leave employment to start a business or contract for larger companies. Starting salaries are about \u00a323,000, rising to \u00a345,000 to \u00a355,000 with experience.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Telecommunications researchers<\/strong> can earn from \u00a318,000 for junior researcher roles to \u00a350,000 to \u00a360,000 with experience. Career progression and higher salaries are more likely with a commercial employer than with an academic institution. Senior researchers may specialise in one area of telecom technology and can attract higher salaries for their expertise.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Telecoms riggers<\/strong> can expect to earn around \u00a335,000 to \u00a350,000 and can progress to senior rigger roles with time and further training. Riggers can gain industry-specific certifications, which increase the chance of securing more senior job roles and climbing the career ladder.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h3 font-weight-bold\">Qualifications, Education and Experience<\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Telecom engineers<\/strong> typically have a high level of education and qualifications. The following may be helpful:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>4-5 GCSEs grades 4-9 (C-A**)<\/li>\n<li>2-3 A Levels to access university<\/li>\n<li>A Bachelor\u2019s degree in a relevant subject, like electronic engineering, maths or computer science<\/li>\n<li>Alternatively, an HND in a relevant subject or other relevant qualification<\/li>\n<li>Postgraduate qualifications may be beneficial for some roles<\/li>\n<li>Qualifications recognised by the Institute of Engineering and Technology are desirable<\/li>\n<li>Senior telecoms engineers may gain Chartered Engineer status<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Telecommunications researchers<\/strong> generally reach a high level of further education after leaving school. The following education and qualifications may be beneficial:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>4-5 GCSEs grades 4-9 (C-A**)<\/li>\n<li>2-3 A Levels to access a university course<\/li>\n<li>A Bachelor\u2019s degree in an industry-relevant subject, like telecommunications, electrical engineering or Information Technology<\/li>\n<li>An HND may be accepted for some roles but is less desirable than a Bachelor\u2019s degree<\/li>\n<li>Postgraduate studies, like a Master\u2019s degree or PhD, can be advantageous for senior roles or work in academia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Telecoms riggers<\/strong> must pass a medical exam, as the work can be dangerous, and riggers must have a good level of physical fitness to perform their jobs safely. Riggers need specific industry training and can study for a range of qualifications. Desirable qualifications, education and experience include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Some GCSEs<\/li>\n<li>An apprenticeship in a relevant field, like Steelwork or Engineering<\/li>\n<li>Wince Training<\/li>\n<li>Asbestos Awareness training<\/li>\n<li>Radio Frequency Awareness training<\/li>\n<li>Working at Heights certification<\/li>\n<li>City &amp; Guilds qualifications, for example, in Fibre Installations or another relevant area<\/li>\n<li>First Aid at Heights certification<\/li>\n<li>Rooftop Safety training<\/li>\n<li>Some employers may ask for previous experience working as a rigger or in another role working at heights<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"text-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid img-thumbnail\" src=\"\/explore\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/photo_2023-03-01_18-10-22.jpg\" alt=\"Skills\" \/><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h3 font-weight-bold\">Skills<\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Telecom engineers<\/strong> must have excellent technical skills but also be able to communicate their findings or reports to people with limited technical knowledge. Valuable skills for a telecoms engineer include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Advanced technical know-how<\/li>\n<li>Good at problem-solving<\/li>\n<li>Naturally inquisitive<\/li>\n<li>Excellent communication skills<\/li>\n<li>Good time management skills<\/li>\n<li>Ability to prioritise workload<\/li>\n<li>Interested in developments in the technology and telecoms industries<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Telecommunications researchers<\/strong> must be self-motivated and enjoy writing and academia. Other valuable skills include the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Excellent writing skills<\/li>\n<li>Good time management and organisational skills<\/li>\n<li>Ability to prioritise workload<\/li>\n<li>Analytical thinking<\/li>\n<li>Confidence in presenting findings to stakeholders<\/li>\n<li>Enjoys reading and writing and academic working<\/li>\n<li>Happy to work alone in deep-focused work and as part of a wider team<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Telecoms riggers<\/strong> have demanding jobs and must have specific skills to work safely and effectively. Key skills include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Good knowledge of maths<\/li>\n<li>Willingness to work outdoors in all weathers<\/li>\n<li>Physical fitness and strength, with sound vision and hearing<\/li>\n<li>Being happy to work at heights<\/li>\n<li>A team player<\/li>\n<li>Respect for health and safety regulations<\/li>\n<li>Able to drive and holds a clean driving license to travel to sites<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h3 font-weight-bold\">Working Hours<\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p>In most cases, telecom professionals typically work office hours. However, the telecommunications industry keeps the national and global population connected 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so the sector is always active. People who manually maintain and fit equipment may need to work shifts to provide out-of-hours cover for significant issues or outages.<\/p>\n<p>Those who work in an office-based role, like researchers or sales executives, only work office hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h3 font-weight-bold\">Notable Locations<\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p>The UK\u2019s biggest telecom companies have multiple office locations nationally, and many also offer opportunities to work overseas. UK city locations include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>London<\/li>\n<li>Newbury<\/li>\n<li>Stoke-on-Trent<\/li>\n<li>Reading<\/li>\n<li>Gateshead<\/li>\n<li>Bradford<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Telecom field workers, including engineers and riggers, may be required to travel to different locations to erect structures in suitable areas.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h3 font-weight-bold\">Notable Companies<\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<ul>\n<li>Vodafone: UK-based company providing mobile phone services globally. HQ is in London, and there are several other office locations around the UK and the world, including in India, Spain and South Africa<\/li>\n<li>Virgin Media: employs experts across different areas of telecoms and offers training and flexible working, with a four-day working week as standard<\/li>\n<li>ICS GROUP: Essex-based telecommunications specialist company providing rigging and construction services to the UK\u2019s leading telecoms suppliers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h3 font-weight-bold\">Next Steps<\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p><a href=\"\/jbe\/create\">Sign up<\/a> to JobLookup for the latest telecommunication jobs straight to your inbox. To start your job search today, read <a href=\"\/explore\/the-ultimate-jobseeker-guide\/\">The Ultimate Jobseeker Guide<\/a> for tips and advice on landing your next role.<\/p>\n<p>Read our career guide for the lowdown on a career in the Telecommunications industry &#8211; the desired skillset and qualifications, potential roles, career progression, notable companies and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Telecommunications (telecoms) is the transfer of data using electronic transmission through radio, telephone, video, satellite, internet, cable and television. The telecoms industry contributes over \u00a335 &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3013,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3012","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sectors"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3012","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3012"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3012\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3383,"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3012\/revisions\/3383"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3013"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3012"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3012"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3012"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}