Building technician
Employ workers and buy materials for construction projects to get the best quality at the lowest price.
Also known as: site technician, construction estimator
About the job
What it's like
You would employ workers and buy materials for construction projects to get the best quality at the lowest price for your clients.
You’d support building managers to make sure that each stage of the construction project is completed on time.
You would:
Estimate costs for materials, labour, equipment and overheads for use in bids for tenders
Work with suppliers to negotiate and buy materials, equipment and labour at the best prices
Check the quality of suppliers
Help to plan which methods to use for each construction stage
Draft construction plans and blueprints using computer aided design (CAD) software
Monitor building progress against agreed completion dates
Prepare construction sites before work begins
Supervise teams of building contractors on site
Throught a project there would be regular update meetings with site managers and the clients which you’d also attend.
You’d have a good understanding of health and safety issues, and of building regulations.
Hours
You could work up to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Evening and weekend working may be necessary to meet deadlines.
Environment
You would normally be office based, but you may have to make site visits when overseeing building preparations and supervising workers. You would be expected to wear protective clothing when on site.
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Energy Construction and built environment
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- construction
- civil engineering
- auditing
- construction management
- construction estimating
- site inspection
- subcontracting
- quantity take-offs
- engineering drawings
- textiles
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- understanding
- negotiating
- delegating
- time management
- managing resources
- developing a plan
- problem solving
- creative
- verbal communication
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Design and Manufacture
Engineering Science
Practical Craft Skills
Skills for Work: Building Services Engineering
Foundation Apprenticeship: Automotive
Foundation Apprenticeship: Construction
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
You could do a Modern Apprenticeship and/or Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) in a construction-related subject.
Entry requirement for a Modern Apprenticeship usually requires National 5 qualifications (SCQF level 5).
Entry to a Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) usually requires National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers.
Once employed, depending on your duties, you could take a range of work-based qualifications:
National Vocational Qualification Diploma in Construction Site Supervision (NVQ level 3)
Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations (NVQ level 3)
Diploma in Construction Site Management (NVQ level 6)
Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations Management (NVQ level 6)
If you work in construction you may be able to qualify up to technician level with further on-the-job training.
Staff on construction sites must hold a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent. You will need to pass a health and safety test to qualify for this scheme.
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