The main qualification levels in the building services engineering sector are: - National Vocational Qualifications / Scottish Vocational Qualifications*
- National Certificate / National Diploma
- Higher National Certificate / Higher National Diploma
- Degree level - BEng and MSc
*The Summitskills qualifications chart shows the range of NVQs and SVQs available in the sector. 
Things to be aware of before you start your training Your Training Options CIBSE accredited courses and recognised degress: We have put all of our accredited CIBSE courses and recognised degrees on this page to make it easy for you to find the right course, University or college for you. The links below will take you to a list of courses and providers that will enable you to gain either your full membership, Associate or Licentiate membership with CIBSE. Tip!
To become a full chartered building services engineer you will need to read 'Member Educational Base' very carefully!
Member Educational Base
Associate Educational Base
Licentiate Educational Base Foundation Degrees (FDs) 
Employers want education that offers flexibility for their staff to participate with minimal disruption to their work and that delivers knowledge and skills that are relevant and up-to-date. Qualifications and recognition through membership of an appropriate professional institution are important to some employers and individuals. Foundation Degrees (FDs) can offer all these things. FDs are vocationally related qualifications with work-based elements that are broadly equivalent to the first two years of a degree (slightly higher than HND) and recognised as qualifications in their own right. For those who want an honours degree and/or professional institution membership it may be possible to ‘top up’ from appropriate FDs to achieve a full honours degree or incorporated engineer status. Click here for more information from SummitSkills Modern Apprenticeships, HVCA & BEST The Heating Ventilating Contractors Association (HVCA) has published a career booklet to assist new entrants of all ages, graduates and career changers in making an informed choice on entering on a career in the Building Services Engineering Sector. This is complimented by a website at www.hvca.org.uk/mycareer which offers the same depth of information in an electronic format. The HVCA also has Building Engineering Services Training Ltd (BEST) in their group of companies.
BEST recruits young people into the HVCA industry, and facilitates the delivery of training and achievement of the National and Scottish Vocational qualifications (NVQ/SVQ's) and Advanced and Foundation Modern Apprenticeships operating nationally through a network of experienced training advisers.  BEST aims to maximise training funding - and optimise the return which employers receive from their investment in new entrant training. BEST Training Advisers provide a liaison service between employers, colleges and public funding bodies, and will monitor the progress of apprentices.
The services BEST offer include recruitment, initial assessment, induction training, college course advice, progress reviews at college and on site, mentoring, key skills support, health & safety monitoring and guidance and financial support for training.
For further info on BEST visit their website by clicking: BEST or contact Carmen Moore who is their Marketing Manager on Tel: 01628 607818 or e- mail her at
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14-19 Diplomas SummitSkills has worked in conjunction with partner Sector Skills Councils to develop two new diplomas for 14-19 year olds, which launched in September 2008. Click on the images below to find out about each one: 
These new qualifications will provide a chance for young people to find out about and develop skills of use in broad industry sectors before they make a commitment to a specific career. Many employers, as well as representatives of schools, colleges and universities, made valuable contributions towards the initial development of outline content, to ensure the qualifications will meet industry needs. Employer input will continue to be important to ensure learners have access to appropriate work related learning, including work experience. For more information you can email Catherine Elliott at SummitSkills. CIBSE-approved Employer Training Schemes
Some companies offer a CIBSE-approved training programme. Please contact Olwen Williams
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or direct dial 020 8772 3605 for more information. Please note that: Employees following an approved employer based training scheme towards CEng must be Graduate members of CIBSE, towards IEng must have a Foundation Degree, HNC or equivalent and be Student or Licentiate members of CIBSE. Employees following an approved employer based training scheme towards Licentiate/EngTech must have the appropriate qualification and be Student or Affiliate members of CIBSE. Old Apprenticeships 
For those aged between 16 and 19 years old an apprenticeship scheme is the best way to start a career in the building services sector. Click here to visit the SummitSkills website or click on the image to visit the Appreticeships website. What kind of person do you need to be? - Are you good with your hands?
- Are you prepared to undertake a physically demanding job, working in a variety of environments, at site, at heights and in all sorts of weather?
- Do you have full colour vision? *
- Are you presentable and of smart appearance?
- Are you able to work both individually as well as in a team?
- Are you able and willing to follow all safety instructions given by a person in authority?
- Are you a good communicator with the ability to take direction and advice?
How long does it take?
Your training will take between three and four years. |
