Teachers and lecturers
Networks & Connectivity careers: a guide for teachers and lecturers
Digital Highways & Comms
About this guide
This guide is for teachers and lecturers who advise students on careers in Networks & Connectivity.
It is built from the TechSkills Career Matrix and Career Planner. Every pay, hiring and funding figure shows its source and the date it was checked. Where our data has a gap, the guide says so.
- Areas of work covered
- 8
- Apprenticeship standards listed
- 9
- Produced by
- TechSkills, techskills.org
Networks & Connectivity at a glance
| No. | Area of work | What it covers | Example roles | Pay range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Network Engineering | Designing and managing the routers, switches, and firewalls of major organisations. | Network Engineer, NOC Analyst, Network Architect, LAN/WAN Specialist | £27,000 to £85,000+ |
| 02 | Telecommunications (5G) | The world of wireless, mobile, and next-gen cellular connectivity. | Telecoms Engineer, Radio Planning Engineer, Field Engineer, Core Network Engineer | £32,500 to £87,000+ |
| 03 | Digital Infrastructure (Fibre) | The physical world of fibre-optic cables that link cities and continents. | Fibre Technician, Planning Officer, Submarine Cable Engineer | £28,500 to £91,500+ |
| 04 | IoT & Wireless Tech | Connecting billions of smart devices, from meters to satellites. | IoT Solutions Architect, Wireless Specialist, Satellite Comm Engineer | £37,000 to £80,000+ |
| 05 | Software Defined (SDN) | The modern way of managing networks via code rather than physical cables. | NetDevOps Engineer, SDN Architect, Cloud Networking | £52,500 to £85,000+ |
| 06 | Emerging Tech | Pioneering the next wave, from Quantum Comms to 6G. | Quantum Comms Engineer, 6G Researcher, Mesh Network Architect | £60,000 to £110,000+ |
| 07 | Network Security & Access Control | Designing firewalls, VPNs, and zero-trust access controls that stop threats moving across a network. | Network Security Engineer, Firewall Administrator, Zero Trust Architect, VPN Specialist | £46,000 to £102,000+ |
| 08 | Enterprise & Unified Communications | Designing the voice, video, and collaboration infrastructure that keeps distributed teams and customers connected. | UC Engineer, VoIP Specialist, Collaboration Platform Lead, Contact Centre Engineer | £32,750 to £70,000+ |
Pay ranges come from job advert data. The source for each range is shown with the area of work in the next section.
The areas of work, one by one
01 Network Engineering
- What it is
- Designing and managing the routers, switches, and firewalls of major organisations.
- Example roles
- Network Engineer, NOC Analyst, Network Architect, LAN/WAN Specialist
- Skills used
- CCNA/CCNP; Routing/Switching; OSPF/BGP; Firewalls; Python
- Who it suits
- Analytical minds who enjoy the 'plumbing' and flow of digital information.
- Example of the work
- Designing the secure internal network for a new multi-site headquarters.
- What shows someone can do it
- Ability to design and maintain the routing and switching infrastructure an entire organisation depends on.
- Sectors that hire
- Financial Services, Government & Public Sector, Telecommunications, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Manufacturing & Engineering
- Pay
- £27,000 to £85,000+. Source: IT Jobs Watch: Junior Network Engineer to Network Architect medians; ONS ASHE median £45,079, IT network professionals.
Apprenticeship route: Network Engineer, Apprenticeship Route
- What it is
- Install and maintain real organisational networks and provide technical support to users, for a real employer, from day one, rather than studying networking theory first.
- Example roles
- Network Engineer Apprentice, Junior NOC Analyst, Associate Network Engineer
- What suits this route
- Comfortable learning on the job with structured mentoring rather than lecture based study; Wants to earn a wage and avoid student debt while training; Can meet real employer entry requirements, typically GCSEs or A levels rather than a completed degree
- Pay
- £20,000 to £45,000. Source: Network Engineer apprentice to newly-qualified Network Engineer, Glassdoor/Payscale UK.
| Standard | Reference | Level | Typical length | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Network Engineer | ST0127 | Level 4 | 24 months | 10 August 2026 |
02 Telecommunications (5G)
- What it is
- The world of wireless, mobile, and next-gen cellular connectivity.
- Example roles
- Telecoms Engineer, Radio Planning Engineer, Field Engineer, Core Network Engineer
- Skills used
- LTE/5G NR; RF Engineering; Wireless Planning; MIMO; SDN
- Who it suits
- Innovators interested in mobile tech and the future of wireless comms.
- Example of the work
- Deploying a private 5G network for an automated shipping port.
- What shows someone can do it
- Ability to plan and deploy wireless network coverage that meets real-world capacity demands.
- Sectors that hire
- Telecommunications, Transport & Logistics, Manufacturing & Engineering, Media & Entertainment, Government & Public Sector
- Pay
- £32,500 to £87,000+. Source: IT Jobs Watch: Field Telecoms Engineer median to RF Engineer/Core Network Engineer range; ONS ASHE median £39,652, telecoms network installers.
03 Digital Infrastructure (Fibre)
- What it is
- The physical world of fibre-optic cables that link cities and continents.
- Example roles
- Fibre Technician, Planning Officer, Submarine Cable Engineer
- Skills used
- Splicing; OTDR Testing; Civil Works; Fibre Planning; GIS
- Who it suits
- Practical problem solvers who enjoy hands-on work in the field.
- Example of the work
- Laying a new 500km submarine cable between two financial hubs.
- What shows someone can do it
- Ability to plan, splice and test physical fibre links that carry a network's traffic.
- Sectors that hire
- Telecommunications, Construction & Civil Engineering, Government & Public Sector, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services
- Pay
- £28,500 to £91,500+. Source: IT Jobs Watch: Fibre Engineer range; Submarine Cable Engineer, ERI Economic Research Institute, no IT Jobs Watch page for this niche title.
Apprenticeship route: Telecoms & Fibre Field Engineering
- What it is
- Install, splice, test and maintain the fibre-optic and cellular infrastructure that carries the UK's broadband and mobile traffic, from splicing cabinets on a street corner to commissioning a 5G mast.
- Example roles
- Network Cable Installer, Telecoms Field Operative, Fibre Jointer, Cellular Network Field Engineer
- What suits this route
- Comfortable working outdoors, at height, or in confined spaces (ducts, cabinets, masts); Methodical fault-finding under time pressure; Holds or can obtain relevant site safety certification (e.g. CSCS)
- Pay
- £23,000 to £60,000. Source: ITP range for Cellular Network Field Engineer; ONS ASHE median £39,652 for the wider occupation.
| Standard | Reference | Level | Typical length | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rail Engineering Technician (Signalling & Telecoms) | ST0318 | Level 3 | Not given | 30 July 2026 |
| Network Cable Installer | ST0485 | Level 3 | 14 months | 29 July 2026 |
| Telecoms Field Operative | ST0832 | Level 2 | 15 months | 29 July 2026 |
| Cellular Network Field Engineer (CNFE) | ST1299 | Level 4 | 36 months | 29 July 2026 |
| Wireless Communications Rigger | ST0616 | Level 2 | 18 months | 31 July 2026 |
04 IoT & Wireless Tech
- What it is
- Connecting billions of smart devices, from meters to satellites.
- Example roles
- IoT Solutions Architect, Wireless Specialist, Satellite Comm Engineer
- Skills used
- LoRaWAN; Zigbee; Bluetooth LE; LPWAN; MQTT
- Who it suits
- Developers interested in the intersection of hardware and networking.
- Example of the work
- Connecting 100,000 smart water meters across a rural county.
- What shows someone can do it
- Ability to connect and manage large fleets of low-power, low-bandwidth devices reliably.
- Sectors that hire
- Manufacturing & Engineering, Energy & Utilities, Agriculture, Transport & Logistics, Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Pay
- £37,000 to £80,000+. Source: IT Jobs Watch: Communications Engineer median used as proxy for Satellite Comm Engineer, no dedicated listing; IoT Architect and Wireless Network Engineer range.
Apprenticeship route: Smart Buildings
- What it is
- Buildings are becoming connected, automated and energy-managed. Install and commission the fire, security and building energy management systems that keep them safe and efficient: hands-on work in plant rooms and on site, not behind a desk.
- Example roles
- Fire & Security Systems Technician, BEMS Controls Engineer, Building Automation Installer
- What suits this route
- Comfortable working in plant rooms, roof spaces and on scaffolding/access equipment; Methodical, safety-first approach to electrical and fire-system work; Interested in how a building's systems fit together, not just one device
- Pay
- £37,991+. Source: median, Security System Installers and Repairers.
| Standard | Reference | Level | Typical length | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Emergency and Security Systems Technician | ST0189 | Level 3 | 36 months | 30 July 2026 |
| BEMS (Building Energy Management Systems) Controls Engineer | ST0629 | Level 4 | 36 months | 30 July 2026 |
| Lift and Escalator Engineering | ST0252 | Level 3 | Not given | 31 July 2026 |
05 Software Defined (SDN)
- What it is
- The modern way of managing networks via code rather than physical cables.
- Example roles
- NetDevOps Engineer, SDN Architect, Cloud Networking
- Skills used
- Python/Go; SD-WAN; API Design; Linux; NetDevOps
- Who it suits
- Coders who want to build the 'intelligence' into the network.
- Example of the work
- Automating a global office network to re-route traffic during outages.
- What shows someone can do it
- Ability to manage and reconfigure a network's behaviour through code rather than physical changes.
- Sectors that hire
- Telecommunications, Financial Services, Technology & Software, Government & Public Sector, Retail & E-commerce
- Pay
- £52,500 to £85,000+. Source: IT Jobs Watch: Software-Defined Networking keyword median; Cloud Network Engineer and Senior Network Architect range.
06 Emerging Tech
- What it is
- Pioneering the next wave, from Quantum Comms to 6G.
- Example roles
- Quantum Comms Engineer, 6G Researcher, Mesh Network Architect
- Skills used
- Quantum Crypto; 6G Research; HAP (High Altitude); Mesh Nets
- Who it suits
- Researchers who want to build what doesn't exist yet.
- Example of the work
- Testing the first quantum-secured video call in the UK.
- What shows someone can do it
- Ability to prototype and evaluate next-generation communications technology ahead of standardisation.
- Sectors that hire
- Telecommunications, Aerospace & Defence, Technology & Software, Critical National Infrastructure, Government & Public Sector
- Pay
- £60,000 to £110,000+. Source: no IT Jobs Watch page exists for these niche/speculative titles; proxied via Research Engineer and Research Scientist medians, IT Jobs Watch; UK quantum professionals reported £70,000–£110,000, Quantum Jobs List industry survey.
07 Network Security & Access Control
- What it is
- Designing firewalls, VPNs, and zero-trust access controls that stop threats moving across a network.
- Example roles
- Network Security Engineer, Firewall Administrator, Zero Trust Architect, VPN Specialist
- Skills used
- Firewalls and VPNs; Zero Trust Architecture; Network Segmentation; Access Control
- Who it suits
- Defensive thinkers who enjoy building barriers attackers can't get past.
- Example of the work
- Stops attackers moving laterally once they've breached the perimeter.
- What shows someone can do it
- Ability to design access controls that stop an attacker moving laterally once inside the perimeter.
- Sectors that hire
- Financial Services, Government & Public Sector, Critical National Infrastructure, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Telecommunications
- Pay
- £46,000 to £102,000+. Source: IT Jobs Watch: Network Security Engineer and Firewall Engineer medians; Security Architect used as proxy for Zero Trust Architect.
08 Enterprise & Unified Communications
- What it is
- Designing the voice, video, and collaboration infrastructure that keeps distributed teams and customers connected.
- Example roles
- UC Engineer, VoIP Specialist, Collaboration Platform Lead, Contact Centre Engineer
- Skills used
- VoIP/SIP; Video Conferencing Platforms; Contact Centre Tech; QoS Management
- Who it suits
- Practical engineers who enjoy making complex comms systems feel simple to use.
- Example of the work
- Keeps large organisations talking, meeting, and serving customers without disruption.
- What shows someone can do it
- Ability to keep voice, video and collaboration tools running reliably for a whole organisation.
- Sectors that hire
- Telecommunications, Financial Services, Government & Public Sector, Retail & E-commerce, Professional & Consulting Services
- Pay
- £32,750 to £70,000+. Source: IT Jobs Watch: VoIP Engineer England range; Unified Communications Engineer median, no dedicated listing for Collaboration Platform Lead/Contact Centre Engineer.
Routes into the field
| Route | What it is | Cost and pay |
|---|---|---|
| Apprenticeships | Earn while they train through structured learning that combines workplace experience with recognised development. | their employer (or the government, via the apprenticeship levy and co-investment) pays for all their training and assessment costs directly to the provider, they are never billed for tuition, and they don't take out a loan for it. Apprentices are paid at least the apprentice minimum wage of £8.00 an hour. |
| Degrees | Build strong technical foundations through longer-form study with opportunities to specialise and progress academically. | Covers their tuition fees in full, paid directly to their university or college, not means-tested, so every eligible student can borrow the same amount regardless of household income. Repayments under Plan 5 are 9% of income above £25,000 a year, and the loan is written off after 40 years. |
| Bootcamps & Intensive Training | We don't currently have any Tech Industry Gold accredited bootcamp providers - accelerate their move into tech via the government's own Skills Bootcamps programme instead: free, flexible courses up to 16 weeks, built around employability. | Free to the learner. Up to 16 weeks. Available across England. |
| Flexible Learning (Apprenticeship Units) | Build relevant tech skills through shorter, flexible learning without committing to a full programme from the start. | Shorter, flexible training. Focused, in-demand skills. Aligned to employer needs. Can build toward larger qualifications. |
- Apprenticeships: Explore Apprenticeships
- Degrees: Find Degrees
- Bootcamps & Intensive Training: Find a Skills Bootcamp (gov.uk)
- Flexible Learning (Apprenticeship Units): Explore Flexible Learning
- Who pays for an apprenticeship
- Employers with an annual pay bill over £3 million pay into the apprenticeship levy, topped up by government, to fund training. Smaller employers get most of the cost covered through government co-investment, and from the 2026/27 funding year, training for under-25s at these smaller, non-levy-paying employers is fully funded.
- Apprentice minimum wage
- £8.00 an hour: the National Minimum Wage apprentice rate, which applies if they're under 19, or 19+ and in the first year of their apprenticeship (from 1 April 2026). Once they're 19+ and past their first year, they move to the normal age-based National Minimum Wage (up to £12.71/hour for ages 21+ from April 2026), many employers pay well above the legal minimum.
Funding sources: gov.uk: Apprenticeship funding rules and assessment plan guidance, 2026 to 2027 (checked 20 July 2026); gov.uk: Student finance for undergraduates, gov.uk: Repaying your student loan; gov.uk: How interest is calculated, Plan 5 (checked 20 July 2026). Rates change each year, so confirm current figures on gov.uk before quoting them.
Apprenticeship standards in this career family
| Reference | Standard | Level | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| ST0616 | Wireless Communications Rigger | Level 2 | 18 months |
| ST0832 | Telecoms Field Operative | Level 2 | 15 months |
| ST0189 | Fire Emergency and Security Systems Technician | Level 3 | 36 months |
| ST0252 | Lift and Escalator Engineering | Level 3 | Not given |
| ST0318 | Rail Engineering Technician (Signalling & Telecoms) | Level 3 | Not given |
| ST0485 | Network Cable Installer | Level 3 | 14 months |
| ST0127 | Network Engineer | Level 4 | 24 months |
| ST0629 | BEMS (Building Energy Management Systems) Controls Engineer | Level 4 | 36 months |
| ST1299 | Cellular Network Field Engineer (CNFE) | Level 4 | 36 months |
- ST0616 Wireless Communications RiggerThe field-based rigging role behind mast infrastructure work: climbing and working at height to install and maintain the physical antennas, cabling and hardware that make up the UK's cellular network sites.
- ST0832 Telecoms Field OperativeWorks on the copper/fibre National Telecom Access Network. Typical job titles include Fibre Jointer and External Network Cabler.
- ST0189 Fire Emergency and Security Systems TechnicianDesigns, installs, commissions and maintains electronic fire, security and emergency systems. Four specialisation pathways: Fire, Security, Fire & Emergency Lighting, Fire & Security.
- ST0252 Lift and Escalator EngineeringInstalls, maintains and modernises lifts and escalators: wiring, PLC-based control systems and safety/braking logic in shafts and motor rooms. A separate, related standard (ST0251, Stairlift/Platform Lift/Service Lift Electromechanic) covers smaller-scale accessibility lifts specifically.
- ST0318 Rail Engineering Technician (Signalling & Telecoms)Covers the same field cabling and signal equipment skills as telecoms field work, applied to trackside signalling and rail telecoms rather than broadband and mobile networks. Signalling and Telecoms are two of its specialisms.
- ST0485 Network Cable InstallerInstalls, terminates, tests and certifies fibre and copper network cable infrastructure. Typical job titles include Network Cable Installer, Structured Cabling Installer and Telecoms Cable Installer.
- ST0127 Network EngineerThe core UK apprenticeship standard for network engineering: install networks, maintain them, and offer technical support to users. Progresses toward the Digital and Technology Solutions specialist integrated degree.
- ST0629 BEMS (Building Energy Management Systems) Controls EngineerDesigns, installs, commissions and maintains the building energy management systems that control HVAC and electrical systems for energy efficiency.
- ST1299 Cellular Network Field Engineer (CNFE)Installs, maintains and optimises 4G/5G electrical, RF and fibre systems on mast infrastructure. The progression route beyond initial cable installation.
Pay and hiring
| Level | Median pay | 25th to 75th percentile | Salaries in sample | Source | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | £30,000 | Not given | 7 | IT Jobs Watch: Junior Network Engineer (UK) | 6 months to 11 Jul 2026 |
| Mid-level | £60,000 | £47,500 to £70,000 | 783 | IT Jobs Watch: Network Engineer (UK) | 6 months to 11 Jul 2026 |
| Senior | £65,576 | £58,750 to £75,000 | 247 | IT Jobs Watch: Senior Network Engineer (UK) | 6 months to 11 Jul 2026 |
A small sample makes a figure indicative only. The hiring note below says where that applies.
- Hiring
- UK networking job postings grew 22.6% year-on-year (Jan-Apr 2026), demand is shifting away from lower-level, purely manual configuration roles (increasingly automated) toward niche specialists in cloud networking and software-defined networking. The junior-level figures above are based on a very small sample (7 salaries), so treat that specific band as indicative only.
- Remote working
- Hybrid working has genuinely expanded access to network engineering roles, with job postings increasingly specifying work mode explicitly, though senior roles remain more concentrated at larger organisations. No single precise UK-wide remote/hybrid percentage was found specifically for this role during research (unlike software, data or cyber, where a clear Adzuna-sourced figure exists).
- Fastest growing skill
- Cloud networking knowledge (Azure networking specifically, 37.46% of postings) is growing fastest, reflecting the extension of traditional on-prem networks into hybrid cloud architectures.
Skills and certifications
Skills employers ask for
| Skill | Importance | Demand | Time to learn | Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco Networking Fundamentals | Critical | Very High, in 52% of postings | 6-8 weeks | All routes |
| TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) & Network Fundamentals | Critical | Very High | 3-4 weeks | All routes |
| Cloud Networking (Azure) | High | High, in 37% of postings | 3-4 weeks | All routes |
| Network Monitoring & Troubleshooting | High | High | 2-3 weeks | All routes |
| Splice and Test Fibre Optic Cabling | Critical | Very High | On-the-job over the first 6-12 months of an apprenticeship | Apprenticeship |
| Install and Commission Fire, Security & BEMS (Building Energy Management System) Controls | Critical | High | On-the-job over the first 12-18 months of an apprenticeship | Apprenticeship |
- Cisco Networking Fundamentals: Networking BasicsCisco Networking Academy
- Cisco Networking Fundamentals: CCNA study videosCisco Skills for All
- TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) & Network Fundamentals: Networking BasicsCisco Networking Academy
- Cloud Networking (Azure): Introduction to Azure network foundation servicesMicrosoft Learn
- Network Monitoring & Troubleshooting: Wireshark documentationWireshark
- Network Monitoring & Troubleshooting: LibreNMS documentationLibreNMS
- Splice and Test Fibre Optic Cabling: Fiber U, Lesson Plan 7: Termination and SplicingThe Fiber Optic Association (FOA)
- Splice and Test Fibre Optic Cabling: Fiber U, Lesson Plan 8: Fiber Optic TestingThe Fiber Optic Association (FOA)
Cisco Networking Fundamentals: Share of UK Network Engineer job postings mentioning Cisco. TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) & Network Fundamentals: Universally cited as foundational in UK network-engineering skills guidance; not separately broken out as its own keyword percentage since it underlies every vendor-specific skill above. Cloud Networking (Azure): Share of UK Network Engineer job postings mentioning Azure. Network Monitoring & Troubleshooting: Consistently cited across UK network engineer role descriptions as a day-to-day expectation, though not broken out as a standalone keyword percentage. Splice and Test Fibre Optic Cabling: Core skill listed on the SSC's live occupation page for 'Telecoms and related network installers and repairers' (skillsclassification.org) and the named typical work of the Network Cable Installer (ST0485) and Telecoms Field Operative (ST0832) apprenticeship standards. Install and Commission Fire, Security & BEMS (Building Energy Management System) Controls: Core skill mapped on the SSC's live occupation page for 'Security system installers and repairers' (skillsclassification.org), and the named typical work of the Fire Emergency and Security Systems Technician (ST0189) and BEMS Controls Engineer (ST0629) apprenticeship standards.
Certifications
| Certification | Provider | Cost | Time | Level | Recognised | Best stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CompTIA Network+ | CompTIA | Approx. $358-400 / £280-320 for a single exam voucher (correct at time of writing, check comptia.org for current pricing) | 6-8 weeks part-time | Beginner | High | Before you apply |
| Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) | Cisco | $300 / approx. £240 (exam fee, correct at time of writing, check cisco.com for current pricing) | 3-4 months part-time | Intermediate | High | Early career (0-2 years) |
For teachers and lecturers
| Area of work | Who it suits | Example roles | Apprenticeship standards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network Engineering | Analytical minds who enjoy the 'plumbing' and flow of digital information. | Network Engineer, NOC Analyst, Network Architect, LAN/WAN Specialist | ST0127 Level 4 |
| Telecommunications (5G) | Innovators interested in mobile tech and the future of wireless comms. | Telecoms Engineer, Radio Planning Engineer, Field Engineer, Core Network Engineer | None listed in the Matrix yet |
| Digital Infrastructure (Fibre) | Practical problem solvers who enjoy hands-on work in the field. | Fibre Technician, Planning Officer, Submarine Cable Engineer | ST0318 Level 3, ST0485 Level 3, ST0832 Level 2, ST1299 Level 4, ST0616 Level 2 |
| IoT & Wireless Tech | Developers interested in the intersection of hardware and networking. | IoT Solutions Architect, Wireless Specialist, Satellite Comm Engineer | ST0189 Level 3, ST0629 Level 4, ST0252 Level 3 |
| Software Defined (SDN) | Coders who want to build the 'intelligence' into the network. | NetDevOps Engineer, SDN Architect, Cloud Networking | None listed in the Matrix yet |
| Emerging Tech | Researchers who want to build what doesn't exist yet. | Quantum Comms Engineer, 6G Researcher, Mesh Network Architect | None listed in the Matrix yet |
| Network Security & Access Control | Defensive thinkers who enjoy building barriers attackers can't get past. | Network Security Engineer, Firewall Administrator, Zero Trust Architect, VPN Specialist | None listed in the Matrix yet |
| Enterprise & Unified Communications | Practical engineers who enjoy making complex comms systems feel simple to use. | UC Engineer, VoIP Specialist, Collaboration Platform Lead, Contact Centre Engineer | None listed in the Matrix yet |
The Who it suits column comes from the Career Matrix. It is a starting point for a conversation, not an assessment.
Notes on your students
Activities for lessons and clubs
| Activity | What students do | Level | Time | Skills shown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Lab Network Build | Design and build a small network with multiple VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks, a way of splitting one physical network into several separate, logically-isolated ones) using either real second-hand hardware (an old router/switch) or a free simulator like Cisco Packet Tracer/GNS3, with a documented network diagram and IP addressing scheme. | Beginner | 10-15 hours | Cisco Networking Fundamentals, TCP/IP & Network Fundamentals |
| Site-to-Site VPN (Virtual Private Network) Setup | Configure a working VPN, an encrypted connection between two networks, between two simulated sites (e.g. two Packet Tracer routers, or an on-prem VM and an Azure virtual network), documenting the encryption and routing configuration. | Intermediate | 10-12 hours | Cloud Networking (Azure), TCP/IP & Network Fundamentals |
| Network Monitoring Dashboard | Set up a free network monitoring tool (LibreNMS or Zabbix) to track uptime, bandwidth and device health across your home lab, and configure at least one alert rule for a realistic failure scenario. | Intermediate | 8-10 hours | Network Monitoring & Troubleshooting |
| Fibre Splice Enclosure Build and Test Certificate | Terminate a small fibre distribution unit or splice closure, fusion or mechanically splice every core, then test each one with an OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer, a device that sends light pulses down a fibre cable to measure signal loss and pinpoint faults) and light source or power meter, and produce a completed test certificate showing measured loss against the design loss budget. | Beginner | 6-10 hours | Splice and Test Fibre Optic Cabling |
| Fault Find and Repair on a Fibre Link | Starting from a link with a real or introduced fault, such as a bad splice or excess bend loss, use an OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) trace to locate the fault, then re-splice or re-terminate and re-test until the link passes. | Intermediate | 4-8 hours | Splice and Test Fibre Optic Cabling |
| Fire, Security & BEMS (Building Energy Management System) Commissioning Record | Under supervision, install and commission a fire alarm, access control or BEMS control point, following the manufacturer's commissioning procedure, then produce a completed commissioning record showing test results signed off against the design specification. | Beginner | 6-10 hours | Install and Commission Fire, Security & BEMS Controls |
| Building System Fault Diagnosis Log | Keep a log of real or simulated faults diagnosed and resolved on a fire, security or BEMS (Building Energy Management System) installation, such as a faulty detector, a miscommissioned zone or an out-of-range HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) control point, recording the diagnostic steps taken and the fix, with mentor sign-off on each entry. | Intermediate | 4-8 hours | Install and Commission Fire, Security & BEMS Controls |
These are the portfolio projects used in the TechSkills Career Planner. Each is meant to produce work a learner can show an employer.
Where to find out more
- National Careers ServiceCareers advice, job profiles, information and resources. (Department for Education. Checked 1 November 2026.)
- Find an apprenticeshipRegister a profile, search vacancies and apply for an apprenticeship. Applicants must be 16 or over. (GOV.UK. Checked 1 November 2026.)
- Skills BootcampsFor people updating their skills to progress in their current job or move into a different role. (JobHelp, GOV.UK. Checked 1 November 2026.)
- Skills England: apprenticeship searchSkills England's apprenticeship search. (Skills England. Checked 1 November 2026.)
General notes
Sources and checking
The figures in this guide were checked on dates from 11 July 2026 to 1 November 2026. Each source below shows its own date.
- Skills England: ST0616 Wireless Communications RiggerChecked 31 July 2026
- Skills England: ST0832 Telecoms Field OperativeChecked 29 July 2026
- Skills England: ST0189 Fire Emergency and Security Systems TechnicianChecked 30 July 2026
- Skills England: ST0252 Lift and Escalator EngineeringChecked 31 July 2026
- Skills England: ST0318 Rail Engineering Technician (Signalling & Telecoms)Checked 30 July 2026
- Skills England: ST0485 Network Cable InstallerChecked 29 July 2026
- Skills England: ST0127 Network EngineerChecked 10 August 2026
- Skills England: ST0629 BEMS (Building Energy Management Systems) Controls EngineerChecked 30 July 2026
- Skills England: ST1299 Cellular Network Field Engineer (CNFE)Checked 29 July 2026
- National Careers Service, Department for EducationChecked 1 November 2026
- Find an apprenticeship, GOV.UKChecked 1 November 2026
- Skills Bootcamps, JobHelp, GOV.UKChecked 1 November 2026
- Skills England: apprenticeship search, Skills EnglandChecked 1 November 2026
- gov.uk: Apprenticeship funding rules and assessment plan guidance, 2026 to 2027 (checked 20 July 2026)
- gov.uk: National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates (checked 20 July 2026)
- gov.uk: Student finance for undergraduates (checked 20 July 2026)
- gov.uk: Repaying your student loan; gov.uk: How interest is calculated, Plan 5 (checked 20 July 2026)
- ONS ASHE Table 14, 2024 (revised) (checked 11 July 2026)
- IT Jobs Watch: Network Engineer / Junior Network Engineer / Senior Network Engineer (UK) (checked 11 July 2026)
- IT Computer Networking Job Market Report (UK), Learning People, Jun 2026 (checked 11 July 2026)
- TechTarget: Advanced skills drive networking job market in 2026 (checked 11 July 2026)
- IT Jobs Watch: Network Engineer skills (UK), 6 months to 11 Jul 2026 (checked 11 July 2026)
- Cisco Networking Academy course structure (checked 11 July 2026)
- CompTIA Network+ exam objectives (checked 11 July 2026)
- UK Standard Skills Classification (skillsclassification.org): Telecoms and related network installers and repairers (checked 29 July 2026)
- IfATE/Skills England: Network Cable Installer (ST0485), Telecoms Field Operative (ST0832) (checked 29 July 2026)
- The Fiber Optic Association (FOA): Fiber U lesson plans 7 and 8 (checked 29 July 2026)
- UK Standard Skills Classification (skillsclassification.org): Security system installers and repairers (checked 31 July 2026)
- IfATE/Skills England: Fire Emergency and Security Systems Technician (ST0189), BEMS Controls Engineer (ST0629) (checked 31 July 2026)
- Fire Industry Association (FIA): Foundation Course (checked 31 July 2026)
- BESA: Labour Market Intelligence Report 2026 (checked 31 July 2026)
- StationX: CCNA vs Network+ 2026 (checked 11 July 2026)
- CompTIA certification documentation (checked 11 July 2026)
- IT Jobs Watch: Network Engineer skills (UK), 6 months to 11 Jul 2026 (52.09% Cisco, 41.27% Cisco Certification, 32.09% CCNA) (checked 11 July 2026)