Hiring and Sponsoring Engineering technicians (SOC Code 3113)

Engineering Technicians, classified under SOC Code 3113, are skilled professionals who support the engineering sector by ensuring that projects meet specifications and operate efficiently. They perform a variety of essential tasks associated with the preparation, execution, and maintenance of engineering systems. The increasing complexity of modern engineering projects has heightened the demand for qualified engineering technicians in the UK, prompting many organizations to look for talent both domestically and internationally. This guide will assist HR professionals in understanding the recruitment and sponsorship process for engineering technicians under the UK’s immigration system. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and prepare work schedules based on specifications and engineering drawings.
• Set up equipment and undertake tests, ensuring proper operation.
• Take readings, perform calculations, and record and interpret data accurately.
• Prepare estimates for materials, equipment, and labour needed for engineering projects.
• Diagnose and detect faults in systems and equipment, implementing effective maintenance procedures.
• Inspect completed work in aircraft maintenance to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.
• Visit clients and advise on the use and servicing of mechanical and chemical engineering products.
• Provide health and safety inductions and adhere strictly to health and safety protocols.
• Complete necessary documentation, including project records and safety reports.
• Conduct stock takes to manage resources effectively.

With the growing need for engineering advancements and maintenance, fostering a strong pool of engineering technicians is crucial for the UK’s infrastructure and industrial sectors.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Engineering technicians?

SOC Code 3113 refers to engineering technicians who play a vital role in the planning, testing, and maintenance of engineering projects. Their responsibilities can include:

• Planning and scheduling: Developing work and test schedules based on engineering specifications and drawings.
• Setting up equipment: Preparing and configuring equipment needed for testing and assessments.
• Conducting tests: Undertaking various tests, gathering readings, performing calculations, and interpreting data.
• Estimating resources: Preparing estimates for materials, equipment, and labor necessary for engineering projects.
• Fault diagnosis: Detecting and diagnosing faults in systems and equipment, implementing procedures to ensure efficient operation.
• Inspection: Inspecting completed maintenance work on aircraft to ensure compliance with standards, certifying them for operation.
• Client engagement: Visiting and advising clients on the use and servicing of mechanical and chemical engineering products and services.
• Health and safety compliance: Providing health and safety inductions, adhering to health and safety procedures throughout all processes.
• Documentation: Completing necessary paperwork such as project records and safety reports, alongside conducting stock takes.

Engineering technicians are essential in maintaining operational efficiency, contributing to the safety and functionality of engineering systems.

Eligibility to Hire Engineering technicians (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Engineering technicians must demonstrate technical proficiency and meet specific qualifications or experience criteria. These may include:

• Education: A degree or diploma in engineering technology or a related field is typically required.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in setting up equipment, undertaking tests, performing calculations, and interpreting data.
• Experience: Previous roles involving engineering project support, maintenance, and inspection of systems and equipment.
• Documentation Skills: Ability to complete documentation accurately, including project records and safety reports.
• Fault Diagnosis: Experience in diagnosing faults and implementing solutions to ensure efficient operation of engineering systems.
• Client Interaction: Strong communication skills for advising clients on the use and servicing of mechanical and chemical engineering products.
• Health and Safety: Knowledge of health and safety procedures, with the ability to conduct inductions and maintain compliance.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 3113 and that the engineering technician’s experience and work meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Engineering technicians: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Engineering technicians under SOC Code 3113.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Engineering technicians, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Engineering technicians under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Engineering technicians. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Engineering technicians applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Engineering technicians’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Engineering technicians can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Engineering technicians

Before the Engineering technicians begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Engineering technicians’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Engineering technicians holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Engineering technicians’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Engineering technicians’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Engineering technicianss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Engineering technicians

Sponsoring Engineering technicians under SOC Code 3113 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Engineering technicians, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Engineering technicians under SOC Code 3113 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.