Describe your sector in a nutshell.
The Technical Services Department is essentially Government in-house construction and engineering consultant. The department comprises of engineers, architects and other construction professionals and is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the public highways and sewers infrastructure. In addition, the department is responsible for rock safety, coastal protection and demolition works.
What are the different career opportunities/jobs in your sector?
The department is comprised of construction professionals. These include civil engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, clerk of works, highways inspectors and sewers inspectors. The range of roles is varied but are mainly focused on construction and the built environment.
What’s interesting/fun about your sector/industry? Why should a young person want to work there?
Working at Technical Services Department is very rewarding as we are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of Gibraltar’s critical infrastructure. The work carried out within the department is very varied and is often challenging.
What skills/qualities do you seek in someone wanting to join your sector?
Due to the nature of the work carried out at Technical Services Department staff are well trained and, for the senior positions, require a high level of academic and professional qualifications. People who join the department should be well motivated and able to problem solve and work under pressure.
What is demand looking like in your sector? How do you think this will change in the future?
There will always be a need to maintain and develop our local infrastructure and as such opportunities within the sector will always exist. This is more so now as Gibraltar is slowly expanding with an increasing number of developments. Whilst opportunities within Technical Services Department are currently limited, the construction sector on the whole will always have opportunities for young people interested in working in this field.
What is the approximate salary range people can earn?
Depending on the grade of the officer the salary scales can range from £22,000 to £60,000.
What career pathways are available for a young person wanting to join your sector? (University and non-university routes)
For the more professional roles in the department a university degree is required. Suitable courses include Civil Engineering, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Project Management and allied Building Construction Degrees. At technician level, officers have normally undertaken B-TEC’s and NVQ’s in a construction related field.
Any advice to a young person wanting to join your sector?
We would encourage any young person who is interested in our built environment and how our infrastructure works to make society function to consider a career in construction. Working in this sector is very rewarding as you are responsible for improving and developing people’s way of life.
