Contents
Contents
Details of the occupational standard
Occupation summary
This occupation is found in this occupation is found in the telecommunications cellular network infrastructure sector including managed services and maintenance. The emergence of long term evolution (LTE) and 5G technology has brought a new skill set requirement to the cellular industry. With wireless telecommunication providing a cost-efficient solution for the transportation of voice, video and data, cellular network field engineers provide an essential role in supporting the UK’s 5G rollout, thereby facilitating a reduction in the UK’s carbon footprint and its drive to carbon zero. The occupation enables employers to reduce field carbon footprints (vehicle, diesel, fuel by at least 75 %) Cellular network field engineers are highly skilled leaders of the field based team who install and maintain 4G and 5G electrical and electronic technology on masts in a range of locations and environments. These include: green field rural site locations, urban rooftop site locations, urban street work site locations, small cell site locations (shops & offices) employers include mobile network operators, tower companies, facilities management, design & construction, network equipment vendors, cellular network estate owners.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to develop, maintain and optimise the UK’s cellular network and its infrastructure, providing long term capability of resource to industry employers. This is a highly regulated occupation and sector by Ofcom, Mast and Tower Safety Group (MATS) and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Cellular network field engineers lead the installation of a complete wireless mobile solution. This involves complex DC and AC electrical systems, fibre cabling, active radio modules and radio frequency (RF) systems being installed whilst working at great height. They also use RF and fibre installation testing techniques to meet current 4G and 5G equipment installation requirements. In addition, the engineer installs, connects and tests single mode and multi-mode fibre systems. They are the technical lead for Personal Communications Network (PCN) and Microwave rigging teams in installing radio and transmission equipment and supporting steelwork on towers and rooftops. As sites are geographically broad, including working on remote sites, a driving license is essential. Often on call, they are sometimes working alone and therefore there is an emphasis on safe working and driving practices however any working at height will have a minimum of 2 qualified persons.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with all external partners in acquisition, design, build, maintenance and facilities management. They are required to communicate with both internal and external functions. Internally they interact with Project Managers, Project Co-ordinators, Rigging Managers, Resource Controllers, Administration, Finance. Externally they have to communicate effectively and sensitively with Site Providers, Landlords and members of the public.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for installing, optimising and restoring service across wireless mobile technologies. They maintain the lifecycle of the telecommunications infrastructure for all operators in the UK. They are able to deliver proactive and reactive management of the mobile telecommunications infrastructure (power, environmental, network equipment, safety systems). Typically, engineers report to a line manager, rigging manager, project manager or team leader. The line manager will usually be office-based and remote from the engineer. As the prime engineer in charge of works on electrical design and installation, they are responsible for ensuring they and their teams work to current industry health, safety and environmental legislation and company-specific requirements for safe working practices. Additionally, they need to accept new elements through Health and Safety and Quality audits and ensure equipment is regularly serviced, maintained and repaired through periodic planned inspections as per contractual terms. They are responsible for ensuring assets comply with industry standard regulations, i.e. Electrical, Test and Inspection, Safe to Climb on structures and Fall Arrest Systems, RF Zones, Lock repair/etc, and external alarms are reporting environmental conditions. They are required to resolve faulty assets within contractual service level agreement timeframes and also comply with all relevant access stipulations for site owners.
Typical job titles include:
Occupation duties
| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
|
Duty 1 Lead end to end cell site installation and maintenance activities, having the responsibility for teams and contractors simultaneously on site. |
K1 K3 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K20 K23 K29 K30 K31 K32 K33 K34 K38 K39 K40 K41 K42 S1 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S14 S15 S16 S17 S21 S25 S26 S27 S28 |
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Duty 2 Identify, evaluate and mitigate risks associated with their own work and activities they and their team are responsible for |
K1 K3 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K29 K30 K31 K32 K33 K34 K38 K39 K40 K42 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S21 S25 S26 S27 S28 |
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Duty 3 Safely install and maintain cell site electrical systems, specifically DC electrical systems, at height and at ground level in line with current BS 7671 regulations |
K1 K2 K3 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K20 K22 K23 K29 K30 K31 K32 K34 K38 K39 K40 K41 K43 K44 S1 S4 S5 S6 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 S25 S26 S28 |
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Duty 4 Install, commission, decommission and maintain field-based cell site apparatus and cellular network systems including RAN, core design and transmission fundamentals |
K1 K3 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K22 K23 K29 K30 K31 K32 K33 K34 K37 K38 K39 K40 K41 K42 K43 K44 S1 S4 S5 S6 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S21 S25 S26 S27 S28 |
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Duty 5 Conduct work at height on all cell site apparatus, setting up lifting systems and apparatus to permit safe manual handling and lifting whilst at height. |
K1 K2 K3 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K20 K23 K32 K33 K34 K38 K39 K40 K42 S1 S4 S5 S6 S9 S10 S11 S12 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 S25 S26 S27 S28 |
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Duty 6 Undertake the physical on-site field installation, commissioning, maintenance and optimisation of electrical power systems, Radio Frequency Systems and Microwave links, Mast Head Amplifiers, Remote Radio Units, Radio Frequency Combiners, Hybrid Fibre and DC Power Cabling Systems, Fibre and Power Breakout Boxes, base station cabinets, Power Supply Units, AC to DC rectification units and site designed steelwork |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K20 K22 K23 K24 K29 K30 K31 K32 K33 K34 K37 K38 K39 K40 K41 K42 K43 K44 S1 S4 S5 S6 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 S25 S26 S27 S28 |
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Duty 7 Install and construct all cell site apparatus and ancillary items, following detailed construction drawings and verification of works post installation. |
K1 K2 K3 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K23 K32 K33 K34 K36 K38 K39 K40 K41 K42 S1 S4 S5 S6 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 S25 S26 S27 S28 |
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Duty 8 Ensure compliance with all current and relevant H&S legislation |
K1 K3 K4 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K22 K23 K28 K32 K34 K35 K38 K39 K40 K42 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S17 S21 S25 S26 S27 S28 |
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Duty 9 Install, maintain and certify all cell site safety apparatus including vertical and horizontal systems. |
K1 K3 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K20 K23 K29 K30 K31 K32 K33 K34 K38 K39 K40 K42 S1 S4 S5 S6 S9 S10 S11 S12 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 S25 S26 S27 S28 |
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Duty 10 Install maintain, repair, and certify all cell site electrical systems including single phase and three phase. This includes battery backup supplies, prime and standby power sources, earthing systems including temporary, permanent or generated supplies. |
K1 K2 K3 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K29 K30 K31 K32 K33 K34 K38 K39 K40 K41 K42 K43 K44 S1 S4 S5 S6 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 S25 S26 S27 S28 |
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Duty 11 Undertake the safe testing and certification of electrical systems to comply with BS7671 |
K1 K2 K3 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K20 K21 K23 K28 K32 K33 K34 K38 K39 K40 K42 |
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Duty 12 Comply with environmental policies and legislation, practice sustainable principles, and evaluate how these impact on their work and activities they are responsible for and how these assist in the achievement of united nations sustainable development goals (UNSDG) and net-zero carbon emissions. |
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Duty 13 Ensure compliance with equity, diversity & inclusion (EDI) and ethical standards, recognising the importance of these in the workplace. |
KSBs
Knowledge
K1: Awareness of Health and safety legislations, regulations and safe working practices, network operator and tower estate owners design and construction rules and guidelines, relevance to the occupation and the operative's responsibilities. Including Health and Safety at Work Act, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). Manual handling. Working at height regulations. Working in confined spaces. Situational awareness. Isolation and emergency stop procedures. Emergency evacuation procedures. Safety equipment: guards, signage, fire extinguishers
Back to Duty
K2: Tower climbing techniques
Back to Duty
K3: Safety control equipment and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE)
Back to Duty
K4: International commission non-Ionising radiation protection (ICNIRP): frequency ranges
Back to Duty
K5: Principles of Transverse Electromagnetic Wave (TEM) propagation: Hyugen’s theorem
Back to Duty
K6: Principles of electromagnetic field
Back to Duty
K7: Fibre transmission and modes
Back to Duty
K8: Lifting and lowering techniques, slings, knots and attachments, for rooftop, greenfield and street works
Back to Duty
K9: Site standards, survey requirements and site set up for any specific activity: Site inductions, toolbox talks, dynamic risk assessments (DRA), scope of work, Risk Assessments & Method Statements (RAMS), identification of hazards, lines of reporting and required control measures
Back to Duty
K10: Site inspection requirements: validity, duration, standard industry practice, Working at Height (WAH), Electrical, Civil and Environment – awareness of how to access, Barber portal, relevant sources and Person in charge of Works (PICW)
Back to Duty
K11: Statutory requirements for maintaining electrical equipment: distribution boards, power support units, battery supplies, mains supplies, Remote radio boxes (RRB's) Break out boxes (BOB)
Back to Duty
K12: Statutory requirements for maintaining environmental equipment: detecting or removal of asbestos, site pollution, bird nesting, Weil disease.
Back to Duty
K13: Statutory requirements for maintaining civil equipment: avoiding danger from undergrounds services, permission to dig, cat scanning, excavations, tower roots, cabinet plinths group repairs
Back to Duty
K14: Statutory requirements for maintaining working at height equipment: Site specific structures, antenna systems, feeders, Remote Radio Unit (RRU), Remote Radio Head (RRH), Mast head amplifiers (MHA's), Directional Radio Link (DRL) and associated fixings, frequency bands
Back to Duty
K15: Communication techniques and methods when communicating with people in different roles
Back to Duty
K16: Methods of interpreting and extracting relevant information from drawings, specifications and work instructions using paper based and digital methods
Back to Duty
K17: Roles and Responsibilities of site personnel
Back to Duty
K18: Personal responsibilities and obligations in protecting safety of self, colleagues and the public whilst undertaking work
Back to Duty
K19: Process and procedures for the planning, of electrical systems Including Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC), Low Voltage (LV), Protective Extra Low Voltage (PELV)
Back to Duty
K20: Process and procedures for the set up and installation of electrical systems Including Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC), Low Voltage (LV), Protective Extra Low Voltage (PELV)
Back to Duty
K21: Process and procedures for the inspection and testing of electrical systems Including Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC), Low Voltage (LV), Protective Extra Low Voltage (PELV)
Back to Duty
K22: Full and partial isolation processes of electrical circuits including Electrotechnical systems and electrical systems and equipment
Back to Duty
K23: Tools, equipment, components used in role
Back to Duty
K24: Power supplies: Uninterruptible power supply (UPS), Generators, Standby and Primary Sources
Back to Duty
K25: Principles of sustainability: Energy efficiency and reuse of materials, recycling, principles of control and management of emissions and waste, efficient use of resources
Back to Duty
K26: Principles of sustainable development and their impact on the occupation: net-zero carbon emissions, low carbon processes, environmental policies and legislations, and the climate change act
Back to Duty
K27: Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity and its principles in the workplace including routes for reporting unethical behaviour
Back to Duty
K28: Industry recognised standards as defined within current British standards including wiring regulations and Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC)
Back to Duty
K29: Maintenance techniques for cell site apparatus
Back to Duty
K30: Fault finding and repair techniques for cell site apparatus
Back to Duty
K31: Decommission techniques for cell site apparatus
Back to Duty
K32: Principles of electrical design: design load, sizing and safe route of cabling, overcurrent, undercurrent, circuit protection, earthing and lightning protection, equipotential bonding
Back to Duty
K33: Tower rescue and casualty management techniques
Back to Duty
K34: Leadership and management techniques: planning, work scheduling, delegation techniques
Back to Duty
K35: Wellbeing: mental and physical health considerations and how to access support
Back to Duty
K36: Cellular Network and transmission design and topology
Back to Duty
K37: Radio access, network structure and interactions
Back to Duty
K38: Commission and integration testing processes on Base Station Sub-System (BSS)
Back to Duty
K39: Construction phase plan (CPP)
Back to Duty
K40: Information required for handover pack
Back to Duty
K41: Client specifications for frequency limits pass and fail parameters
Back to Duty
K42: Process and procedures for the planning and testing, of Radio frequency (RF) complying with regulations International Commission on Non-Ironizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)
Back to Duty
K43: Radio Frequency (RF) testing equipment: Open, short and load
Back to Duty
K44: Telecom connectors:7/16 N_type 43..10
Back to Duty
Skills
S1: Compile and verify a construction phase plan (CPP)
Back to Duty
S2: Conduct, produce and write a risk assessment and method statement at site level
Back to Duty
S3: Recognise, record and monitor risks, escalating to relevant personnel
Back to Duty
S4: Comply with health and safety regulations
Back to Duty
S5: Identify and use personal protective equipment (PPE)
Back to Duty
S6: Comply with electrical regulations
Back to Duty
S7: Delegate and assign tasks according to scope of works and specific skillset and Health and safety
Back to Duty
S8: Conduct site surveys to meet client’s installation criteria
Back to Duty
S9: Review and compile information to produce handover pack
Back to Duty
S10: Select, implement and evaluate control measures
Back to Duty
S11: Install electrical systems
Back to Duty
S12: Inspect and test electrical systems
Back to Duty
S13: Isolate electrical circuits
Back to Duty
S14: Maintain cell site apparatus
Back to Duty
S15: Find faults and repair cell site apparatus
Back to Duty
S16: Decommission cell site apparatus
Back to Duty
S17: Commission and conduct integration testing on Base Station Sub-System (BSS)
Back to Duty
S18: Select and use work restraint, work positioning, and fall arrest equipment
Back to Duty
S19: Climb site towers
Back to Duty
S20: Use lifting and lowering techniques using slings, knots and attachments
Back to Duty
S21: Select and use tools and equipment when working at ground level and at height
Back to Duty
S22: Conduct tower rescue and casualty management
Back to Duty
S23: Apply sustainable principles and low carbon processes to implement site environmental solutions and disposal of waste
Back to Duty
S24: Apply equity, diversity and inclusion principles
Back to Duty
S25: Communicate with internal and external stakeholders using sector specific terminology through written or verbal means
Back to Duty
S26: Interpret design drawings
Back to Duty
S27: Use Radio Frequency (RF) monitor
Back to Duty
S28: Conduct site inspections
Back to Duty
Behaviours
B1: Take Responsibility for own actions and for the actions of those under their supervision or direction with respect to safety
Back to Duty
B2: Demonstrate commitment to workplace health, safety
Back to Duty
B3: Take responsibility for and promote sustainable working practices
Back to Duty
B4: Committed to continued professional development (CPD) to maintain and enhance competence in own area of practice
Back to Duty
B5: Encourage a diverse and inclusive culture
Back to Duty
B6: Recognise limitations, seek input from others and escalate issues when required
Back to Duty
Qualifications
English and Maths
English and maths qualifications must be completed in line with the apprenticeship funding rules.
Professional recognition
This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:
- Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) requirements for an ECS gold card in this occupations as a level 4 apprenticeship standard. ECS is the recognised Constriction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) alliance for the Electrotechnical industry
Version log
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 26/06/2023 | Not set |
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