Acoustics Technician

You’ll help carry out noise and vibration surveying and testing on an acoustics technician apprenticeship course.

Acoustics is concerned with all kinds of sound waves in various circumstances. Understanding how these waves behave in different media has enabled technology to develop in fields as diverse as architecture, music, and health.

Acoustics are found in many construction and engineering projects, including Crossrail, HS2, and The Sage Concert Hall Gateshead. An acoustics technician is often part of a larger project team, focusing on the acoustic aspects of a project with other specialists such as acoustics consultants and engineers.

You will learn about sound and vibration transmission physics and how it relates to work areas relevant to your employer’s working practices.

Typical duties include noise/vibration surveying and testing, data gathering, processing, and analysis, calculation, specialised acoustics modelling, equipment maintenance and calibration, and client contact.

What you’ll learn

On an acoustics technician apprenticeship course, you’ll learn to:

• Identify hazardous activities and execute safe working practices in the laboratory and job site.
• Plan, measure, and analyse acoustic data.
• Utilise acoustic modelling software that is appropriate for their organisation.
• Make use of computer-aided design software.
• Calibrate, operate, and maintain equipment in line with British Standards (e.g. BS EN 61672-2: 2014 Electroacoustics, Sound Level Meters).
• Calculate acoustics both manually and using spreadsheets.
• Use acoustic standards and norms for the built environment, construction, and laboratory/on-site testing.
• Pay close attention and correctly interpret sound.
• Participate in meetings and present information in various forms, including oral and written, to communicate effectively.
• Make reports that are brief and simple to understand for the end user.
• Consider the acoustic information outputs carefully, analyse them, and appropriately convey them.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• Two or more A levels, or equivalent, including maths and science, for a higher apprenticeship.
• Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this before taking the end-point assessment.

Assessment methods

The End Point Assessment comprises two distinct assessment methods:

• Project and Presentation 
• Professional Discussion (based on portfolio) 

Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion

Apprenticeship standard

More information about the Level 3 Acoustics Technician Apprenticeship standard can be found here.

Apprenticeship end point assessment

For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.