How to Be a Cellar Technician in the UK

Cellar technicians in the UK install and maintain drink dispensing systems in pubs, hotels, restaurants and clubs. A cellar technician is called to install taps, piping, pumps, refrigeration equipment, gas operated equipment, pressure meter valves and electrical wiring. You work on main water lines, electrical main switches and drainage systems. You may also have to train the staff on the correct use of newly installed equipment. Finally, as you work as a cellar technician, you will have to follow strict health and safety guidelines.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Obtain experience behind a bar for a pub or cafe to see if you are interested in working as a cellar technician. Some companies will appreciate you have working knowledge of tap systems before you are even officially trained.
2. Take a cellar management course like the one offered by the Cask Marque Trust. They operate thousand of spirit systems throughout the UK. See additional Resources for their contact information.
3. Obtain a engineering or electrical degree at university. You can obtain a BTEC National Certificate in Engineering or Construction to learn the skills needed to be a cellar technician. Many universities and trade schools offer this certification.
4. Attend City and Guilds to take courses in Engineering if you don't want to attend a university. This path will give you a Chartered Engineer status. With this degree, you should be able to apply for cellar technician positions.
5. Expect to be paid about $20,000 a year in your first year as a cellar technician. With experience and tenure, your salary can go up to $40,000 to $50,000 annually.
6. Search for jobs in newspapers and industry sources. Industry sources can include the British Soft Drinks Association. Their address is 20-22 Stukeley Street, London, WC2B 5LR. Their telephone number is 020 7430 0356. You can reach them online by logging on to the link in Resources below.

Tips & Warnings

• A typical work week is forty hours a week and sometimes overtime is expected. You may have to be on call for responding to emergency calls.
• You will be lifting very heavy items from time to time. Make sure you are in top physical shape for this job.

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