Job Roles and Responsibilities in Canada. Electronic Technicians

Transcription

1 Job Roles and Responsibilities in Canada Electronic Technicians

2 Acknowledgments Winnipeg Technical College and the Department of Labour and Immigration of Manitoba wish to express sincere appreciation to all contributors. Special acknowledgments are extended to the following individuals: Manola Barlow, Independent Contractor Sarah McDowell, Independent Contractor Grace Leduc, Curriculum Development, Winnipeg Technical College Recognition of Prior Learning Coordinator, Winnipeg Technical College José Bettencourt, Industrial Electronics Instructor, Winnipeg Technical College Bill Smart, Industrial Electronics Instructor, Winnipeg Technical College Funding for this project has been provided by The Citizenship and Multicultural Division, Manitoba Department of Labour and Immigration. Disclaimer Statements and opinions in this document do not reflect those of Winnipeg Technical College or the project funder, Citizenship and Multicultural Division, Manitoba Department of Labour and Immigration. The information is gathered from a variety of sources and is current and accurate as of the revision date noted. This information is subject to change and will not be further updated. It is the responsibility of the reader to seek current statistics and information. Please contact the Winnipeg Technical College at or if you have questions about the contents of this document 2

3 Table of Contents Introduction Description Language Requirements Skills Main Duties The Importance of Safety in Canada Terms & Conditions Earnings Education/Training Employment Requirements Career Paths Employment Opportunities Professional Associations References

4 Introduction Electronic technicians work in a variety of settings in Manitoba. The knowledge and understanding of the roles and responsibilities of an electronic technician is necessary when thinking about enrolling in technical training. The information provided in this booklet will help you in your studies and will increase your awareness of the roles and responsibilities of electronic technicians. A detailed description of job duties, employment requirements, skills, education and training are all included in this package. Description An electronic technician services and repairs household and business electronic equipment, such as audio and video systems, computers, office equipment and other consumer electronic equipment and assemblies. They are employed by electronic service and retail companies, by wholesale distributors and within service departments of electronic manufacturing companies. Example Titles Alarm system technician Audio-video service technician Computer service technician Electronic service technician supervisor Electronic service technician apprentice Field service technician, electronic products Office equipment service technician Photocopy machine technician Radio and television service technician Satellite antenna servicer 4

5 Language Requirements It is important as an Industrial Technician to be able to speak, listen, read and write English. It is very important to employers that you can communicate well orally both with them and with your customers. Much of the oral communication takes place on the phone. You should be able to express yourself clearly and accurately to do your job well. A high level of reading is also required. It is important to note that language entrance requirements and test requirements vary in different colleges. Contact the colleges to see what is required. Recommended Canadian Language Benchmark Levels for Industrial Electronics 1 Speaking Listening Reading Writing Recommended TOEFL scores 2 Paper Based Computer Based Internet Based For those individuals where English is an Additional Language (EAL), it is recommended that you take a Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test to determine your level of English, and to see which English classes are available to you. Contact the Winnipeg English Language Assessment and Referral Centre for an appointment: Winnipeg English Language Assessment and Referral Centre Portage Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2B3 Phone: Note: this occupation/training has not been formally benchmarked. 2 These are the current TOEFL entrance requirements at some colleges. 5

6 Skills Electronic technicians need the following skills: Interest in computers and electronic products and mechanical technology Good problem-solving abilities Colour vision Ability to read and understand technical diagrams and instructions Ability to communicate with customers Ability to work alone Ability to handle the stress of meeting deadlines Interest in keeping up with new technologies Do you have many of these skills? Main Duties Electronic technicians perform some or all of the following duties: Install, maintain and repair household and business electronic equipment, such as televisions, radios, video cassette recorders, stereo equipment, photocopiers, computers and peripherals Inspect and test electronic equipment, components and assemblies using multimeters, circuit testers, oscilloscopes, logic probes and other electronic test instruments, tools and equipment Diagnose and locate circuit, component and equipment faults 6

7 Adjust, align, replace or repair electronic equipment, assemblies and components by following equipment manuals and schematics and by using soldering tools and other hand and power tools Complete work orders, test and maintenance reports Do you think you would enjoy doing the work described above? The Importance of Safety in Canada Safety in the workplace is very important in Canada. If your employer sees you are not listening to the safety rules, you may be fired immediately. The company is responsible for: Training employees how to work safely Telling employees about things that are dangerous in the workplace Giving employees safety equipment and make sure they wear it The employee is responsible for: Following the company s safety rules (sometimes called policies ) Wearing safety equipment Telling the supervisor if they see something that is dangerous Not doing anything that they think is unsafe It is your responsibility to ask questions when you don t understand. For more information: 7

8 Terms & Conditions Electronic technicians work in a variety of locations depending on the type of equipment they service. They work in offices, service shops, business locations and private homes They normally work regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Technicians who schedule their own work may have more flexibility, but may have to schedule appointments at odd hours to accommodate private customer needs Because of the business requirements, technicians who repair ATM machines, alarm systems and some computer equipment need to be available immediately. This is often referred to as being on-call. Their schedules may include evening, night, weekend and holiday shifts Electronic technicians may work in a variety of physical positions, in cramped spaces and may be required to lift up to 25 kilograms The employer usually provides a company vehicle for technicians who travel from site to site Almost all electronic technicians work full time. Approximately 13% are selfemployed Earnings 3 In Manitoba $21, per annum starting $36, per annum average $51, per annum high. 3 Note: these figures may have changed. Please go to this Web site for updated information. 8

9 Average in Canada $19.89 $24.32 Education / Training Winnipeg Technical College offers an Industrial Electronics certificate program. 4 Red River College offers a two-year diploma Electronic Engineering Technology program. The University College of the North offers a two-year diploma program in Electrical/Electronic Technology Herzing College, a private vocational institution in Manitoba, offers a certificate program in Electronics Technology Several high schools offer electrical/electronics programs Employment Requirements Employers in Manitoba may require completion of a one- or two-year college program in electronics. Some employers may require high school completion including courses in electronics and on-the-job training. Career Paths Electronic technicians may become specialists in particular products. Workers with experience and leadership skills may become supervisors and managers. Some may open their own repair shops. 4 The Industrial Electronics Program does not cover consumer electronics. 9

10 Employment Opportunities Employment prospects for electronic technicians are expected to be good in the 2006 to 2010 period. Employment in Manitoba in 2006 was estimated at 1,670. The growing dependence upon electronic products in the home and workplace should ensure fairly bright employment prospects for members of this occupational group. People specializing in electronic security systems will benefit from the increased concern with security. Jobs for electronic technicians are found through Manitoba, with a slight bias in favour of Winnipeg and "cottage country" (Interlake and southeast Manitoba). Across industries the highest concentration is in Retail Trade at 21%, followed by Other Services (except Public Administration) at 16% and Wholesale Trade at 15%. Professional Associations Canadian Information Processing Society of Manitoba, P.O. Box 2610, Station Main, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 4B3, (204) , Certified Technicians and Technologists Association of Manitoba, Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3J-3T7, (204) , Fax: (204) , Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists, 285 McLeod St, Ottawa, ON, K2P 1A1, Canadian Information Processing Society, 10

11 References Manitoba Advanced Education and Training. (2005). Job Futures Manitoba. Retrieved March 2, 2006, from Updated: April