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Electrical and electronic servicing covers a wide range of home products such as Hi Fi, kitchen equipment and television receivers, to name but a few. All of these products need installing and repairing when they go wrong.
A few years ago a television receiver sat in the corner of the room and gave a choice of four programmes. Now we have smart T.V.s, flat screens that hang on the wall, curved screens, a choice of hundreds of programmes from the traditional aerial, satellite dish, cable or internet, 3D, high definition smart T.V.s and even the chance to take part in the programmes.
Washing machines are computer controlled, refrigerators can re-order the stock of food when it gets low and they can even ring up to ask for service when they go wrong.
Technology has blossomed and this calls for a new breed of service engineer who is familiar with the internet, games machines, computers and all the other technologies that make up modern living.
In addition the service engineer should be able to get on with people, customer care is a very important part of the job. They should like either science or engineering subjects at school and be interested in making things work, after all this is what the job is all about.
The service engineer has to learn how the T.V. or washing machine works and how to find out what is wrong with it when it doesn’t. It is a bit like detective work, you look for clues, work out what could be wrong and make tests to check your theory.
A good thing about this type of work is the variety. Some engineers stay in a workshop but most go out to meets customers and carry out the repairs in their homes. Your employer would encourage you to get a driving licence but you may not be able to drive a company car until you are old enough to be put on the company insurance.
There are a number of ways to start your new career.
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You may be attending a school that offers an 'Engineering Diploma' with an electrical element. Talk to your career teacher.
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You could get a job with a local employer, they will want to train you to the new standard.
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You could attend a Further Education College who offers an Award in electrical and electronic servicing.
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You could sign up for an Apprenticeship with an employer who will both pay and train you. For more information on Apprenticeship, please click here.
Remember the more qualified you are, the more you will be able to earn later in later life!