Electrical Applicance Serviceperson
Description:
An electric appliance serviceperson installs, repairs and maintains household and commercial electrical appliances such as refrigerators, microwaves and washing machines.
Tasks and Duties:
- talk to customers about problems and faults with their appliances
- carry out tests to check for faults in the appliances
- repair or replace any faulty parts
- reassemble and test the appliances
- clean and oil the appliances
- keep records of the problems they find with appliances and the servicing they carry out
- set up and maintain new appliances
- may collect money from customers
- may complete stock-takes of supplies in their vehicles
- may run their own business
- Electrical Contractors’ Association of NZ Inc
- Electrical Workers’ Registration Board
- ElectroTechnology ITO
Skills:
Electric appliance servicepeople need to be skilled in diagnosing problems and repairing faulty electrical equipment. They should be able to read circuit diagrams and use tools for testing electrical components. They also need to have good technical and problem-solving skills. It is important that electric appliance servicepeople have excellent communication, listening and record-keeping skills. Computer skills are also an advantage.
Knowledge:
Electric appliance servicepeople need to know about how electrical appliances work and how to repair them. Knowledge of electrical theory and safe working practices is essential. They also need to know about electronics theory and practice, as most electric appliances have electronic components. It is helpful if electric appliance servicepeople have a knowledge of the geography of the area they are working in.
Personal Qualities:
Electric appliance servicepeople need to be patient, persevering, accurate, practical and methodical when repairing appliances and their components. They also need to be observant and enquiring in order to find faults in the appliances. Electric appliance servicepeople should be friendly and polite when dealing with their customers, and it is important they are honest as they may work in customers’ homes or businesses unsupervised.
Physical Requirements:
Electric appliance servicepeople must have good hand-eye co-ordination and a steady hand. They should be reasonably strong, as they are often required to lift or move heavy appliances such as washing machines and dryers. Electric appliance servicepeople must also have normal colour vision, as electrical components are often colour-coded
Educational Requirements:
Electric appliance service people should preferably have NCEA Level 1 with English, maths and science.
Electric appliance service people usually begin as trainees and study towards a National Certificate in Electrical Appliance Servicing.
Entry Requirements:
A current drivers license is generally required .
Useful Experience
Useful experience for electric appliance servicepeople includes work in electrical businesses, such as appliance sales or delivery work. Any other work involving electrical or electronic components, mechanical work, or work as an electrician or plumber and gasfitter is also useful.
Training on the job
Electric appliance service people gain skills on the job. They usually begin as trainees, and study towards a National Certificate in Electrical Appliance Servicing to become registered.
Electric appliance service people may also attend workshops seminars or training courses to keep up date with the latest appliances.
Work Places
Electric appliance servicepeople may work in workshops and in businesses that sell and service electrical appliances. They may also travel to customers’ offices or homes to service appliances
Salary
Qualified appliance service people would normally earn between $25,000 and $40,000 per year depending on qualifications, skills, and experience.