Commercial Appliance Service Technicians, Customer Service Technician, Equipment and Appliance Service Tradesperson, Home Appliance Repairer, Mechanic
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $25.22 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $28.89 |
| Top | $32.14 |
Interest in operating electrical test equipment to conduct voltage, resistance and other tests, and in operating soldering equipment and hand tools to replace and repair parts
Interest in compiling information to prepare reports of work done
Interest in speaking with customers to establish nature of appliance malfunction and to provide cost estimates for repairs
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Interest in operating test equipment such as meters and gauges to measure resistance, current, voltage and pressure, and to operate hand tools and soldering and brazing equipment
Interest in speaking to customers during service calls to establish nature of appliance malfunction; and in planning service routes and preparing written accounts of work performed
Interest in compiling information to diagnose faults by checking controls, condensers, timer sequences, fans and other components
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Duties vary from one position to another but, in general, appliance service technicians:
In Alberta, there are two branches of this trade:
Appliance service technicians generally work alone with little supervision. Those who repair portable appliances work indoors at a workbench in a shop. Technicians who repair large appliances usually have to drive a truck with an inventory of parts and tools.
Appliance service technicians usually work a 40 hour week but may work overtime in an emergency or at busy times of the year. Some work Saturdays and evenings to serve customers and the hours of work can vary considerably for those who are self-employed.
The physical demands of the work vary. Installing and servicing large appliances requires moving appliances (which may weigh over 20 kg) and a considerable amount of standing, stooping, kneeling and reaching. Benchwork is not as physically demanding.
There is some risk physical injury due to electrical shocks, cuts, burns or muscle strain.
Appliance service technicians need the following characteristics:
They should enjoy working independently, meeting and helping people, solving problems and working with their hands.
To work in Alberta, an appliance service technician or commercial appliance service technician must be ONE of the following:
To register with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, apprentices must:
Terms of apprenticeship are different for each branch of this trade:
High school students can earn credits toward apprenticeship training and a high school diploma at the same time through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP).
Applicants who have related training or work experience may be eligible for credit or certification.
Apprentices in the appliance service technician branch of the trade may take the interprovincial exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training to earn a Red Seal (certification recognized in most parts of Canada).
Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary.
For more information, visit the Technical Training Centre on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Appliance service technicians install, service and repair appliances such as ranges, ovens, clothes washers, dryers, freezers, refrigerators, air conditioners, microwave ovens, dishwashers, waste disposers and waste compactors. Commercial appliance service technicians work on commercial appliances (except refrigeration systems). For more information, see the Trades and Occupations section of Alberta's Tradesecrets website.
Under Alberta's Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act and Appliance Service Technician Trade Regulation, you must have a certificate that is recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training or be a registered apprentice to install, service or repair household or commercial appliances in Alberta.
The term of apprenticeship for appliance service technicians is three years (three 12 month periods) that include a minimum of 1,600 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of technical training each year. The term is the same for commercial appliance service technicians except there is no technical training in the last year of apprenticeship. Apprentices must find suitable employers who are willing to hire and train apprentices, and successfully complete technical training examinations.
Appliance service technicians from other provinces and territories can work in Alberta if they hold a certificate or license recognized by the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board. For more information, see the Recognized Trade Certificates page of the Tradesecrets website.
Any of the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Service Offices located throughout Alberta. For a list of office locations and telephone numbers, click on "Contact Us" on the home page of the Tradesecrets website (tradesecrets.alberta.ca).
Appliance service technicians work for:
With experience and knowledge of how to run a small business, appliance service technicians may start their own independent appliance service companies or appliance sales and service outlets. They also may become factory service representatives employed by manufacturers to supervise authorized repair depots in a particular region. Experienced technicians employed in larger organizations may become specialists or advance to supervisory positions such as foreman or service manager.
Alberta certified journeyperson appliance service technicians who have the supervisory or management skills required by industry may apply for an Achievement in Business Competencies Blue Seal by contacting Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Appliance service technicians are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 7332: Electrical Appliance Servicers and Repairers. In Alberta, 86% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $20 to $30 an hour plus benefits (2014 estimates). Apprentice appliance service technicians earn at least 55% of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 70% in the second and 85% in the third. According to the Alberta Provincial Apprenticeship Committee for this trade, journeypersons who are self-employed or work on a commission basis may earn more depending on their skill and initiative.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $17.00 | $33.00 | $25.22 | $25.00 |
| Overall | $23.80 | $35.40 | $28.89 | $27.50 |
| Top | $26.50 | $37.00 | $32.14 | $32.81 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $61,330 |
|---|---|
| Retail Trade | $55,242 |
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.
Updated Mar 23, 2015. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.