Electronics Assemblers and Fabricators

Electronics assemblers and fabricators perform tasks required in manufacturing electronic products such as computer circuit boards, medical equipment, transmitters, receivers, automotive equipment and measuring devices. These tasks generally require working to very precise specifications.

Electronics assemblers put together electronic components, sub-assemblies, products or systems. They may:

• solder and manually place components such as resistors, diodes, transistors, capacitors, integrated circuits, wires and other electronic parts to designated locations on printed circuit boards
• assemble microcircuits requiring fine hand assembly
• install, mount, fasten, align and adjust parts, components, wiring and harnesses to subassemblies and assemblies using hand and small power tools
• operate automatic and semi-automatic machines to position, solder and clean components on printed circuit boards
• assemble mechanical parts into large enclosures, frames or shelves.

Electronics fabricators set up, operate or monitor process equipment such as automatic or semi-automatic machines that fabricate, solder, clean, seal and stamp electronic components.

Most electronics assemblers and fabricators work in assembly plants. Shift work may be required.

Where electronics assemblers also do mechanical assembly, some heavy lifting is required.

Electronics assemblers and fabricators need the ability to:

• perform routine tasks with care and precision
• handle repetitive tasks
• handle small parts and tools
• work at a steady, rapid pace
• distinguish colours used to identify wires and components
• learn new tasks reasonably quickly
• get along well with fellow employees in assembly plants.

They should enjoy operating equipment and performing tasks requiring precision, and having clear rules and organized methods for their work.

Electronics assemblers and fabricators are employed by electronics manufacturers. Plants usually are located in or near major urban centres where there is ready access to parts, courier services and customers. Employees often are hired on a temporary basis to cover peak production periods and may be laid off when production requirements decrease. Some assemblers and fabricators are self-employed and work on a piece work basis.

Experienced electronics assemblers and fabricators may advance to electronics inspector and electronics tester positions. Electronics inspectors check electronic components and assemblies for production faults and keep records of inspection results. Electronics testers:

• use testing equipment to locate circuit and wiring faults and component defects
• repair assemblies
• compare test results to specifications
• prepare reports.

Promotion to electronics tester positions may require some post-secondary education related to basic electronic theory, testing techniques and testing equipment. Without further education, advancement opportunities beyond electronics testing and assembly line supervisory positions are limited.

Electronics assemblers and fabricators are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 9483: Electronics Assemblers, Fabricators, Inspectors and Testers. In Alberta, 80% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Manufacturing (PDF)
• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PDF)

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.