Domestic Appliance Service Engineer
What is the work like?
As a domestic appliance service engineer, you would install and repair household appliances such as cookers, washing machines and fridge freezers. You might also deal with items like televisions and hi-fi equipment.
Your duties could include:
- making visits to customers to carry out scheduled safety inspections
- installing new appliances in customers' homes
- attending call-outs for emergency repairs
- offering quotes for insurance purposes
- organising replacements where faulty equipment has to be repaired in a workshop
- maintaining adequate stocks of parts
- recording work details, preparing invoices and dealing with payments
- keeping business accounts in order (if self-employed).
You would use a range of hand and power tools in your work, and electrical measurement and testing instruments, including computerised fault-finding equipment.
Increasingly, you may be involved in the refurbishment, recycling and safe disposal of older appliances in line with electrical waste regulations.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You do not always need formal qualifications to do this job, but in practice you would normally need some recognised training. You may also find it difficult to get public liability insurance without qualifications.
You could take a college course such as:
- BTEC National Certificate and Diploma in Electrical or Electronic Engineering
- EAL Diploma in Advanced Electrical and Electronic Principles
- City & Guilds (6958) Progression Award in Electrical Electronics Servicing at levels 2 and 3 (contains options in TV, DVD and PC repair).
You may also be able to train for this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
You would be expected to have normal colour vision for electrical work, and you may also need a driving licence.
You may have an advantage when looking for work if you have previous experience and/or qualifications in any of the following areas:
- electrics or electronics
- mechanical engineering
- plumbing or gas servicing
- refrigeration.
See the Related profiles section below for more details about working in these areas.
For more information about this career, see the Domestic Appliance Service Association (DASA) website.
What further training and development can I do?
Once you are employed, you would train on the job under the supervision of an experienced technician. You could take a variety of work-based NVQ qualifications, but the exact award would depend on your particular area of work.
Relevant NVQ awards include:
- Electrical and Electronics Servicing at levels 2 and 3
- Mechanical Engineering Services: Plumbing at levels 2 and 3
- Domestic Natural Gas Installation and Maintenance levels 2 and 3.
You will find more details about specific NVQs in the Related profiles below.
If your job includes servicing electrical appliances you are likely to need the City & Guilds Inspection, Testing and Certification of Installations (2391/2) and City & Guilds 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations (2382).
If you are servicing gas appliances you will need CORGI registration*. Contact CORGI for details.
* The Corgi Registration Scheme is being phased out and will be replaced by a new registration scheme, administered by Capita, from 1 April 2009. See the HSE press release for more information.
The DASA offers a membership scheme for independent service engineers together with details of codes of practice. See their website for more information.
Where can I go for more information?
69 The MaltingsStanstead Abbotts
Hertfordshire
SG12 8HG
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
Related profiles...
Electrical Engineering Technician
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries are between £12,000 and £15,000 a year.
- Experienced engineers earn between £16,000 and £22,000.
- Engineers with specialist skills, such as gas servicing, can earn over £25,000 a year.
Additional allowances may be offered for call-out duties.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would work 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. You may have on-call duties to cover evenings and weekends, or offer a call-out service if you are self-employed.
You would mostly work in customers' homes, but could carry out some repairs in the workshop. As a result, you are likely to spend quite a lot of time on the road, travelling from job to job.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- good practical skills
- excellent problem-solving skills
- a reliable and punctual approach to work
- the ability to work on your own, without supervision
- basic IT skills
- the ability to write reports
- good communication and customer care skills
- an understanding of health and safety, and electrical waste regulations.
What opportunities are there?
Opportunities are good for qualified service engineers. You could find work with appliance manufacturers, servicing contractors, local authorities, recycling projects, public utility companies and retailers.
You will find jobs advertised in the press, through job centres or by contacting companies directly.
With experience, you could move into management, regional services coordination, technical sales or training. You could also become self-employed.
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