Office Machine Repairers maintain and repair the increasing numbers and types of office equipment used for correspondence, recording and processing transactions, and duplicating and mailing information. They may maintain office equipment on a regular basis or check and repair defective machines.

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION

Office Machine Repairers may:

Inspect & test office machines to determine the cause of problems

Disassemble machines and examine parts such as gears, guides, rollers, and pinions for wear and damage

Repair, adjust, or replace parts

Perform preventative maintenance by cleaning, brushing, vacuuming, and oiling moving parts

Reassemble machines and test for proper operation

Give instructions on the operation and care of machines to machine operators

Adjust interrelated parts on defective equipment

Make out proper repair bills, shop records, and time cards

Remove electronic circuit board for repair by others

Fill machines with toners, inks, or other duplicating fluids

Telephone customers to see if the problem can be resolved by providing the needed technical information

Drive the company car or van to the customers office

The tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Office Machine Repairers may specialize in these areas:

633.281-018 OFFICE-MACHINE SERVICERS maintain and repair the increasing numbers and types of office equipment used for correspondence, recording and processing transactions, and duplicating and mailing information. They may maintain office equipment on a regular basis or check and repair defective machines.

633.281-014 DICTATING-TRANSCRIBING-MACHINE SERVICERS repair magnetic tape and grooved-tape dictating-transcribing machines using wiring diagrams, hand tools, and electronic testing equipment.

633.261-014 MAIL-PROCESSING-EQUIPMENT MECHANICS repair and maintain equipment such as letter-canceling machines, letter-facing-and-canceling machines, mail sorting machines, and conveyor systems.

706.381-030 TYPEWRITER REPAIRERS adjust and repair defective typewriters removed from the production line, using power tools, gages, and hand tools.

633.281-010 CASH-REGISTER SERVICERS test and repair cash registers, using hand tools, power tools, and circuit test meters.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Office Machine Repairers usually work alone in customers' offices or with others in the service shop. Repairers are generally not supervised and the work may be similar to operating an independent business. They may come into contact with a wide variety of business people.

Working conditions vary according to assignment. Repair shops are generally well lighted, heated, and ventilated. The work environment for Repairers assigned outside service work may vary from modern offices to makeshift spaces in factories and warehouses.

Most Repairers work a 5-day, 40-hour week; however, some may work 44 to 48 hours per week including Saturday. Most Machine Repairers work during normal business hours from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. However, Repairers employed by office machine manufacturers may work afternoon or night shifts. Overtime may be necessary to complete some jobs.

A few positions involve considerable traveling within the area served by the employer. Repairers may have to provide their own transportation, but they are usually reimbursed for costs by their employer.

Self-employed Office Machine Repairers pay the expenses of setting up and operating their own businesses. Dealers usually supply tools; however, Repairers sometimes are required to have their own tool kits, which may cost $250 or more, but dealers usually supply tools.

Some Office Machine Repairers may belong to unions and pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities involving processes, machines, and techniques

• Activities producing tangible results

You Should Be Able To:

• Present a neat appearance

• Work without direct supervision

• See differences in shapes and measurements of objects

• Use logical step-by-step procedures in your work

• Visualize three-dimensional forms and shapes

• Evaluate information against measurable standards

• Follow diagrams and instructions precisely

• Calculate the cost of repairs

• Work well with other people and be tactful and patient

• Demonstrate honesty and trustworthiness

• Work easily and skillfully with your hands

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If a certain copy machine averages 400 copies a day and you are supposed to do regular maintenance check-ups every 4000 copies, how often do you have to go back each month?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

A consumer is anyone who buys goods or services for personal use. At one time or another, everyone is a consumer.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report of the problems that you had to fix on any given day.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to analyze how the machinery is malfunctioning and then decide how to alleviate the problem.

Since most Repairers make service calls, a chauffeur's or driver's license may be required. In Michigan, depending upon the weight of the vehicle and other factors, drivers may be required to have the Commercial Drivers License (CDL) endorsement or designation on their license. Repairers who want to work for government agencies may be required to take civil service exams.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent; a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes; a Certificate (program of up to one years of study beyond High School) or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1200 ELECTRONICS , 2200 MATH , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

034 BUSINESS & VENDING MACHINE REPAIR

Approved vocational education programs in Business and Vending Machine maintenance prepare students to maintain and repair a variety of office machines, calculators, data-processing equipment, duplicating machines, and word processing machines as well as vending machines and related equipment. Instruction is given in diagnosing and testing, and the principles of the mechanics, electricity, and electronics of office machines.

The following courses may be required for completion of this program:

BUSINESS MACHINES

VENDING MACHINES

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

196 ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION & REPAIR

Programs in Electrical and Electronics Equipment Installation and Repair provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment installing, servicing, maintaining, and/or repairing electrical and electronics systems, machines, appliances, and related equipment.

Courses within this program will vary but may include:

   Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

Although this occupation has apprenticeship programs available in Michigan, they are limited in number. See the Sources Of More Information below for name, address and phone number of the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.

You will also find a more extensive list of information sources in the "What Is An Apprenticeship?" document found under the MOIS Supports Menu Items.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS**

  There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript. 

  E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Since this work is technical and requires specialized training, opportunities for experience and exploration are limited. However, part- time routine work may be available in repair shops. Secondary vocational education programs in electronics or business and vending machine repair as well as related postsecondary programs in electrical and electronics installation and repair might offer a co-op portion which includes practical experience.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Office Machine Repairer employer

internships

volunteer work with a Office Machine Repairer employer

community service work with an agency

To find a job as an Office Machine Repairer, apply directly to manufacturers and distributors of office machines, independent office machine sales and service shops, and industrial firms and governmental agencies that do their own repair work. For help in finding a job, contact your school placement office or a local office of Michigan Works!. Openings are often listed in newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

  Michigan Talent Bank

  America's Job Bank

  Classifieds Employment

  Yahoo! Careers

  MONSTER.COM

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Office Machine Repairers vary with employer, geographic location, worker's experience, and complexity of the equipment serviced.

Nationally, median weekly earnings for Office Machine Repairers were about $594 per week or $30,888 per year in 1998. In 1999, a major manufacturer of office machines paid repairers the following annual average wages:

Annual wage rates for Office Machine Repairers and Reproduction (printing) Machine Repairers employed by the State of Michigan ranged between $30,409 and $40,539 (mid 1999). Some Repairers may earn extra income in commissions for selling service contracts. Some may receive cost-of-living allowances.

Depending on the employer, most Office Machine Repairers receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; retirement plans; and sick pay. Some employers also provide company cars. These benefits are paid for, at least in part, by the employer.

Most Office Machine Repairers begin as trainees. With experience and technical training, they may become qualified Repairers. In large shops, qualified Repairers may advance to supervisory positions. Opportunities for promotion to supervisory positions are best for experienced Repairers who have had education and training in the latest technological developments in office machines. Some experienced Office Machine Repairers with sales ability may become salespersons for manufacturers of office machines. Others may start their own businesses.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 61,600 Office Machine Repairers employed in 1996. Employment of Office Machine Repairers is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2006. About 4.8% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Office Machine Repairers looked like this:

Excellent employment opportunities exist for qualified beginners. Recently, many technical changes have occurred in business machines. Electronic machines (calculating machines, cash registers) are replacing mechanical models. The increased use of such equipment brings opportunities for Repairers who have training in electronics. Office Machine Repairers have steadier employment than other skilled workers. Office machines must always be maintained, since records must be kept, correspondence completed, and reports prepared.

There are approximately 1,950 Office Machine Repairers employed in Michigan. Most worked in urban areas.

Employment of Office Machine Repairers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 100 job openings should occur annually, with about 20 openings due to growth and 80 openings due to replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations. There is less growth in this occupation because of the trend toward computerized machines which are repaired by computer service technicians. Most opportunities for employment will be for Repairers with training or experience in electronics and computers.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Office Machine Repairer can be summarized by the following:

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development