Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers install, adjust, and repair radio and television receivers, direct-broadcast satellite TV systems, stereo systems, audio and video tape recorders and players, and other electronic items.

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION

Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers may:

Talk to customers to determine type of problem

Analyze and test products and parts to locate the trouble

Check circuits using test equipment on a specific problem

Consult wiring diagrams and service manuals

Replace worn-out or defective components

Solder to repair or replace circuits

Explain repairs to customers

Make service calls and repair units in customers' homes or take units to the shop for major repairs

Clean out dirt and moisture

Keep up with new technology such as solid state devices, integrated circuitry, and digital circuitry

Give cost estimates for labor and materials

Tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers may specialize in these areas:

720.281-018 TELEVISION-AND-RADIO REPAIRERS adjust and fix radios and television receivers using hand tools and electronic testing equipment.

720.281-010 RADIO REPAIRERS adjust and fix transmitters and receivers, phonographs, recorders, and other electronic audio equipment using circuit diagrams and test meters. They may also install radios in automobiles. They might compute charges for labor and materials.

720.281-014 TAPE-RECORDER REPAIRERS test, repair, and adjust tape-recording machines, following schematic diagrams and manufacturer's specifications, using hand tools and electronic testing equipment.

823.361-010 TELEVISION INSTALLERS use hand tools to install and adjust television receivers and antennas.

Some Repairers specialize in only one type of equipment.

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

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

In the customer's home, Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers work alone. In a shop, they might work alone or with other Repairers. Persons receiving on-the-job training usually work under the close supervision of experienced technicians.

Equipment Installers and Repairers who work in shops or manufacturing plants usually work in clean, well lighted rooms. When making service calls they may have to travel long distances in all kinds of weather. They may be exposed to such hazards as electrical shocks, cuts from breaking tubes, and falls from roofs when working on antennas. Physical strain may result from lifting and carrying equipment. Training in safety methods offsets most hazards.

Installers and Repairers who work in repair shops of manufacturers' service branches generally work a 5-day, 40-hour week. Many smaller shops require 6-day, 48-hour weeks with some evening and weekend hours.

Some employers provide the tools, supplies, and equipment needed for the work, although some Installers and Repairers prefer to provide their own specialty tools.

Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers join labor unions representing employees at their place of work. Union members must pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Doing work which is routine and organized

• Working with tools and equipment to make and repair things

You Should Be Able To:

• Rate information using standards that can be measured or checked

• Learn and apply electrical and electronic theory

• Picture objects from drawings and diagrams

• See small details in objects

• Do detailed, accurate work

• Communicate with customers

• Cross-reference various manufacturers' parts specifications

• Stay abreast of new technological developments

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If a voltage reading is taken between any two ungrounded conductors on a 120/208 volt, three-phase, 4-wire Y-Y-connected electric service, what would the normal voltage reading be?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

An alternating current will flow when an AC voltage is applied to the primary coil of a transformer. This current produces a field of force which changes as the current changes. The changing magnetic field is carried by the magnetic core to the secondary coil, where it cuts across the turns of that coil.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a written estimate for an entertainment set installation upon the request of a potential customer.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Should be able to demonstrate analytical skills and be detail oriented in installing and repairing electronic equipment.

Although the State of Michigan does not require Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers to be licensed, some cities, such as Detroit, do require licensure. Persons interested in this career should inquire about licensing requirements in the local area where they plan to work. Installers and Repairers who operate vans or trucks must have valid drivers' licenses. Drivers may also need the special endorsements and/or designations of The Michigan Commercial Driver's License (CDL) on their license depending on the type of vehicle. Testing and fees are required.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond high school) or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) or an Apprenticeship (usually three to four years of training 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***

0500 BUILDING TRADES , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1200 ELECTRONICS , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

033 ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS REPAIR

Approved vocational education programs in Electrical and Electronics repair prepare students to test, install, maintain, and repair electrical and electronics systems and components. These programs generally prepare students to operate, maintain, and repair electronic business machines, communications equipment, large and small appliances, and vending machines. Instruction includes the use of testing equipment.

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

056 ELECTRO-MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY

Approved vocational education programs in Electro-Mechanical Technology train students in electronics, communications, electricity, automation/maintenance, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Students are allowed to select courses from more than one area of study. The 2 phase program teaches foundation skills as well as a common set of electro-mechanical skills which are generic to all like occupations.

Courses in other trade & industrial programs may be required for completion of this program.

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***

054 TELEVISION & RADIO REPAIRER

Some people enter occupations within this MOIScript through an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program is a formal program that takes 3 - 5 years to complete with most of the time spent on the job.

WHAT IS LEARNED ON THE JOB

WHAT IS LEARNED IN THE CLASSROOM

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military web site at http://www.myfuture.com

ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT REPAIRERS

The military uses electronic instruments in many areas, including health care, weather forecasting, flight control, and combat, to name a few. Electronic instrument repairers maintain and repair electronic instruments, such as precision measuring equipment, navigational controls, photographic equipment, and biomedical instruments. Electronic instrument repairers normally specialize by type of equipment or instrument being repaired.

What They Do

Electronic instrument repairers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Test meteorological and medical instruments, navigational controls, and simulators using electronic and electrical test equipment

• Read technical diagrams and manuals in order to locate, isolate, and repair instrument parts

• Replace equipment parts such as resistors, switches, and circuit boards

Training Provided

Job training consists of 15 to 30 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice in repairing and replacing equipment parts. Training length varies depending on specialty. Course content typically includes:

• Principles of electronics

• Use and maintenance of electrical and electronic test equipment

• Equipment repair exercises

The Navy and the Marine Corps offer certified apprenticeship programs for some specialties in this occupation.

Work Environment

Electronic instrument repairers usually work in repair shops and laboratories.

Physical Demands

Normal color vision is required to work with color-coded wiring. Some specialties require a minimum age of 18 to enter.

Helpful Attribute

Helpful school subjects include math and electronic equipment repair. Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in working with electronic equipment

• Interest in solving problems

• Attention to detail

Civilian Counterparts

Most civilian electronic instrument repairers work for manufacturing, medical research, satellite communications firms, or commercial airlines. They may also work for government agencies, such as the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or the National Weather Service. They perform the same kind of duties as military instrument repairers. They are called electronics mechanics, dental equipment repairers, or biomedical equipment technicians, depending on their specialty.

Opportunities

The services have about 6,000 electronic instrument repairers. On average, they need about 500 new repairers each year. After job training, they are assigned to an operations or equipment maintenance unit. They perform routine maintenance and simple repair jobs. In time, they may perform more difficult repairs and supervise other repair personnel. Eventually, they may become supervisors or managers of electronic equipment maintenance units.  

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Persons may gain experience in this field through military service or formal apprenticeships. Secondary vocational education co-op programs in electrical and electronics repair or electro-mechanical technology may provide experience. Postsecondary programs in electrical and electronics equipment installation and repair may offer opportunities for experience also. Summer or part-time work might be available in many businesses, and work-experience programs might be offered through community colleges.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Electrical Home Entertainment Equipment Installer & Repairer employer

internships

volunteer work with a Electrical Home Entertainment Equipment Installer & Repairer employer

community service work with an agency

Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers may find jobs through direct application to employers or by consulting school placement offices, local unions, Michigan Works! offices, and 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 depend on geographic area, size and type of employer, and skill level. Wages are usually highest in unionized shops. Some technicians are paid commissions based on the repairs they make.

Nationally, electrical and electronic equipment repairers, including Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers, had a median annual salary of $34,580 (or $16.63 per hour) in 1998.

 Television Equipment Repairers and Radio Communications Technicians who work for the State of        Michigan  earned from $11.26 to $21.66 per hour in 1999.

Some appliance Installers and Repairers employed in the retail sector in the Detroit area earned from $6.23 to $16.62 per hour. Experienced technicians who supervise other technicians may earn up to $18.70 per hour in 1999. The repairers who work on expensive equipment earn more. In 1999, a major national manufacturer with a repair facility in Michigan paid the following salaries:

The 1997 graduates of high school vocational education programs in Michigan who were working in jobs related to this occupation earned a beginning average of $7.84 per hour in 1998.

Most Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers receive paid vacations and holidays, life and health insurance, and retirement plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by employers.

Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers may advance through training, experience, ability, and demonstrated supervisory ability. They may become supervisors or service managers or they may start their own businesses.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally in 1996, about 32,800 Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers were employed. Opportunities for employment in this occupation are expected to decline through the year 2006. About 14.5% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Electronic Home Entertainment Installers and Repairers looked like this:

The increasing growth in the number of new home entertainment products (home computers, direct-broadcast satellite TV systems, disc players, and camcorders) will create the opportunities for employment of Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers.

Closed-circuit television, which is being used more often to monitor production processes in manufacturing facilities, protect property, and provide educational programming in schools, will also create additional need. However, the demand for such consumer electronic products as televisions, VCRs, and auto sound equipment has reached its highest point and will not rise through the 1990's. Also, technological improvements in manufacturing, servicing, and repairing products will keep employment from rising as fast as might otherwise be expected.

There were about 1,300 Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers employed in Michigan. They worked primarily in electronic repair shops, furniture and appliance stores, and department stores.

Employment of Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers in Michigan is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 30 annual openings is expected, with 10 due to growth and 20 due to replacement of workers who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers transfer to other jobs or occupations.

Electronic parts are increasing in home entertainment equipment. This has influenced the field in several ways. First, it is simpler and more cost effective to replace a module or even a whole item rather than provide extensive repair. In addition, electronic parts are more reliable and require less repair. So, although the sales of electronic home entertainment equipment has increased, there has not been a matching increase in the employment of Repairers. However, because experience in commercial and industrial electronic repair is good preparation for other jobs such as office machines and cash register servicer, computer service technician, and broadcast technician, a large proportion of Electronics Home entertainment Installers and Repairers transfer to other occupations.

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 Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installer and Repairer can be summarized by the following:

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development