Were you the child in your neighborhood that was always taking toys apart just to see how they work and get put back together? As a teenager, did you like to tinker with the engines in old cars? If so, then maybe a career as an appliance technician is right for you! An appliance technician maintains and repairs all kinds of commercial and residential appliances such as dishwashers, ranges, washers, refrigerators, dryers, microwave ovens, cooktops and even garbage disposals and trash compactors.
Training
Appliance technician training is offered through vocational courses, on-the-job-training with your employer or junior colleges. It all really depends on what appliance you want to repair. If you decide to maintain and repair small appliances like microwave ovens, then an apprenticeship may be all that’s needed. If you’d like to maintain and repair large appliances like dryers and ranges, then more training might be required with college courses and an apprenticeship. Often, there are day courses and training seminars to teach technicians about repairing the newer appliance models. After the initial training, it’s a good idea to keep expanding your knowledge on appliances by going to seminars, reading manuals and being aware of the newest style and technology in appliances.
Apprenticeship
Being an apprentice will be exciting because you’ll be exposed to all kinds of appliances! But there are things you’ll have to learn in order be an appliance technician like how to troubleshoot problems by ensuring that the wires are all connected, learn to read appliance manuals as well as drawings and you’ll learn how to dismantle and reassemble an appliance while trying to locate interior problems. As an apprentice you’ll go to appointments with an skilled technician and not only learn repair techniques, but customer service techniques as well. Depending on how well and fast you learn, an apprenticeship can last either a few months or a year.
Certification
A lot of employers won’t require appliance technician certification. However, if you decide to become a specific type of appliance technician—for example, dishwasher maintenance and repair—then you must pass an Environmental Protection Agency test. This examination is provided by various colleges and vocational programs or it can be taken on your own. There are other options for certification through the Professional Service Association or the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians. These tests will examine your understanding of common appliance repairs in addition to specific appliances.
If a career as an appliance technician is what you’re looking for, please contact us and we’ll help you get started in enrolling at our Academy.