Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
Career Overview
Assemblers and inspectors in this unit group work for aircraft and aircraft component manufacturers and perform a variety of tasks.
People in this occupation:
- Put together, fit and install pre-made parts to manufacture fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft or aircraft components
- Examine aircraft components to ensure they meet engineering specifications
Job Titles
Duties
Assemblers:
- Read and interpret aircraft assembly diagrams
- Assemble and fit pre-made parts to form components, working at benches or directly on an aircraft structure
- Assemble, fit and install pre-made parts and components such as aircraft skins, flight controls, rigging, hydraulics and other mechanical systems
Inspectors:
- Inspect aircraft components, using measuring and testing equipment to ensure they meet engineering specifications
- Check assemblies for alignment, symmetry, dimensions, fit and quality of workmanship
- Complete detailed inspection documentation
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
60% Employed Full Time
67%Key aspects of work in this occupation:
- Assemblers and inspectors in this unit group usually work in an indoor work environment.
- This work can produce enough noise to cause loss of hearing
- Work may be performed with equipment, machinery or power/hand tools that could cause an injury
Examples:
- Operating metal machining tools to shape metal
- Using hand and power tools to fabricate wood products
Career Pathways
With experience, aircraft assemblers and assembly inspectors may progress to supervisory positions.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
- Completion of secondary school is required
- Completion of a college or other program in aviation or aeronautical technology, with emphasis in aircraft manufacturing, may be required
- Aircraft assemblers receive several months of on-the-job and classroom training
- Aircraft assembly inspectors require experience as an aircraft assembler
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Aircraft Mechanic/Maintenance
Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure that a machine is working properly.
Teaching others how to do something.
Labour Market Statistics
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Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
60Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 0 | 0.0% |
| Kootenay | 0 | 0.0% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 30 | 50.0% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 0 | 0.0% |
| Northeast | 0 | 0.0% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 0 | 0.0% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 25 | 41.7% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
20Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | Not available | Not available |
| Kootenay | Not available | Not available |
| Mainland/Southwest | 20 | 1.6% |
| North Coast and Nechako | Not available | Not available |
| Northeast | Not available | Not available |
| Thompson-Okanagan | Not available | Not available |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 0 | -0.7% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 20 |
Resources
Resource information is currently not available.