Electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors and testers
Career Overview
Electronic assemblers, fabricators, inspectors and testers in this unit group work for electronics manufacturing plants and perform a variety of tasks.
People in this occupation:
- Assemble and construct electronic equipment, parts and components
- Inspect and test electronic parts and components to ensure they meet certain standards
Job Titles
Duties
Electronic Assemblers in this unit group:
- Assemble various electronic components on printed circuit boards
- Assemble small circuits requiring fine hand assembly with the use of microscopes and following cleanroom procedures
- Install, mount, fasten, align and adjust parts, components, wiring and harnesses to items using hand and small power tools
- Operate automatic and semi-automatic machines to position, solder and clean components on printed circuit boards
- Replace defective components and repair older devices
Electronic Fabricators in this unit group:
- Operate and check equipment including automatic and semi-automatic machines to make electronic components
- Solder, clean, seal and stamp components and perform other tasks as needed
- Set up equipment and follow cleanroom procedures as required
Inspectors in this unit group:
- Inspect electronic components for quality on products being assembled or fabricated
- Check final assembly for finish, labeling and packaging
- Check shape and size of items and perform electrical tests
- Identify and mark acceptable and defective items and return faulty items to production for repair
- Collect, record and review inspection results
- Investigate equipment malfunction and instruct on proper operation
Electronic testers:
- Operate various test equipment and tools to perform simple tests of electronic components, parts and systems
- Set up and operate automatic testing equipment to locate circuit and wiring problems, shorts and component defects
- Compare test results to specifications and set parts or products aside for repair
- Replace components or parts as needed
- May conduct life tests on items
- Maintain test result reports
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
1,235% Employed Full Time
64%Key aspects of work in this occupation:
- Assemblers and inspectors in this unit group usually work in a conventional controlled environment such as an office, hospital or school
- Work may be performed with equipment, machinery or power/hand tools that could cause an injury
- Workers are exposed to electrical circuitry, high-tension wires, transformers or other equipment that may be a source of electrical shock
Examples:
- Installing or repairing electrical wiring, motors and generators
- Maintaining underground power transmission and distribution systems
- Operating semi-automatic electric arc welding equipment
- Repairing industrial electrical control systems and devices
Career Pathways
Progression from electronics assembler or component fabricator to electronics inspector or tester is possible with additional training and experience.
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 usually required for electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors and testers
- On-the-job training is usually provided for occupations in this unit group
- A two-year apprenticeship and voluntary trade certification is available for electronics assemblers in Saskatchewan
- Electronics testers may require post-secondary courses in basic electronic theory, testing techniques and testing equipment
- Electronics inspectors and testers may require experience as an electronics assembler or component fabricator
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Academic/Basic Upgrading
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.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure that a machine is working properly.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
1,235Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 0 | 0.0% |
| Kootenay | 0 | 0.0% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 975 | 78.9% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 10 | 0.8% |
| Northeast | 0 | 0.0% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 110 | 8.9% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 135 | 10.9% |
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)
500Forecasted 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 | 470 | 1.4% |
| North Coast and Nechako | Not available | Not available |
| Northeast | Not available | Not available |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 30 | 1.6% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 10 | -1.3% |
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 | 300 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 110 |
| Wholesale Trade | 30 |
| Construction | 20 |
| Retail Trade | 20 |
Resources
Resource information is currently not available.
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