Work Environment
Domestic Appliance Service Technicians typically work in the following Career Sectors:
Videos on the Web
- Domestic Appliance Service Technician- from: Youtube Search
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
- Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
The Work
Domestic Appliance Service Engineers make use of a variety of hand and power tools to install, service and repair a wide range of electrical and gas appliances.
Some tasks call for reference to technical manuals. The domestic services engineer must be familiar with specifications and parts for all domestic appliances as their duties may involve working on anything from kettles to deep freeses.
Workshop engineers have the facilities, tools and test equipment for complete analysis, dismantling and servicing appliances in houses, and in installing and servicing appliances in non-domestic premises such as cookers in company or school canteens or restaurants, tumble dryers in launderettes, heating in offices etc.
Workshop engineers also carry out the complete renovation or updating of older appliances, for resale as second hand models. With smaller, local shops members of the public may bring portable appliances to them for service.
Repairs to small appliances are usually carried out in a service workshop whereas the vast majority of larger household appliances are required by the "field Engineer" who operates on a call out basis.
Customer relations and the paperwork form an important part of the engineers' workload. Work hours are variable and irregular depending on the work schedule.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Bill customers for repair work, and collect payment.
- Observe and examine appliances during operation to detect specific malfunctions such as loose parts or leaking fluid.
- Talk to customers or refer to work orders to establish the nature of appliance malfunctions.
- Refer to schematic drawings, product manuals, and troubleshooting guides to diagnose and repair problems.
- Trace electrical circuits, following diagrams, and conduct tests with circuit testers and other equipment to locate shorts and grounds.
- Replace worn and defective parts such as switches, bearings, transmissions, belts, gears, circuit boards, or defective wiring.
- Provide repair cost estimates, and recommend whether appliance repair or replacement is a better choice.
- Disassemble appliances so that problems can be diagnosed and repairs can be made.
- Respond to emergency calls for problems such as gas leaks.
- Service and repair domestic electrical or gas appliances, such as clothes washers, refrigerators, stoves, and dryers.
Further Information
- Domestic Appliance Service Technician - from: N.C.S. [UK]
Qualities - Domestic Appliance Service Technician
To be a domestic appliance service engineer, you must also enjoy solving problems. You need to be able to develop strong practical skills - and you must be able to handle appliances safely. You need to be able to understand technical drawings, service manuals and circuit diagrams. A good understanding of physics is beneficial.
Many domestic appliance service engineers visit customers in their homes, so it is very important that you are polite, friendly and helpful. Customer care skills are a must. You will be working on your own, so you must be able to take responsibility for diagnosing repairs and ordering parts. A driving licence is usually essential.
You need to be physically fit to lift and move heavy appliances. Your colour vision may be tested.
Interests - Domestic Appliance Service Technician
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Entry - Domestic Appliance Service Technician
There are many pathways to develop in this applied and varied trade & technical role.
Key Skills
-A full class B driving licence is a necessary requirement for most of these positions.
-Manual Handling
Training & Development
FET Centre Traineeship: Engineering operaitons, Engineering Technology, Van Delivery Driver, Maintenance skills Tech in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5 Search our FET Coursefinder
FET PLC Courses: Engineering, ICT Technician, Electronic & mechanical engineering NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder
Apprenticeship: Allied trades, engineering & construction Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-8 Search Apprenticeships
Higher Education CAO Entry: Electronic/ mechanical/ electrical/ electronic/ general engineering at NFQ Levels 7-8 Search our CAO coursefinder
Postgraduate Study Options Sales, Business, Management NFQ level 9
Last Updated: April, 2023
Pay & Salary - Domestic Appliance Service Technician
Salary Range (thousands per year)* 26k - 48k
Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, location, and experience.
Data Source(s):
Glassdoor/ WRC / Indeed / Morgan McKinley
Last Updated: March, 2024
* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.
View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available
Labour Market Updates - Domestic Appliance Service Technician
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
Despite a strong five-year annual average employment growth rate, the numbers employed declined marginally between 2021 and 2022. Over half (55%) were employed in the professional activities sector with the remainder spread across industry and other sectors. The number of employment permits issued in 2022 grew strongly (and remained strong in the first five months of 2023) in roles including electrical, mechanical, automation, and validation engineers. There is evidence in the Recruitment Agency Survey of difficulties in filling vacancies for roles in electrical, automation, mechanical, and environmental health & safety (EHS) engineers.
Skills for Growth and Spotlight on Skills data highlight issues with sourcing mechanical, automation and process engineers, with project management, Lean Six Sigma, and CAD/AutoCAD skills in particular demand for these roles. Despite a 3% fall in 2022, this occupation was amongst the most frequently mentioned in online job adverts. Overall demand for this occupation may moderate, although this may be offset by any increase in the extension of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5 technologies to more traditional manufacturing sectors and smaller sized companies; in addition, increased activity associated with the generation of green energy (mechanical/electrical) will also drive demand for these skills. As such, difficulty in sourcing suitably qualified and experienced engineers is expected to continue, albeit in smaller numbers.
Useful Contacts - Domestic Appliance Service Technician
-
Retail Ireland
-
The National Guild of Master Craftsmen
- 3 Greenmount Lane Harold's Cross Dublin 12
- [email protected]
- Click Here