Telecommunications Installation & Repair Workers

Description

Remember the old days when people had to share telephone lines? No, you probably don't. But imagine: half the time you'd pick up the phone to make a call, and one of your neighbours would be using it already. We've come a long way, and in a very short time. Cellphones, fax machines, mobile radios, computer-to-computer networks...it all falls under the umbrella of telecommunications, and it's a fascinating field in which to work.

As an installer, you consult plans, manuals, and technical specifications as part of your installation plan. Then you go to work, using power and hand tools to connect wires, equipment, and hardware. As a repairer, you respond to calls when things go wrong--and fix them! You may be dealing directly with customers, so it's important to be courteous and professional.

Specific duties

Telephone installers and repairers perform some or all of the following duties:

• install, arrange, remove and maintain telephone equipment, wiring and associated hardware
  
• test installed telephone systems to locate transmission faults
  
• repair or replace defective and damaged telephones, wire and associated equipment.
  

Switch network installers and repairers perform some or all of the following duties:

• install electro mechanical, analog and digital trunking systems, circuits and equipment in telecommunications central offices and switching centres
  
• inspect and test trunking systems, circuits and equipment
  
• analyse test results and adjust, change or repair switching system and associated equipment.
  

Telecommunications service testers perform some or all of the following duties:

• operate computerized testing systems to conduct service tests on customer lines and equipment
  
• determine the nature, cause and location of service trouble
  
• initiate the dispatch of appropriate repair personnel
  
• complete test reports and maintain test and service records
  
• assist repair personnel to test lines, circuits and systems, isolate and clear cable faults and verify records.
  

Telecommunications equipment technicians perform some or all of the following duties:

• install, remove and maintain various telecommunications equipment and related systems such as telex and facsimile machines, teletypewriters, mobile radios, cellular telephones, and other related telecommunications equipment
  
• inspect and test operation of telecommunications equipment
  
• diagnose and locate equipment faults, and adjust, replace or repair telecommunications equipment.
  

Related careers

You might be also be interested in these careers that have similar educational and/or training requirements, or that share similar duties.

• Electrical Trades Supervisors
• Telecommunications Carriers Managers
• Telecommunications Line & Cable Workers

High school path

A CareerMATTERS consultant suggests these high school courses would be helpful. They are not pre-requisites to post secondary programs, nor are they necessary to obtain employment. You should consult with your school counsellor to make the best choices for your own career path.

Recommended Courses
Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
English
ENG1D English, Grade 9, Academic or ENG1P English, Grade 9, Applied	ENG2D English, Grade 10, Academic or ENG2P English, Grade 10, Applied	ENG3C English, Grade 11, College Preparation or ENG3E English, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation	ENG4C English, Grade 12, College Preparation or ENG4E English, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation
Math
MFM1P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 9, Applied or MPM1D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 9, Academic	MFM2P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 10, Applied or MPM2D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10, Academic	MBF3C Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 11, College Preparation or MEL3E Mathematics for Work and Everyday Life, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation	MAP4C Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 12, College Preparation or MCT4C Mathematics for College Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation or MEL4E Mathematics for Work and Everyday Life, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation
Science
SNC1D Science, Grade 9, Academic or SNC1P Science, Grade 9, Applied	SNC2D Science, Grade 10, Academic or SNC2P Science, Grade 10, Applied	SNC3E Science, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation or SNC3M Science, Grade 11, University/College Preparation	SNC4E Science, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation or SNC4M Science, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or SPH4C Physics, Grade 12, College Preparation
Optional
TTI1O Integrated Technologies, Grade 9, Open	TDJ2O Technological Design, Grade 10, Open or TEE2O Computer Engineering Technology, Grade 10, Open or TGJ2O Communications Technology, Grade 10, Open or TIK2O Computer and Information Science, Grade 10, Open or TMJ2O Manufacturing Technology, Grade 10, Open	ICE3E Computer Engineering, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation or ICE3M Computer Engineering, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or TDJ3E Technological Design, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation or TDJ3M Technological Design, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or TGJ3E Communications Technology, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation or TGJ3M Communications Technology, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or TMJ3C Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Grade 11, College Preparation or TMJ3E Manufacturing Technology, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation	ICE4E Computer Engineering, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation or ICE4M Computer Engineering, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or TDJ4E Technological Design, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation or TDJ4M Technological Design, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or TGJ4E Communications Technology, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation or TGJ4M Communications Technology, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or TMJ4C Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation or TMJ4E Manufacturing Technology, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation

* a job shadowing/co-op experience is recommended

* students should consult their counsellor for appropriate Technology options in Grades 11 and 12

* some workplace occupations may require students to take some college-level courses

Post-secondary options

• If you want to be a telephone or switch network installer or repairer, you might need to enrol in a three- to four-year apprenticeship program. Or, you could combine three years work experience in the trade with some high school, college, or industry-related courses.
  
• Telecommunications equipment technicians usually require completion of a college electrical and electronics program and several months of on-the-job training.
  
• Experience as an installer and repairer (telephone and switch network) is usually required for service testers.

There may be several different paths to a career. Post-secondary education or training programs will help, but they are not a guarantee. You should research your options carefully before deciding on any program of study. Click here for a comparison chart of institutions or accreditations.

The following programs offered at Ontario post-secondary institutions may be helpful in pursuing a career in this field. In addition to the institutions listed here, please refer to "For more information" (at left) for a list of organizations and associations that may also offer programs of study.

Institution	Programs offered
College
Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning	Electronics Engineering Technology-Telecommunications Systems (Optional Co-op)
Humber College	Wireless and Telecommunications Technology
Seneca College	Electronics Engineering Technicican - Communications
Sheridan College	Telecommunications Technology
Sheridan College - Davis Campus (Brampton)	Telecommunications Technology
Registered Career College
Granton Institute of Technology	Electrical Construction Wiring Certificate Telephone Technology and Repair

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Career path

Wondering how you could prepare for a career in this field? Or what else you might do once you have some experience?

Once you're trained and have experience as a telecommunications installer or technician, you've got "mobility" (pun intended!). This field is expanding and growing by leaps and bounds, so there's lots of opportunity to explore different jobs if you want.

Employers

These are examples of the places, businesses and industries that employ people in this field:

telecommunications companies
electronic equipment manufacturers
electrical construction firms
metal and metal products wholesalers
telephone, telegraph and other telecommunications transmission services

Work environment

Working conditions depend on the position. You may work in telephone exchanges, computer rooms, service depots, business offices, or private homes. You may have to work outdoors, no matter what the weather, on towers and telegraph poles or in trenches and underground tunnels. The work can be physically demanding. Shift work may be required or you may be on call 24 hours a day for emergency repairs.

Common job titles

Also Known As....

Switching apprentice communication electrician
Cellular telephone technician
Central office technician
Communication technician
Telephone exchange tester
Telephone line and station installer
Mobile radio installer
Private branch exchange installer
Switch network installer and repairer
Telecommunications equipment technician
Telephone installer

For more information

Links to associations, organizations, unions and other places that may be able to provide more information.

• Apprenticeship: Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
  Information about apprenticeship opportunities in Ontario including training info, contacts, etc.

• Canadian Association of Broadcasters
  An interesting, informative site. The CAB represents the vast majority of Canadian programming services, including private television and radio stations and networks, and specialty, pay and pay-per-view television services. Has information on industry issues such as Canadian content, and social policy issues such as cultural diversity and violence.

• Canadian Technology Human Resources Board
  Be sure to check out their Look Ahead, Get Ahead (under Career Choices on left nav.) for terrific info about wide-open choices available.

• Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association

• Ontario Job Futures
  Information on occupations common to Ontario. Includes job descriptions, employment outlook, salaries, etc. (Government of Ontario)

• Telecommunications Workers Union