$25 - $45
Average hourly wage
Next information session
no events found
Overview
If you like to be detail-oriented, a problem solver, have good customer service skills and complete precise work, you'll enjoy a career as an appliance service technician. You'll be a part of a dynamic industry that reflects the rapid technological revolution.
You will install, service and repair household and commercial appliances. In general, you will:
- diagnose concerns by interpreting the customer’s or user’s observations
- access manufacturers' service manuals and bulletins and use specialized tools and testing devices to locate the issue(s)
- maintain appliances by disassembling, cleaning internal parts, replacing faulty or worn parts, reassembling and testing
- communicate with customers or on-site managers for the purpose of estimates, and the use and care of their appliances
- prepare work orders, complete reports for billing, and maintain records for parts inventories and future service calls.
You'll be able to complete an apprenticeship as an appliance service technician (3-periods of technical training) or a commercial appliance service technician (2-periods of technical training).
Appliance service technicians work in a diverse industry that offers a large spectrum of work environments including homes, the hospitality industry, medical facilities, jails, grocery stores, bakeries, airports, remote camps and railway companies.
Commercial appliance service technicians also work with a large spectrum of environments including the hospitality industry, medical facilities, jails, grocery stores, bakeries, airports, remote camps and railway companies.
This is a compulsory trade - to work in this trade you need to hold a recognized trade certificate or be a registered apprentice.
Is this the right fit for me?
Appliance service technicians are independent and self-motivated individuals who enjoy meeting and helping people. The work is most rewarding for those who like problem-solving and working with their hands.
To be successful in their trade, appliance service technicians must have:
- good mechanical aptitude and manual dexterity
- the ability to be detail-oriented
- strength, stamina and the ability to lift items in excess of 25 kilograms
- a willingness to keep up-to-date with changing technology
- good problem-solving skills
- the ability to interact with the public in a courteous and tactful manner.
Credentials
Upon successfully completing the required working hours and technical training periods, graduates will be awarded journeyperson status by Alberta's Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Career opportunities
Your career
Start your career by finding an employer who is willing to indenture you as an apprentice. Appliance service technicians work for appliance dealers, independent appliance service companies, department stores, appliance manufacturers' service departments and gas and electric utility companies.
After becoming a journeyperson, you may also become factory service representatives employed by manufacturers to supervise authorized repair depots in a particular region. Experienced appliance service technicians employed in larger organizations may become specialists or advance to supervisory positions such as foreman or service manager.
With experience and knowledge, some journeypersons go on to run a small business, appliance service technicians may start their own independent appliance service companies or appliance sales and service outlets – we can help you build your business with our Blue Seal business certificate
2-3
Periods of training
Tuition and fees per year*
Year 1: $1,033.92
Year 2: $1,033.92
Year 3: $1,033.92
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change
Requirements
The program requirements are set by Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
When can you apply?
- Registration for apprenticeship intakes open August 2020
It’s safety first for COVID-19 in the appliance repair trade
Increased use of appliances during pandemic has Appliance Service Technician grad answering many service calls.
Admission and completion
To enter an apprenticeship, you must have the educational qualifications required or recommended education for the trade to which you apply.
Entrance Requirements are monitored and set by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Minimum requirements
Successful completion of the following courses:
- English 20-2
- Math 20-3
- Science 10
OR
A pass mark in all five Canadian General Educational Development (GED) tests
OR
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Entrance Exam
Recommended Path
Apprentices with an Alberta High School Diploma that includes the following courses:
- English 30-2
- Math 30-3
- Physics 20 and Chemistry 20
- Related career and technology studies (CTS) courses
How to register
Registration for technical training is run through Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. Learn how you can register for your next intake.
Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Services
1.800.248.4823
tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Suite 200 Willow Park Centre
10325 Bonaventure DR. SE
Calgary, AB
After you register
Email is the primary source of communication after you have registered for your intake. Please ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
Courses
Apprentices in this trade will spend 2-3 years (four 12-month periods) of on-the-job training and technical training at SAIT. Technical training will be 8 weeks each year.
| Find an employer willing to indenture you as an apprentice |
| Apply as an apprentice with AIT and your employer |
| Sign contract and receive record book |
| Written entrance examination or get approved for previous transcripts |
| Complete first period of on-the-job-training (1600 hours) |
| Register at SAIT |
| Attend first period of technical training for 8 weeks at SAIT |
| Pass first period Trade Qualification Exam |
| Complete second period of on-the-job training (1600 hours) |
| Register at SAIT |
| Attend second period of technical training for 8 weeks at SAIT |
| Pass second period Trade Qualification Exam |
| Complete third period of on-the-job training (1600 hours) |
| Register at SAIT |
| Attend third period of technical training for 8 weeks at SAIT |
| Pass third period Trade Qualification Exam |
| Complete fourth period of on-the-job training (1600 hours) |
| Register at SAIT |
| Attend fourth period of technical training for 8 weeks at SAIT |
| Pass fourth period Trade Qualification Exam |
| Become a Journeyperson |
| Write and pass the Interprovincial Qualification Exam |
Technical Training Performance
To be successful in technical training, an apprentice must pass each section of the course and pass the AIT exam. The passing grade for each section in the course is a 65%. A passing mark on each Trade Qualification Exam and the Interprovincial Qualification (or Red Seal Exam) is 70%.
Costs
Domestic tuition and fees*
| Period | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Lab & Material Fee | 2020/21 total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $840 | $50 | $71.72 | $72 | $1,033.92 |
| 2 | $840 | $50 | $71.92 | $72 | $1,033.92 |
| 3 | $840 | $50 | $71.72 | $72 | $1,033.92 |
SAIT Fees
Student support fee: $25
Student technology fee: $25
Books and supplies*
- Books or modules along with other items for class average out to $600 per period.
- It is recommended that you do not purchase books or modules ahead of time as they might be outdated by the time you attend classes and they cannot be returned to the bookstore.
- Personal Protective Equipment will be required for the program, which may be an additional cost to apprentices.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.
Wellness centre
Membership to the SAIT Wellness centre - including an ice arena, swimming/diving pool, gymnasium, squash and racquetteball courts and eight room is available to apprentices at a discounted rate.
Financial planning tool
Our apprenticeship cost calculator can help you make a financial plan by identifying and adding up your expected expenses while attending SAIT — find out exactly how much money you need to save, seek or borrow to get you through your studies.