Imagine a world without refrigerators or washing machines. Pretty hard, isn't it?
It's no wonder that these appliances are often considered the inventions that most changed people's lives in the last century—even more so than antibiotics and television!
Household appliances are an essential part of every home. We rely on refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, ovens, dishwashers, microwaves, and other appliances to simplify our busy modern lives.
When these machines break down, it usually takes a skilled technician to get them back running again. As appliances become increasingly complex and multi-functional, professionals with specialized training are needed for repairs and service.
Here are five popular career paths you can choose from after finishing your pre-apprenticeship appliance technician training.
1. Appliance Sales Companies/Wholesalers
Many appliance companies offer full-service warranties on their products. This means they're always in need of qualified technicians to make repairs whenever appliances aren't working properly.
Repair technicians often travel to people's houses to install and fix appliances, which requires good customer service skills.
When making installations, you might have to connect water and gas lines, check for leaks, and show customers how to operate their appliances correctly.
Working with one company, you might specialize in servicing one type of household or commercial appliance, or a particular product line.
You'll become familiar with common troubleshooting steps, keep up-to-date with the latest models on the market, and learn how to directly order replacement parts.
An advantage of working with appliance sales companies or wholesalers is that there are often competitive benefits packages and regular full-time hours.
2. Large Apartment Owners
Owners of large apartment complexes are generally looking for maintenance and service technicians to keep the appliances in each unit working well. Talented technicians are the backbone of every successful apartment community.
With many new apartment buildings always being built, the job outlook is very good for this type of work, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area.
This employment includes scheduled preventative maintenance to ensure everything is up to building code and company standards.
There are often opportunities to do different kinds of tasks, such as some plumbing and painting, giving you a chance to continue learning valuable new skills.
Every day will be different. You need to be organized and a good multi-tasker to handle various work orders and emergencies. This may mean working after hours or on weekends, which are paid overtime.
Maintenance technicians frequently receive good benefits packages and sometimes free rent, if they live on-site to better respond to tenants' needs.
3. Commercial Restaurant Equipment Industry
The hospitality industry is a big employer of appliance service technicians, offering steady work fixing a wide range of kitchen equipment.
These jobs provide solid growth potential, ongoing appliance technician training to learn the latest standards, and a chance to be part of a motivated team.
Besides restaurants, similar employment can be found in large facilities like hospitals, airports, and grocery stores.
4. Independent Service Companies
Smaller independent service companies can be an ideal fit for some appliance technicians. They offer greater flexibility than is usually found in larger companies.
These companies let you work independently while having the support of a full team, and getting on-the-job training as you go.
Service technicians who work with small firms say they enjoy being outside of a structured work environment, visiting customers' homes to solve problems, with never the same day twice.
5. Self-Employed Appliance Service Technician
Do you dream of being your own boss and setting your own hours? This is an especially appealing career choice for many professionals in the field—about a third of all appliance service technicians are self-employed.
Grads of an appliance service technician program who choose this route could have similar job descriptions to those working for independent companies, but they get all the risk and reward.
You'll need a vehicle to make house calls, and your own tools and equipment—the basics can be bought for only a few hundred dollars. You can also create a nice work area in the comfort of your home for larger repairs.=
Self-employed appliance technicians are responsible for acquiring their own business licence and insurance. You also need to find clients by yourself. You can market yourself by creating a simple website, putting signs on your vehicle and home, and printing up some business cards.
Networking skills are also needed to develop connections with clients, equipment and parts suppliers, and warranty companies.
It's particularly important to be friendly and presentable when you're working in people's homes (and seeking their referral business). Customers count on you to deliver fast, flexible and knowledgeable service.
Looking for a great appliance service technician program in Toronto?
Your next step is to speak with admissions. An advisor will guide you through the Appliance Service Technician program, costs, financial aid, how to apply, and more.
Chat live with an advisor now. Or click below to explore the program in more detail. We're here to help!
