Electronics assemblers work as part of a team making electronic components and equipment.
The Work
You could be:
assembling and fixing microchips on circuit boards
putting electronic components into products such as hairdryers and food blenders
working on an assembly line on a specific part of an item
using hand tools and soldering equipment
testing finished articles to make sure they meet quality standards
packing goods for dispatch
reporting problems and faults to a supervisor.
Pay
The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:
where you work
the size of the company or organisation you work for
the demand for the job.
Starting pay is often based on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) or the National Living Wage (NLW).
As of 1 April 2022 the National Minimum Wage is £4.81 an hour for workers aged 16 to 17, £6.83 an hour for workers aged 18 to 20 and £9.18 an hour for workers aged 21 to 22. The National Living Wage is £9.50 for workers aged 23 and over.
At present the apprentice rate, for those aged under 19 or aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship, is £4.81 an hour (1 April 2022).
With experience this can rise up to around £11.40 per hour. You can get additional earnings by working overtime.
Conditions
Electronics factories are usually bright, very clean and free of dust to avoid damaging the electronic parts. You may work in sterile conditions.
It could be noisy due to machinery.
You will wear overalls, and maybe also a hair covering, gloves, safety glasses and antistatic arm or ankle bands.
You will either sit or stand, usually repeating the same tasks for long periods.
You may get regular breaks to avoid eye strain from working with small parts.
You might have to work shifts including weekends and nights.
Overtime and part time work may both be available.
You do not always need formal qualifications, but some employers prefer a few subjects at National 4 or 5.
You will need to be good at working with your hands. You may have to take a practical test to show this.
Certain colour vision conditions may affect entry to careers in this branch of engineering.
If you have allergies you may be at risk from certain materials that can irritate skin.
Jobs are advertised through Universal Jobmatch and other recruitment websites.
What Does it Take?
You need to be:
good at working with your hands
willing to learn new skills and procedures
aware of strict health and safety rules.
You need to be able to:
cope with repetitive work
follow instructions closely
understand diagrams
handle small components
work quickly and accurately under pressure
concentrate on detailed items
work well in a team and alone.
Training
You will normally train on the job through an employer’s training scheme.
You may be able to work towards relevant SVQs such as Performing Engineering Operations at SCQF Levels 4 and 5.
Getting On
With suitable experience you may be promoted to a supervisor’s post.
You may be able to move into other jobs such as quality control.
More Information
Enginuity (formerly SEMTA) is the Sector Skills Council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies. The website includes a careers section showing progression routes in the industry.
