Do you remember the old joke, “Is your refrigerator running?” With an answer of “yes,” the crank caller would say “Well, you’d better go catch it.” As a child, that was funny, however, as an adult, if your refrigerator is NOT running, then you have a serious problem… and it’s no laughing matter. The first thing we do, in that case, is call an Appliance Repair Technician.
An Appliance Repair Technician has a variety of duties, however, in general, they are tasked with installing, adjusting and repairing any number of home or commercially used appliances. Most often, you will work on refrigerators, ovens, washing machines, clothes dryers and sometimes, microwaves and vacuum cleaners. Typically, you will need to know how to diagnose a problem, locate repair parts and have the knowledge to install them properly, as well as, be knowledgeable in the use of hand tools.
If you decide to pursue a career as an Appliance Repair Technician, you may want to consider a training program that will teach you the basics such as a professional certificate program, however, if you would like some additional training and improve your chances of getting the job you want with a better salary, you may want to consider an online associate degree program. The National Appliance Service Technician Certification (NASTeC) and the Professional Service Association’s (PSA) certifications are two of the most popular accolades to obtain to display your expertise. An associate degree program may also require general education curriculum.
There are a variety of educational opportunities offered through online programs. Depending on your interests, you may find a program that specializes in home or small appliances or ones that specialize in larger appliances, such as in heating and air conditioning repair. General coursework for home appliance repair may include testing electrical appliances, gas control systems, replacing broken circuitry, diagnostic testing, common tool repair, procedures for ordering repair parts, thermodynamics, preventative maintenance procedures, customer relations, safety, legal and ethical standards, as well as, basic bookkeeping practice, just to name a few.
As an Appliance Repair Technician, you will need certain key skills. Are you mechanically minded? Most technicians must have the natural ability to have a general understanding of how a product is put together, as well as, how all the parts of it work in tandem to work properly. Listening skills are important, as well as, as critical thinking skills. You must be able to manage your time wisely and be able to make good decisions while under time constraints and while troubleshooting problems.
You will also need a valid driver’s license as most employers will need you to drive their repair van to the customer’s home to make a repair. You must maintain a clean driving record at all times and be able to pass random drug screenings.
Completion of a certificate or associate degree program in Appliance Repair can provide you with an entry-level position upon graduation, or perhaps, you would like to start your own repair business. If you are interested in this field, please see our list of Online Schools for Appliance Repair Programs.