Telecommunications and Cable Television Installation, and Repair/Maintenance Workers
(NOC 7246, 7247)
in All NS OccupationsTelecommunications installation and repair workers and cable television service technicians install, arrange, remove, and maintain telephone equipment and cable outlets. This work requires climbing and working on poles, ladders, or other support structures. They are employed by cable and satellite television companies, telephone and other telecommunications transmission services establishments.
Job Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All NS Occupations
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a moderate sized occupation in Nova Scotia so some job opportunities may occur through turnover. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow moderately over the next few years, which will likely provide some additional opportunities for employment. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Telecommunications and Cable Television Installation, and Repair/Maintenance Workers most commonly work full-time hours.
The median employment income for 76% of Telecommunications and Cable Television Installation, and Repair/Maintenance Workers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $66,540. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$14.00
Minimum$25.00
Median$32.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$17,143
Minimum$62,726
Median$84,095
MaximumCompared to: All NS Occupations
Hourly Pay
$11.55
Minimum$19.89
Median$40.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$2,872
Minimum$29,983
Median$83,126
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Telecommunications installation and repair workers and cable television service technicians install, arrange, remove, and maintain telephone equipment and cable outlets. This work requires climbing and working on poles, ladders, or other support structures. They are employed by cable and satellite television companies, telephone and other telecommunications transmission services establishments.
Job duties
The following is a summary of duties for telecommunications workers:
- Telephone installers and repairers install, arrange, remove and maintain telephone equipment, wiring and associated hardware. They test installed telephone systems to locate transmission faults and repair or replace defective and damaged telephones, wire, and associated equipment.
- Switch network installers and repairers install electromechanical, analog and digital trunking systems, circuits and equipment in telecommunications central offices and switching centres. They inspect and test trunking systems, circuits, and equipment and then analyze test results and adjust, change or repair switching system, network, associated equipment, and software.
- Telecommunications service testers Operate computerized testing systems to conduct service tests on customer lines and equipment to determine the nature, cause, and location of service trouble. They initiate the dispatch of appropriate repair personnel. May assist repair personnel to test lines, circuits and systems, isolate and clear cable faults and verify records.
- Telecommunications equipment technicians install, remove and maintain various telecommunications equipment and related systems such as telex and facsimile machines, teletypewriters, mobile radios, cellular telephones, pagers and other related telecommunications equipment. They diagnose and locate equipment faults, and adjust, replace or repair telecommunications equipment.
Cable television service technicians perform some or all of the following duties:
- Communicate with subscribers and company personnel to determine work assignments.
- Connect, disconnect and relocate cable outlets, install splitters, converters, decoders, satellite and pay TV equipment, and install other cable hardware and systems at subscriber's premises.
- Install cable modems and software to enable Internet access at subscriber's premises.
- Inspect, test and repair cable and satellite television signals and associated equipment at subscriber's premises.
Cable television maintenance technicians perform some or all of the following duties:
- Maintain and repair main aerial and underground coaxial and fibre optic cable television transmission lines, trunking and related distribution and interconnecting systems including power supplies and amplifiers.
- Inspect, monitor, test and adjust cable transmission and distribution systems.
- Repair or replace faulty cables, power supplies, amplifiers and other associated transmission and distribution equipment.
- Climb and work aloft on poles, ladders or other support structures.
- Communicate with other workers to coordinate the preparation and completion of work assignments.
Sample job titles
- cable television maintenance technician
- cable television technician
- cellular telephone technician
- communications electrician - telecommunications
- community antenna television (CATV) technician - telecommunications
- satellite receiving equipment installer
- satellite television technician
- telecommunications equipment electrician
- telecommunications equipment inspector
- telecommunications technician
Skills
This work requires a good mechanical and electrical aptitude. You should have a strong background in mathematics and the sciences. Accuracy and a keen eye for detail are important. Good eyesight, colour vision, and hand-eye coordination are necessary.
Job requirements
- Completion of high school is required.
- Combinations of the completion of a college program, apprenticeship training program, correspondence or industry courses related to the field and on-the-job training vary between specific jobs within this overall grouping.
- Trade certification for communication technicians is available, but voluntary, in Nova Scotia.
- Experience as an installer and repairer (telephone and switch network) is usually required for service testers.
Other considerations
Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience. Advances in telecommunications and multi-media technology and the ways in which they are delivered to customers may affect the type of work performed and job prospects in these jobs. Advances in technology, like high-speed Internet and digital phone services, require that workers in this group continuously upgrade their skills.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All NS Occupations
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
Annapolis Valley
Northern
Cape Breton
Southern
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
Northern
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Information, Culture & Recreation
Construction
Public Administration
Computer System Design Services
Management, Admin & Other Support
What is the age of Employment?
35-44
45-54
55-64
25-34
15-24
Compared to: All NS Occupations
45-54
35-44
55-64
25-34
Top levels of education
College certificate or diploma
$29,353 median annual incomeHigh school
$32,380 median annual incomeTrades certificate
N/ALess than high school
N/ABachelor's degree
$36,204 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
Trades certificate
$40,890 median annual incomeHigh school
$28,089 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$39,023 median annual incomeLess than high school
$25,753 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$36,972 median annual incomeEducation & training
Adult high school/secondary diploma programs
This program is typically offered at the high school level.The Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) administers, coordinates, and supports the development and delivery of adult education programs through learning partners in Nova Scotia. Our learning partners include the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations that offer tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED, empowering Nova Scotians to achieve their learning and employment goals.
Institutions providing this program
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
PO Box 220
Halifax, NS B3J 2M4
(866) 679-6722
Various, NS
Various, NS
Electrical, electronic and communications engineering technology/technician
This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of electrical, electronics and communication engineers. These programs include courses in electrical circuitry, prototype development and testing; systems analysis and testing, systems maintenance, instrument calibration, and report preparation.
Institutions providing this program
PO Box 550, 1 Main Street
Springhill, NS B0M 1X0
(902) 597-3737
236 Belcher Street
Kentville, NS B4N 0A6
(902) 678-7341
PO Box 820, 39 Acadia Avenue
Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0
(902) 752-2002
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
(902) 491-1100
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Trade Inactive: This trade is currently inactive in Nova Scotia. NOTE: The trade is currently regulated by LAE-Technical Safety as a Communications Cabling Specialist - see below
Certificate: Installation of communications cabling requires a permit unless exempt per regulations. CCS certificate required to obtain a permit and to perform work that is exempt from permit. Communications cabling permits are issued from the local electrical inspection department.
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.