Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics Assemblers

(NOC 9521, 9522, 9523, 9524, 9525, 9526, 9527)

in All Manufacturing and Utilities

Mechanical, electrical and electronics assemblers include those who fabricate, assemble or inspect a wide variety of products. They are employed in plants that manufacture automobiles, vans, and light trucks. Others are employed by aircraft and aircraft subassembly manufacturers, electronics manufacturing plants, for electrical appliance and electrical equipment manufacturing companies, by machinery and transportation equipment manufacturers, or by other manufacturing companies.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
Estimate openings due to growth and retirements not available for this occupation.
Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

Estimate Weak growth employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 1275 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2016

This is a moderate sized occupation in Nova Scotia so some job opportunities may occur through turnover. 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. Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics Assemblers most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically permanent positions.

The median employment income for 65% of Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics Assemblers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $38,756. 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

$13.00

Minimum

$20.19

Median

$26.50

Maximum

Annual Pay

$11,288

Minimum

$34,497

Median

$62,838

Maximum

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

Hourly Pay

$12.00

Minimum

$18.75

Median

$30.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,056

Minimum

$30,111

Median

$70,518

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Job duties

The following is a summary of some of the duties performed by mechanical, electrical, and electronics assemblers:

Assemble, fit and install prefabricated parts to form subassemblies or finish products using hand and power tools.
Position, align and adjust parts for proper fit and assembly and connect cables, tubes and wires.
Fasten parts together using bolting and riveting equipment or other fastening and joining techniques.
Operate or tend automated assembling equipment, such as robotics and fixed automation equipment.
Operate small cranes to transport or position larger parts as required.

Mechanical, electrical, and electronics machine operators perform some or all of the following duties:

Operate machinery to assemble, test or package dry cell batteries.
Position lead acid storage batteries on assembly line and insert battery contents into casing.
Operate machinery, such as pasting and stacking machines, to fabricate plates for lead acid storage batteries.
Load machinery with glass tubes, bulbs and other parts used to produce incandescent, fluorescent and other types of light bulbs and tubes, and remove and pack finished product.
Operate or feed machinery and equipment to produce electrical wiring devices such as fuses, plugs, caps, sockets, connectors and switches.
Operate equipment to apply protective coatings to items such as freezer cabinets, small electric motors or transformer assemblies.
Perform minor repairs to items rejected from production line.
Set up and adjust production machinery and equipment for operation.

Inspectors and testers in this group perform some or all of the following duties:

Check in-process and completed production items for visual or mechanical defects or operate testing equipment to maintain quality of products.
Identify and mark acceptable and defective assemblies and return faulty assemblies to production for repair.
Collect, record and summarize inspection results.
Investigate equipment malfunction and instruct on proper operation.
Perform minor adjustments and repairs.
Electronics testers operate various test equipment and tools to perform simple electrical and continuity testing of electronic components, parts, and systems.
Motor vehicle inspectors check motor vehicle exterior priming and colour coats, sealers and glazers, and mark, record and report defects to be repaired; test motor vehicle electrical assemblies, equipment and wiring for proper performance; inspect auto parts and fully assembled motor vehicles for defects and to ensure that previously noted defects have been corrected; and drive and test motor vehicles on roll testing device to ensure that transmission, axle, engine and brakes function properly.
Aircraft assembly inspectors inspect aircraft assemblies, using measuring and testing equipment, for adherence to engineering specifications; inspect assemblies for alignment, symmetry, dimensions, fit and quality of workmanship; and complete detailed inspection documentation.

Sample job titles

aircraft assembler
auto assembly worker
avionics assembler
battery maker
control panel technician - industrial electrical equipment
electrical appliance production assembler
electronics tester
farm equipment assembly inspector
light bulb maker
wheel and tire installer - automobile assembly

Skills

This work requires excellent spatial perception, form perception, and eye-to-finger coordination. You must be accurate and able to pay close attention to detail. A keen interest in working with machines and routine processes is necessary. You should also be physically fit and have good eyesight and hearing.

Job requirements

Completion of high school is required.
On-the-job training is usually provided.
College or other courses or programs may be required.
Inspectors may require experience as an assembler in the same company.

Other considerations

Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience while progression to inspector or tester is possible with a combination of experience and additional training. Self-employment in these jobs is rare, and work is not typically seasonal.

By the numbers

Quick look

815

employed in 2016

95.6%

employed full-time

3.7%

self employed

36.7%

63.3%

46.9

median age

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

15,275

employed in 2016

86.6%

employed full-time

3.1%

self employed

27.6%

72.4%

44.7

median age

Where will I likely work?

43.1%

Halifax

23.9%

Southern

23.4%

Northern

10.6%

Annapolis Valley

3.2%

Cape Breton

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

Northern

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

39.0%

Computer, Electronic and Electrical Product Manufacturing

25.6%

Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

6.1%

Metal Fabrication and Machinery (excl. electrical)

4.9%

Motor Vehicle, Body, Trailer & Parts Manufacturing

3.7%

Rubber, Plastics & Chemical Manufacturing

What is the age of Employment?

25.0%

55-64

25.0%

45-54

25.0%

15-24

14.3%

35-44

14.3%

25-34

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

41.6%

45-54

28.6%

55-64

20.8%

35-44

5.2%

25-34

2.6%

15-24

Top levels of education

41.8%

High school

$27,844 median annual income

25.5%

College certificate or diploma

$31,059 median annual income

13.6%

Trades certificate

$40,203 median annual income

12.0%

Less than high school

$28,457 median annual income

5.4%

Bachelor's degree

$33,607 median annual income

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

38.1%

High school

$28,358 median annual income

22.9%

Less than high school

$21,011 median annual income

20.3%

College certificate or diploma

$36,968 median annual income

12.4%

Trades certificate

$37,356 median annual income

4.4%

Bachelor's degree

$36,852 median annual income

Education & training

Adult high school/secondary diploma programs

This program is typically offered at the high school level.

This instructional program class comprises any program that defines the prescribed requirements, specified by the appropriate jurisdiction, for the completion of and graduation from a secondary school program of academic subject matter offered for adult learners outside of the regular secondary school program. This does not include adult compensatory education programs resulting in completion of a high school equivalency certificate or diploma.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Siège Social: 1695, Route 1

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0

(902) 769-2114

Blanche.Theriault@usainteanne.ca

Website

Nova Scotia Community College - Annapolis Valley Campus

50 Elliott Road

Lawrencetown, NS B0S 1M0

(902) 825-3491

avc.info@nscc.ca