Electronics Trades Worker Ringarehe Tāhiko

Electronics trades workers assemble, install and fix electronic parts and equipment.

Electronics trades workers may need to be registered with the Electrical Workers Registration Board, depending on their specialisation.

Electronics trades workers may do some or all of the following:

  • assemble, install and fix electronic products, equipment and security systems
  • run tests to check for faults
  • analyse the testing data and report findings
  • repair problems and replace any faulty parts
  • quality control
  • package and prepare electronic products for export. 

Physical Requirements

Electronics trades workers need to have good hand-eye co-ordination and normal colour vision, as electrical components are often colour-coded.

Useful Experience

Useful experience for electronics trades workers includes:

  • work at electronics businesses
  • work involving electrical or electronic components
  • mechanical work.

Personal Qualities

Electronics trades workers need to be:

  • safety-conscious
  • accurate, methodical and analytical
  • honest and reliable
  • able to follow instructions
  • good problem-solvers.

Skills

Electronics trades workers need to have knowledge of:

  • electrical theory
  • electronic circuits
  • how to diagnose and fix problems with electrical equipment
  • electronic and mechanical assembly
  • safe working practices.

Conditions

Electronics trades workers:

  • usually work regular business hours, but may work overtime and be on call
  • may work in factories, workshops, offices, homes and on ships and aircraft.

Electronics Trades Workers can earn around $42K-$80K per year.

Chances of getting a job as a Electronics Trades Worker are good due to a shortage of people interested in this type of work.

Pay for electronics trades workers varies depending on skills, experience and the type of work they do.

  • Trainee electronics trades workers and those with less than three years' experience usually earn between $42,000 and $60,000 a year.
  • Experienced electronics trades workers usually earn between $60,000 and $80,000.
  • Senior electronics trades workers can earn between $75,000 and $120,000.

Sources: Technical Recruitment Solutions and NZ Security Careers, 2021.

Electronics trades workers may progress to set up their own business.

Electronics trades workers can specialise in a number of roles, including:

Electrical Appliance Serviceperson
Electrical appliance servicepeople install, repair and maintain electrical appliances such as refrigerators, microwaves, photocopiers and gaming machines.
Electronics Technician
Electronics technicians assemble, install and repair electronic systems and circuits.
Industrial Measurement and Control Technician
Industrial measurement and control technicians install, maintain and repair systems used to regulate and control industrial machinery and equipment.
Security Systems Technician
Security systems technicians develop, install, test and maintain security equipment and systems.

Years Of Training

3-4 years of training required.

To become an electronics trades worker you need to complete an apprenticeship and gain one of the following qualifications.

You may also need to be registered with the Electrical Workers Registration Board.

 Electronics technicians, electrical appliance servicepersons and security systems technicians

Industry Connection for Excellence (ICE) oversees apprenticeships for:

  • Electronics technicians – New Zealand Certificate in Electronic Engineering (Level 4)
  • Electrical appliance servicepersons – New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Electrical and Electronic Installation and Service) (Level 4). 
  • Security systems technicians – New Zealand Certificate in Electronic Security (Level 4). You must also have a Certificate of Approval issued by the Ministry of Justice.
  • Industry Connection for Excellence (ICE) website - about training with ICE 

Industrial measurement and control technicians

Te Pukenga (Wintec) offers qualifications for industrial measurement and control technicians: 

Electronics Trades Worker