Web www.ocouha.com

www.ocouha.com

An internet presentation of the Occupational Outlook Handbook plus related career guidance information

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 | All Occupations

The section of the ocouha website contains the text of the 2004-05 Occupational Outlook Handbook. This information is no longer being updated. For more recent information, start at the ocouha homepage www.ocouha.com.

Other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations

  • Coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers
    • Most workers in this occupation learn their skills on the job.
    • Opportunities should be especially good for persons with some knowledge of electronics.
  • Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
    • Job prospects for heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are expected to be good, particularly for those with technical school or formal apprenticeship training.
    • The Air-Conditioning Excellence program, offered through North American Technician Excellence, is the standard for certification of experienced technicians.
  • Home appliance repairers
    • Repairers of small appliances commonly learn the trade on the job; repairers of large household appliances often receive their training in a formal trade school, community college, or directly from the appliance manufacturer.
    • Knowledge of electronics is increasingly important.
    • Job prospects are expected to be good as job openings will continue to outnumber jobseekers.
  • Industrial machinery installation, repair, and maintenance workers, except millwrights
    • Highly skilled mechanics usually learn their trade through a 4-year apprenticeship program, while lower skilled maintenance workers receive short-term on-the-job training.
    • Employment is projected to grow more slowly than average, but applicants with broad skills in machine repair and maintenance should have favorable job prospects.
    • Unlike many other manufacturing occupations, these workers usually are not affected by seasonal changes in production.
  • Line installers and repairers
    • Line installers and repairers work outdoors; conditions can be hazardous.
    • Line installers and repairers are trained on the job; employers prefer applicants with a technical knowledge of electricity and electronics.
    • Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average.
    • Earnings are higher than in most other occupations that do not require postsecondary education.
  • Maintenance and repair workers, general
    • General maintenance and repair workers are employed in almost every industry.
    • Most workers are trained on the job; others learn by working as helpers to other repairers or to construction workers such as carpenters, electricians, or machinery repairers.
    • Job openings should be plentiful due to significant turnover in this large occupation.
  • Millwrights
    • Training through apprenticeship programs, or through community colleges coupled with on-the-job training, generally lasts 4 years.
    • Despite projected slower-than-average employment growth, skilled applicants should have good job opportunities.
    • About 6 in 10 millwrights belong to labor unions, one of the highest rates of membership in the economy.
  • Precision instrument and equipment repairers
    • Training requirements include a high school diploma and, in some cases, postsecondary education, coupled with significant on-the-job training.
    • Good opportunities are expected for most types of jobs.
    • Overall employment is expected to grow more slowly than average, but projected growth varies by detailed occupation.
    • About 1 out of 5 is self-employed.
  • Precision instrument and equipment repairers, all other

See the Occupational Outlook Handbook in print.