What Does a Surface Mount Assembler Do?

Many items in your house contain electrical parts. This could be from a stove that tells the time, to toys that speak. These electrical parts are also used in other walks of life, from running networks of computers in nuclear power stations to turning on the lights and opening doors in businesses. Surface Mount Assemblers assemble these electrical parts and components.

 

  • following safety protocol
  • setting up, operating, monitoring, correcting and improving the processes and automation used in the manufacture of high technology circuit boards
  • soldering and assembling capacitors, diodes, circuits, transistors and wires
  • operating automated and semi-automated machinery
  • assembling microcircuits, which may include using microscopes and adhering to clean-room protocol
  • adjusting machinery, tools and equipment
  • reading and interpreting blueprints, schematics and electrical diagrams
  • operating robotics and fixed automation equipment

What Preparation and Training Do You Need?

Grade 12 or the equivalent is required to apprentice as a Surface Mount Assembler. Students who have completed Grade 10 have an opportunity to become registered apprentices while finishing secondary school under the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). This is an unrestricted trade, which means that you do not need a valid Certificate of Apprenticeship to work in this trade, although employers may require it.

Achieving a Certificate of Apprenticeship for a Surface Mount Assembler involves completing an apprenticeship of approximately 3-4 years (5,000 hours). This includes 3 eight week blocks of in-school instruction.

What’s Your Future as a Surface Mount Assembler?

Surface Mount Assemblers work primarily indoors. Some may work in a clean-room where the part can not come into contact with any dust, dirt or contaminants. They may do very repetitive work and may be expected to stand for prolonged periods to operate machinery. They generally work shifts of 35-40 hours per week.

According to Ontario Job Futures, employment for this occupation is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2007. This is because of increasing demand for computers and other electronic equipment. Journeypeople in this trade who have good computer skills will be needed to work with new technologies and equipment.

Employers who hire Surface Mount Assemblers include:

  • Computer service firms
  • Electronic equipment manufacturers
  • Electrical industrial equipment manufacturers
  • Business machine manufacturers
  • High technology firms

Wage Rate

Fully qualified Surface Mount Assemblers earn an average of $12-$20/ hour, not including overtime and benefits.

Self-Rating

Do you enjoy working with your hands, with a variety of hand and power tools?

Yes      No

Do you have strong interest in electronics?

Yes      No

Can you stand for prolonged periods of time?

Yes      No

Can you read and interpret blueprints and schematics?

Yes      No

Are you interested in and able to perform repetitive work?

Yes      No

Are you mechanically inclined?

Yes      No

Do you like to keep up with new technology?

Yes      No

If you answered Yes to most of these questions, a career as a Surface Mount Assembler may be for You!

You may also want to explore other careers that require similar interests and skills, such as:

  • Electronic Assemblers
  • Electronic Service Technicians
  • Automotive Electronic Accessory Technician
  • Electronics Fabricator

Ask Yourself: Is Working as a Surface Mount Assembler For You?

Job -Related Skills, Interests and Values

Registered Users





Register Now!

Start Searching! Go!