Website alerts
Alert icon

Our CV Builder tool is currently having technical issues. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. We are working on finding a solution. 

PLEASE NOTE: Job profile content may reflect pre-COVID-19 conditions.

Electronics Trades Worker

Ringarehe Tāhiko

Alternative titles for this job

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

Pay

Electronics trades workers usually earn

$48K-$80K per year

Senior electronics trades workers usually earn

$75K-$120K per year

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

Job opportunities

Chances of getting a job as an electronics trades worker are good due to high demand for their services.

Pay

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 $48,000 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.

(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our pay information)

What you will do

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. 

Skills and knowledge

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.

Working 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.

Entry requirements

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:

Industrial measurement and control technicians

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

Secondary education

No specific secondary education is required for this job, but maths, English, science or physics and technology subjects to at least NCEA Level 2 are useful.

Personal requirements

Electronics trades workers need to be:

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

Useful experience

Useful experience for electronics trades workers includes:

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

Physical requirements

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

Registration

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

Find out more about training

Industry Connection for Excellence (ICE)
0508 442 395 info@icexl.co.nz -https://icexl.co.nz
Wintec
0800 294 6832 info@wintec.ac.nz -www.wintec.ac.nz/
Check out related courses

What are the chances of getting a job?

Experienced electronics trades workers in demand

Chances of getting a job as an electronics trades worker are best for those with experience.

Heavy industrial companies, such as those in the pulp and paper industry or steel industry, are currently upgrading and automating their processes. This means there is demand for experienced workers to be involved in the installation, commissioning and maintenance of automation equipment and control systems.

Electronic equipment trades worker appears on Immigration New Zealand’s regional skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled electronics trades workers from overseas to work in New Zealand.

According to the Census, 2,268 electronics trades workers worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Limited opportunities at smaller electronics service companies

Even with a shortage of electronics trades workers, it can still be hard to get a job. Many electronics and servicing companies are small and employ only a few staff. Some electronics trades workers are also self-employed.

Job opportunities for electronics trades workers are often better in larger companies where many workers may be contracted for specific projects. 

Types of employers varied

Electronics trades workers can work for:

  • small repair companies
  • larger electronics maintenance companies and repair chains
  • industrial companies, as specialist in-house technicians
  • electronics design or manufacturing companies.

Sources

  • Hays, 'Hays Jobs Report January to June 2020', accessed March 2021, (www.hays.net.nz).
  • Hopkins, D, senior consultant, Technical Recruitment Solutions, careers.govt.nz interview, February 2021.
  • Immigration New Zealand, 'Regional Skill Shortage List', 27 May 2019, (www.immigration.govt.nz).
  • Stats NZ, '2018 Census Data', 2019.

(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our job opportunities information)

Progression and specialisations

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.
An electronics trades worker assembles a circuit board in a factory

Electronics trades workers assemble electronic products, equipment and control systems

Last updated 21 November 2024