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Telecommunications Installation and Repair Workers (7246)

Occupation related to information and communications technology

Among the occupations currently in highest demand in All of Québec

technicien/technicienne en installation et en réparation - télécommunications

(Occupation with high worker turnover)

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Qualification and skills most often required

Le diplôme d’études collégiales (DEC) en technologie de l’électronique avec spécialisation en télécommunication, le diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) en installation et réparation d’équipement de télécommunication ou une formation de câbleur en télécommunications sont demandés. De plus, certains fournisseurs d’équipements offrent de la formation sur leurs produits. Le Programme d’apprentissage en milieu de travail (PAMT) d’Emploi-Québec, pour le métier de technicien ou de technicienne en service de télécommunication câblée, constitue aussi un moyen de se qualifier et d’accéder à un emploi dans la profession. Une formation en santé et sécurité sur les chantiers de construction peut être exigée. Des connaissances en informatique et en télécommunication sont demandées. Des aptitudes pour le service à la clientèle, la débrouillardise, l’autonomie et la capacité de travailler en hauteur sont recherchées. Posséder un permis de conduire valide, pour véhicule de promenade (classe 5) ou pour camion porteur (classe 3), est obligatoire selon la nature du poste.

Reason for labor demand

Les projets d’investissement dans le secteur de la construction résidentielle, de la construction de nouveaux locaux commerciaux, des réaménagements et des déménagements d’entreprises ou les besoins de remplacement du câblage sont à l’origine de la demande de main-d’œuvre dans cette profession. La concurrence que se livrent les différents fournisseurs de services de téléphonie, de câble et d’Internet explique le roulement élevé de la main-d’œuvre et est à l’origine des besoins observés dans cette profession.

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Job titles

  • apprentice communication electrician - switching
  • apprentice electrician - telecommunications equipment
  • apprentice telephone switchman/woman
  • View all job titles

Nature of work

Telecommunications installation and repair workers install, test, maintain and repair telephones, telephone switching equipment and telecommunications equipment related to transmission and processing of voice, video signals and other data over a variety of media including fibre optics, microwave, radio and satellite. They are employed by telephone and other telecommunications transmission services establishments.

Fields of interest

  • Making or building things, constructing, doing repairs, and performing installations
  • Working in transportation and maintenance

Main duties

  • Telephone installers and repairers perform some or all of the following duties:
  • - Install, arrange, remove and maintain telephone equipment, wiring and associated hardware
  • - Test installed telephone systems to locate transmission faults
  • - Repair or replace defective and damaged telephones, wire and associated equipment.
  • Switch network installers and repairers perform some or all of the following duties:
  • - Install electromechanical, analog and digital trunking systems, circuits and equipment in telecommunications central offices and switching centres
  • - Inspect and test trunking systems, circuits and equipment
  • - Analyze test results and adjust, change or repair switching system, network, associated equipment and software.
  • Telecommunications service testers perform some or all of the following duties:
  • - Operate computerized testing systems to conduct service tests on customer lines and equipment
  • - Determine the nature, cause and location of service trouble
  • - Initiate the dispatch of appropriate repair personnel
  • - Complete test reports and maintain test and service records
  • - May assist repair personnel to test lines, circuits and systems, isolate and clear cable faults and verify records.
  • Telecommunications equipment technicians perform some or all of the following duties:
  • - Install, remove and maintain various telecommunications equipment and related systems such as telex and facsimile machines, teletypewriters, mobile radios, cellular telephones, pagers and other related telecommunications equipment
  • - Configure operating systems and install software for access to the Internet
  • - Inspect and test operation of telecommunications equipment
  • - Diagnose and locate equipment faults, and adjust, replace or repair telecommunications equipment.

Employment requirements

  • * Completion of secondary school is required.
  • * Telephone and switch network installers and repairers require completion of an apprenticeship program ranging from three to four years orA combination of over three years work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry related courses.
  • * Telecommunications equipment technicians usually require completion of a college electrical and electronics program and several months of on-the-job training orCompletion of a three- or four-year apprenticeship training program.
  • * Trade certification for communications electrician (network craft) is available, but voluntary, in Alberta, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon.
  • * Experience as an installer and repairer (telephone and switch network) is usually required for service testers.

More information in All of Québec

Employment in 2011 6,000
Skill level Technical
Average annual full-time income in 2005 55,000$
Job prospects-by occupation (2012-2016) Fair
Unemployment rate in 2011 Low