Career Suggestion

Domestic appliance service engineer

Domestic appliance service engineers install and repair household items like fridges, washing machines, cookers, TVs and audio equipment.

Average salary (a year)

£24000.0 to £30000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

40.0 to 44.0

You could work

between 8am and 6pm flexibly

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You could do a college course to get some of the skills needed for this job. Courses include:

  • electrical installation
  • engineering technology
  • electrical and electronic engineering
  • T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
  • search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You may be able to apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:

  • Hardware, Network and Infrastructure Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
  • Electrical, Electronic Product Service and Installation Engineer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

This might be with a service and repair company, household appliance retailer or equipment manufacturer.

Foundation apprenticeship

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Direct Application

You can apply for jobs directly if you've got experience and qualifications in one of the following:

  • electrical or electronics installation and testing
  • plumbing or gas servicing
  • heating installation or refrigeration
  • domestic appliance 'white goods' service and repair

More Information

Career Tips

It's important with job vacancies to check whether the advertised salary is for annual pay, partly based on commission or is payment by job completed.

Further Information

You can find out more about working in engineering maintenance and repair from Tomorrow's Engineers .

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to repair machines or systems
  • customer service skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • problem-solving skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to analyse quality or performance
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

Day-to-day tasks

As a domestic appliance service engineer, you could:

  • install new appliances in commercial premises or customers' homes
  • set up and check equipment connections to online networks
  • find and fix faults
  • make sure appliances are working safely
  • respond to call-outs for emergency repairs
  • give quotes for insurance purposes
  • arrange replacements when appliances are taken away for repair
  • advise customers on how to recycle old appliances safely
  • record work details, prepare invoices and handle payments

We've identified this as a potential green job

For a domestic appliance service engineer to be a green job, you could:

  • repair appliances to reduce electronic waste
  • recommend energy-efficient settings to customers
  • use a low-emission or electric van

Find out more about green careers

Working environment

You could work at a client's home or at a client's business.

Your working environment may be cramped and you'll travel often.

With experience, you could move into management, regional services co-ordination, technical sales or staff training.

You could also set up your own installation and repair business.

Related careers

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