A wiring technician is someone who runs wires and works with the electrical systems of various industrial and commercial machines, such as computer networks, heavy machinery, and even some types of vehicles. He or she will be in charge of installing, maintaining, repairing, or even completely replacing electrical systems. The wiring technician’s job entails a lot of troubleshooting, and he or she will need to use specialized equipment to diagnose electrical system failures. To ensure that he or she can work with a specific wiring system, the tech will also need to be able to read wiring schematics accurately.
A high school diploma is frequently required to work as a wiring technician, and while a college diploma is not always required, it can improve a person’s job prospects. A professional certificate, which can be obtained at a community college or technical college, is required for most wiring technician positions. The certificate program will teach the aspiring wiring technician all of the skills required for success in the field, and the student will graduate with a professional certificate that qualifies him or her for employment.
The wiring technician may work for a single company or as a freelance or contract worker for a number of companies. If the technician works for a specific company, he or she will most likely maintain machines in a factory or warehouse, maintain computer systems, and perform any other wiring or electrical system-related tasks. Some businesses have multiple locations, and the wiring technician may need to travel to each one to resolve wiring issues.
If the technician works on a contract basis, he or she will provide wiring services to a variety of companies. This usually entails the tech moving from one location to the next, and working at multiple locations in a single day. In some cases, the technician may sign a service contract, indicating that he or she will maintain systems at a specific company on a regular basis. In other cases, the technician may be called on an as-needed basis to address specific wiring system issues. The tech could work for a company that does things this way, or he or she could start their own company.