Africa Career Guidance - Computer service and repair technician

Computer service and repair technician

The work

Computer service and repair technicians install, repair and maintain computer systems. They work in a variety of job settings, which can include:

being a member of an IT support team within a large organisation, servicing the computer network
carrying out commercial contract work for a specialist IT service company
working as a field technician for a computer manufacturer, visiting home users to fix PC problems .
running their own small business, combining computer retail sales with repair and upgrade services.

Tasks depend on the job role but commonly cover:

installation and support of new systems
upgrading existing hardware and software
devising and operating maintenance procedures for clients
routine testing, fault diagnosis and correction
maintenance of servers and IT security systems
maintenance of email systems for internal and external networks
maintenance of peripherals such as printers, scanners and video conferencing equipment
preparing estimates for new installations
routine administration such as scheduling support staff rotas.
Technicians may also have responsibility for training staff to use equipment correctly and safely.

Hours and Environment

Technicians normally work 37 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Shift work is common, as 24-hour technical cover is often required.

A driving licence may be needed where the work involves travel between clients' premises, for example as a field engineer.

Skills and Interests

As a computer service technician, you should:

have a thorough knowledge of networking and operating systems, hardware and common software
have good communication and customer service skills
have excellent analytical skills
be patient and have a methodical approach to work
be able to work to deadlines
be able to keep up to date with developments in IT
be aware of safety issues associated with electrical equipment.

Entry

If you have a good working knowledge of computer systems, it is possible to enter as a trainee without an academic background but you can enhance your prospects by studying for vocational awards, such as those listed below:

Training

Training continues on the job and covers some or all of the following areas:

ICT hardware and software support
problem solving
advanced networking (LAN and WAN)
network systems management
customer support systems
repair centre procedures
telecommunications planning.

A range of NVQs is available for those working in a technical support role, including:

IT Practitioners levels 1 and 2
IT Professionals levels 3 and 4
Communication Technologies Professionals levels 3 and 4.

Alternative industry-recognised training includes:

CompTIA A+ Certification covering: installation, configuring and upgrading, diagnosis and troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, motherboards, processors and memory, printers, basic networking, operating system fundamentals and networks. For more information see CompTia website in Further Information.
Vendor-specific training, such as Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification may be an option. This is a higher level qualification for those who have achieved a level 3 award or have extensive experience in the industry. For details, see Microsoft website below.

Opportunities

Opportunities exist across a wide range of occupational sectors. Typical employers include:

financial organisations
civil service
health service
educational institutions
call centres
IT companies and manufacturers.

Opportunities are also available with IT business service support contractors. There is scope for self-employment or freelance work, supporting small to medium sized enterprises or working in the home PC repair sector. Techncians could move into related fields, such as network engineering and administration, training or techncial sales.

Annual Income

Further information

Microsoft UK
http://www.microsoft.com/uk

CISCO
www.cisco.com