In this occupation, activities may include:

• Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Education

• Completion of high school is typically required.
• Telephone and switch network installers and repairers are required to either complete a three- or four-year apprenticeship program or have a combination of over three-years of work experience and some related courses.
• Telecommunications equipment technicians are required to either complete a post-secondary electrical and electronics program and have several months of on-the-job training, or complete a three- or four-year apprenticeship program.

Certification

• Trade certification for communication technicians is available, but voluntary, in Alberta, Britich Columbia, Nova Scotia, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

• Travel likely required
• Primarily outdoor work
• Physical work
• Safety-sensitive environment
• Work away from home/in camps

• Customer and personal service
• Telecommunications
• Computers and electronics
• English language
• Mathematics
• Public safety and security
• Mechanical
• Engineering and technology
• Education and training
• Troubleshooting