all about assembler jobs
As an assembler, you’ll need manual dexterity and physical strength to work for long periods as you perform your tasks, move materials into place, and down the line. You’ll likely be assigned to a workstation where you’ll be on your feet for most of your shift. You’ll need to learn your tasks and perform them quickly and consistently without error to meet production goals.
To accomplish your tasks accurately, you may have a sample to copy. You might follow a set of instructions or drawings guiding you in the assembly of parts that fit with other components made further along in the production process. You’ll need an eye for detail and must be comfortable working with any kind of material such as metal, plastic, rubber, or wood.
what assembler jobs entail
As an assembler, you work in an industrial setting where you use your hands, tools, or computers to install, adjust, insert, affix or seal components. You’ll likely perform a single task repeatedly and get into a rhythm that works for you. Assemblers can work full or part time and will report to a production supervisor. Shifts can vary and be at any time of day.
average assembler salaries
Entry-level assembler salaries range from around $14 to $17 per hour. As you gain experience your salary can bump up to as high as $25 per hour.
Your wages will depend on the industry you're working in, and whether or not your workplace is unionized. Electronic parts assemblers are usually paid higher than entry-level assemblers and fabricators. Aircraft and automotive assemblers generally earn the highest wages.
your day to day tasks
When you start as an assembler, you may find it difficult to reach your target or keep up with the speed of the production line. But in a short time, you’ll find your speed and productivity increase. Some assembler jobs allow you to switch tasks every few hours to provide some variety and learn various assembly jobs. The tasks assigned to assemblers, could include:
- setting up your workstation
- assembling parts according to samples, instructions, or drawings
- moving materials into place for assembly
- packing finished products
- operating powered equipment such as drills, computers, or robotic arms
- using hand tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, or pliers
- lifting heavy objects
- inspecting product quality
where you can work
Assemblers can work wherever there is manufacturing in Canada. Manufacturers of electronics, vehicles, machinery, equipment, and aircraft all need assemblers to produce their goods. When the manufacturing sector is on the upswing there is a corresponding increase in demand for assemblers.
Although manufacturing growth has experienced declines in recent years, a recovery is now anticipated. Currently, opportunities can be found in the mid-sized Ontario cities of Ancastor, Guelph, and Woodstock. With the recent federal government’s investment in the Quebec aerospace industry, Montréal and Québec City are expecting manufacturing job growth. Opportunities also exist in western cities such as Vancouver and Calgary.
what you bring to the table
As an assembler, you need endurance and stamina to accomplish your tasks quickly and accurately. Some of your strengths and abilities include:
- lifting heavy objects
- standing for long periods
- able to following instructions, manuals, and drawings paying attention to details
- able to concentrate while performing repetitive tasks
- desire to work with your hands
- hand-eye coordination and dexterity
- colour vision to correctly identify wires, tabs, and other components
- able to work quickly and efficiently
training and certifications
If you are thinking about becoming an entry-level assembler, you’ll need a high school diploma. If you have a diploma or degree from a technical school in a specialized field like electronics, it could improve your chances of getting an advanced assembler job.
You can attain certification in some industries, such as aerospace. For example, experience as an assembler in the aerospace industry could provide you with accreditation verifying your knowledge and competency as an aircraft assembler.
where your career is headed
High-tech equipment is changing the way manufacturing is accomplished in Canada. Robotics and digital tools make it faster and easier for workers to install components quickly and accurately. Computers can now guide assemblers throughout the entire manufacturing process, showing them which part to install, how to perform tasks, and guiding them step-by-step.
In the aviation and aerospace industry, assemblers with specialized knowledge of robotics and automated processes can become systems integrators working with completed assemblies.