Appliance Repair Courses
Appliance repair professionals enjoy working in a variety of settings, including homes, offices, and repair workshops, repairing and maintaining the appliances we use every day for a number of tasks. It is a rewarding career that permits advancement as part of a repair business or as an independent contractor.
Schools for Appliance Repair
Penn Foster Career School 
Educational Requirements
Those wishing to become appliance repair professionals typically complete degree or diploma programs in their area of expertise. These programs award associate’s degrees, certificates, or diplomas to those who successfully complete their academic program of study.
The most common option is a diploma program in which students take courses on electronic wiring, mechanics, mathematics, and safety standards. Some programs offer specific repair courses focused on a particular type of appliance, like microwaves, refrigerators, or copy machines. Further specialization may be available from schools authorized to offer courses on repairing specific brands of appliances.
Those who opt for degree programs culminating in Associate of Applied Science degrees can expect to combine general studies with courses focused on repair work. Practical experience is also important and students will have the opportunity to practice repairing different types of appliances. Programs may be broadly focused on repairing a variety of appliances, or specialized in terms of repairing kitchen appliances or refrigerators, for example.
Certificates are also available through a number of professional associations. For example, the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians offers the National Appliance Service Technician Certificate, while the Professional Service Association administers a Certified Appliance Professional certification process. In either case, appliance repair professionals must demonstrate their abilities in diagnosing, repairing, and servicing major household and office appliances.
Career Opportunities
 A number of career opportunities are available to appliance repair professionals, including working full- or part-time at an existing repair business, or starting one’s own business. In fact, nearly 30% of all appliance repair professionals are self-employed. Those working for existing businesses tend to work for laundry or dry cleaning services, electronics stores, or building equipment contractors.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job prospects are excellent for certified appliance repair professionals. The employment rate is expected to increase by 2% between 2008 and 2018. Companies have recently reported a lack of certified professionals applying for available positions. Thus, formal training will give prospective appliance repair professionals an edge over their competitors. In 2008, average hourly wages for appliance repair professionals were $16.30 or $38,010 annually. Repair work often involves commissions on top of the typical salary, so actual wages may in fact be higher.
Job Description
Appliance repair professionals assess problems with large and small appliances, evaluate the need for repairs, and repair or offer advice on replacing broken appliances. They use specialized computer tools to diagnose problems, and must be able to interpret blueprints and accurately estimate the time and cost of repairs. Those wishing to start their own appliance repair business must also be prepared to maintain financial records, handle their business’ marketing and advertising needs, and organize work within their business.
Appliance repair professionals conduct their work in a variety of settings, depending on their specific area of expertise. Those specializing in small, portable appliances tend to work in repair shops, whereas technicians focusing on repairing larger items like refrigerators typically do on-site repair work. They may work early mornings, late afternoons, evenings, and even on weekends to meet the needs of their clients. Organization skills are also important as appliance repair professionals must often divide their time among several repair projects.
Characteristics of Successful Appliance Repair Professionals
Successful appliance repair professionals are not only skilled in their trade they are also friendly and courteous. In person contact with customers is an essential part of the job and having a personable demeanor is extremely helpful.
Similar Fields of Study
Those considering appliance repair may also be interested in the related field of HVAC, or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Like appliance repair professionals, HVAC technicians service a number of larger ventilation appliances and have the opportunity to either work at an existing business or start their own. Likewise, training involves a combination of classroom training and practical experience in areas that largely overlap with those studied by appliance repair professionals, including mechanics, electronics, and refrigeration.
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