Digital and Satellite Installers

With digital and satellite television becoming ever more popular and most houses having one or the other there is now a larger call for satellite installers than ever before. The work includes:

• carrying out site surveys as a basis for quotes
• planning cabling and distribution networks
• installing and fixing aerials or satellite dishes to mounts
• connecting signal outlet sockets
• checking signal levels
• testing equipment and rectifying faults.

As well as the different duties they have to make sure they have a selection of tools with them on the job these include:

• wiring tools
• signal strength and quality testers
• drills
• ladders
• on more complex jobs they will need detailed drawings or plans of the building they are working on

There are certain interests and skills every satellite technician should have before starting in that type of career some of these include:

• good numeracy skills for totalling the cost of the work done
• should have good communication skills so they are able to explain more complicated things to the customers
• have normal colour vision to be able to identify different wires easily
• be able to keep up to date with satellite technology as it changes over the years
• understand the safe work procedures as they will be working up ladders as well as on the ground

There are courses you can take that will enable you to follow this as a career but to gain access to these courses you need to have certain specifications met there are, however, other paths you could follow:

• Entry into this career is mainly as a trainee technician so routes are either through an apprenticeship scheme, aimed at 16-24 year olds, or as a result of direct employment with an installation company.
• Most employers would expect you to have a reasonable standard of education. Four or five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3), including English, or equivalent qualifications would be accepted in most cases.
• You may be able to gain a trainee post with an installation company if you have experience and/or qualifications in electronic/electrical engineering or servicing, or even experience in telecommunications. Courses leading to these qualifications, such as BTEC certificates or diplomas are available at most local colleges.
• The Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI) also runs short introductory courses aimed at beginners in basic installation of satellite systems.

So as you can see if you are considering this as a career there are plenty of routes to take in regards of getting the basic skills and options for those wanting to further there knowledge in the area.