Useful Qualifications
How much could I expect to earn?
The work
Skills required
Opportunities

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

• As a member of an IT support team within a large organisation, servicing the computer network.
• On commercial contract work for a specialist IT service company.
• 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.

The key tasks of a service and repair technician are to:

• Install and support new IT systems.
• Upgrade existing hardware and software.
• Devise and operate maintenance procedures for clients.
• Test systems to a routine schedule, diagnosing and correcting any faults.
• Maintain servers and IT security systems.
• Maintain email systems for internal and external networks.
• Maintain peripherals such as printers, scanners and video conferencing equipment.
• Prepare estimates for new installations.
• Carry out routine administration such as maintaining service records.

Technicians may also have responsibility for training staff to use newly upgraded equipment correctly and safely.

Increasingly, employers seek industry-recognised certification from vendor specific programmes such as CompTIA, Cisco & Microsoft, for example:  

• CompTIA A+ Certification covers: installation, configuring and upgrading, diagnosis and troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, motherboards, processors and memory, printers, basic networking, operating system fundamentals and networks.
• 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 already achieved a foundation qualification such as A+ or N+.

These figures are intended as a guideline only.

Starting salaries are between £14,500 and £17,500.
Experienced staff earn between £19,000 and £26,000.
Senior staff with management responsibility can earn up to £30,000 a year.

As a computer service and repair technician you would be expected to work 37 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday and possibly some weekends. You might be required to work shifts, especially where the employer has 24-hour technical cover.

A driving licence might be compulsory if the work involves travel between clients' premises, for example as a field engineer.

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.

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.