Assemble Your Future: 4 Steps to Becoming a Successful Assembler

Craft a Career Path with Achievable Living Wages

Thinking about pursuing a career in assembling? Here is what you need to know:

Assembler Responsibilities

Assemblers play a crucial role in manufacturing by constructing components according to the specifications and ensuring successful use. Read on to discover what you need to know to succeed in this area of employment.

• Reading and comprehending instructions and following procedures 

• Collecting all material and equipment needed  
• Taking accurate measurements to ensure perfect fit of components. 
• Selecting or modifying components according to measurements and specifications 
• Assembling complex units  
• Checking output to ensure highest quality. 

• Ensuring that equipment is in good condition. 
• Keeping records of production quantities and time 
• Reporting on issues, malfunction, or defective parts 

Requirements and Skills 

• Technical knowledge – Assemblers must have the technical knowledge to understand blueprints, drawings, diagrams, etc. and assemble the parts accordingly.  

• Operation of Tools and Machinery – They will also need to be comfortable operating tools and/or machinery if needed. 

• Knowledge of Standards – They must also have a good understanding of quality control principles, so they ensure that the product or component meets the standards.  

• Communication Skills – They will also need effective verbal skills to convey instructions or report issues to coworkers and supervisors. Written communication is also needed to complete reports for production or quality control. They will also have to complete repair request forms.  

• Physical Condition and Hand-Eye Coordination – Assemblers are required to stand for long periods of time, bend down, climb ladders and lift up to 75 pounds, so it is important to maintain a physical condition that allows them to do so. Hand-eye coordination is also required to efficiently assemble components. 

• Education – A High School diploma or GED certificate is required, but a degree from a technical school could affect your pay and increase your chance of being hired. 

Hours 

An assembler typically works 40 hours a week. The three types of shifts are first, second, and third. Workers on the first shift will typically work from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The second shift workers will start where the first shift left off at 5:00 pm and work until 1:00 am. The third shift will take over at 1:00 am and work until 8:00 am. The length and times of these shifts may vary depending on the employer. There may be times where you will have to work overtime to help the company meet production quota. 

Salary 

The average annual salary of an assembler is $33,156, but you can earn anywhere from $15/hr to $19/hr. This number will depend on location, years of experience, education, and certification. 

Environment 

Assemblers work in a factory setting around machinery and heavy equipment. They may complete code wiring, lift heavy components of machinery, climb ladders, and stand for a long period of time to perform repetitive tasks.  

Steps to becoming an Assembler

1. Education – Earn a school diploma or GED certification and consider pursuing higher education. 

2. Work Experience – Start out with an entry-level position to gain work experience, become more familiar with the work setting, and help you identify the type of assembler position you want to pursue. 

3. Consider Certification – Consider pursuing certificates relating to the type of assembler position you are interested in. Some examples are the Fundamentals of Metal Fabrication Certificate, Laser Welding Technology Certificate, and Precision Sheet Metal Operator (PSMO) Certification. 

4. Interview – Before your interview, spend some time preparing by answering example interview questions. The interviewer will most likely ask questions about your experience, personality, problem solving abilities, and technical knowledge. 
   • Pro Tip! Millennium Search will interview most candidates by appointment OR just walking in! So, if you are ready and able call or visit our job page and apply.

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_{Sources: BLS.gov | careeronestop.org | Millennium Search LLC’s Job Market Research Department | Photo Source: Mikhail Nilov:}