How the Circular Economy Is Creating New Jobs in Electronics Repair and Remanufacturing
The circular economy aims to reduce waste, support the planet’s health, and provide usable materials to those who can continue to use them. While many think of steps like donating home goods or recycling paper products, e-waste is one of the most important components to making a serious impact on the environment. To be effective, highly skilled professionals, including electronics technicians, are essential.
At George Brown College, our Electronics Technician Program provides those who want to participate in this industry with the advanced education necessary to do so. Consider how the circular economy is creating new jobs in electronics repair and remanufacturing, and how you can become a part of it.
What Is the Circular Economy and E-Waste?
The circular economy is a strategy to reduce waste and maximize the use of resources by following the 3 R’s: reusing, recycling, and repurposing materials. It allows valuable materials to continue to be reused instead of becoming actual waste. One type of waste that should be minimized is e-waste, or electronic waste. This includes unwanted electronic equipment, including cables, batteries, fluorescent lights, and smart devices.
Studies show that the amount of e-waste generated in Canada has tripled in the last 20 years, contributing to landfills. Yet, e-waste is often highly reusable and doing so reduces the risk of needing to pull those materials from the environment. While recycling is important, so is reusing.
How Electronic Technicians Contribute to the Circular Economy
For companies in various industries, it can prove to be critical to have access to the latest technology and electronic components. Instead of replacing older systems, such as laptops and computer sensors, it’s possible to repair and maintain them over time. This ensures the tools work at the highest level – and even incorporate the latest technology – and don’t end up in a landfill as a result.
Refurbishing and repairing electronics is a sustainable approach that allows companies to contribute to the circular economy in a meaningful way. It allows companies to extend the life of devices and reduce overall expenditures on new equipment and tools that may not be necessary.
How Skilled Electronics Technicians Fill the Gap
Skilled electronic technicians work with companies to minimize what they are replacing. There are various strategies they can employ to do so, with a focus on the following:
Repairs: Instead of replacing a system that is not working, it is possible to repair it in many situations. For example, consider a simple example. If a computer system is still in good functioning order, but the components within need to be upgraded or modernized, technicians can provide that service, saving the owner from having to replace those items.
- Testing: Another core service that electronic technicians provide is testing. Testing, along with maintenance and preventative upgrades, allows the continued use of materials and a reduction in failures or breakdowns. It also enables companies to always work at the leading edge of the industry by having modern and cutting-edge technology available to them.
Refurbishment: Many electronic technicians work to refurbish electronic equipment so that it can be reused, keeping materials out of the landfills and helping to fill needs at a fraction of the cost. Refurbishment professionals will work to repair and upgrade, and often make systems fit new needs.
Breathing new life into older systems or providing new, modern ways to effectively maintain equipment is not just something companies need to do to meet circular economy and sustainability goals. It is also one of the most effective strategies for consumer products. As an electronic technician, you have the ability to support these efforts at the consumer and industrial levels.
How Our Programs Prepare You for a Career in the Circular Economy
At George Brown College, we are helping people who are ready to learn a new skill to build a career in the e-waste and circular economy, to achieve the necessary education to do so. Our electronics courses online provide you with everything you need to know to work in this type of industry. That includes learning skills in areas such as:
Build strong troubleshooting and diagnostic skills
- Preparing you with the latest in electronic skills and knowledge, even if you have no basis of education from which to start
- Building, installation, operation, and repair of electrical equipment and systems at consumer and industrial levels
- Use simulation systems and strategies to effectively engage in real-world scenarios, making you ready for the work
Provide you with guidance on both hard and soft skills to work in consumer, commercial, and industrial electronics positions
With our Electronic Technician Certificate Program, you will be able to work in sustainable tech management. This type of educational program does not require any previous education. You can learn through independent courses designed to encourage you and build your skills over time. You will be ready for employment or further on-the-job training as a service technician in these fields.
How to Get Started as an Electronic Technician
George Brown College provides you with the ability to step into a new industry, embracing not just work that consumers and companies need, but also to contribute to the sustainability practices that are so important.
Contact us now to learn more about our Electronic Technician Certificate program and explore the opportunities available to you. If you have questions, please contact our Program Consultants toll free at 1-888-553-5333.