1. ELECTRONICS IN THE HOME
Electronics began at the start of the twentieth century with the invention of the vacuum tube. The first devices for everyday use were radios, followed by televisions, record players, and tape recorders. These devices were large and used a lot of power.
The invention of the transistor in 1947 meant that much smaller, low-powered 222m1214c devices could be developed. A wide variety of electronic devices such as hi-fi units and portable radios became common in the home.
It was not until 1958 that microelectronics began with the development of ICs (integrated circuits) on silicon chips. This led to a great increase in the use of electronics in everyday items. The introduction of the microprocessor allowed electronics to be used for the control of many common processes.
Microprocessors are now used to control many household items such as automatic washing-machines, dishwashers, central heating systems, sewing machines, and food processors. Electronic timers are found in digital alarm clocks, water heaters, electric cookers, and microwave ovens. Telephones use electronics to provide automatic dialing and answer-phone facilities. New entertainment devices have been developed, such as video recorders and CD (compact disc) players.
In the future, electronics are likely to become even more common in the home as multimedia entertainment systems and computer-controlled robots are developed.
2. CHOOSING A COURSE
In the
A college of further education will take students who have completed a minimum of four years at secondary school. Most students study full-time but colleges also offer day release classes to people employed by local businesses who are given time off work to attend courses. Colleges also provide evening classes for full-time workers and members of the local community who want to study in their spare time.
Most university students will have completed six years of secondary school. Some will have completed four years and then taken a course at a college of further education.
From a college you can get a certificate or diploma. A diploma usually requires a longer period of study than a certificate. Universities give degrees. A Bachelor`s degree takes three to four years of study. A Master`s degree usually requires a further year.
Tell me a little about the course that you`re doing. What`s it called?
- It`s a National Certificate in Electronics.
- And is it a full-time course?
- No, it`s a day release.
- Can you explain to me what day release means?
- Well, the company I work for gives me paid time off and also pays my fees to do this course.
- How much time do they give you?
- One day a week.
- So they give you one day a week off for study and they pay all your fees and, of course, they`re paying your salary for that one day.
- That`s right.
- And how long does your course last?
- Three years.
- If you were to do it full-time, how long would it take?
- A year.
- And how long have you been studying?
- Two years. I`ve got one year to go.
- Do you have to do a lot of study at home, in your own time?
- Yes, you`ve got to study on top of your work. But on the other hand, you`re getting paid and you don`t need to look for a job at the end of the course.
- How will things change when you complete your course? What do you hope to do?
Well, I hope to become a test engineer.
A test engineer. What would that involve?
Testing the instruments before they`re shipped. The instruments get built on the lines. Then they get hooked up to test gear to check if they`re working properly.
So, in a year`s time you`ll have completed your certificate. You would hope then to be promoted to test engineer?
They`ve agreed that if I get to the end of the course, I`ll be a test technician. Then I have to stay with the company for another four years` work experience, and finally I can become a test engineer. Or, if I went on to do a higher certificate, I would get it sooner.
So there are two routes: work experience or a further qualification.
Yes.
In your case will it be the work experience route?
I don`t know. I would like to think that I would go on and do my HNC, but I`ll have to wait for another year and see how I get on.
Would that be full-time?
No, day release. If I were to leave my job, I wouldn`t get it back. Not these days.
3. INTERVIEW. THE JOB
- Where do you work?
I work for a recording studio.
Now, you`re a sound engineer. What does that mean?
When we`re recording, I`m responsible for making sure that we get the best quality of sound on tape.
How did you get started in this line?
I used to work for a commercial radio station - as a sound technician. But even at school I was interested in recording. I used to make up my own tape compilations, and at college I had my own mobile disco.
For student parties?
Yes, I sued to make a few bob that way.
Is it mainly music that you record now?
Yes, but we do a lot of other work, too. For example, today we were recording a radio commercial for whisky - in four different languages, including Japanese.
- Tell me about the company you work for. What does it produce? What does it do?
It makes instruments - signal generators, that sort of thing. It has its own PC assembly line within the factory.
And have you worked there for some time?
Five years.
So did you go there straight after leaving school?
Yes, I left school at sixteen.
And were you interested at all at school in electronics or physics?
Not really. It wasn`t till I started work. I was on the assembly line and I thought - I don`t want to do this for the rest of my life.
Why not?
It`s so boring. You assemble things, but you don`t know what they do or how they work.
What were you assembling?
Spectrum analysers. They are used for picking up signals. Most of the contracts are for cable television.
So you were on an assembly line, you got fed up with it, and you wanted to get ahead?
Yes, and I needed a qualification to get further within the company.
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