Electronics

WorldSkills Occupational Standards (WSOS)

Occupation description and WSOS

The name of the skill competition is

Electronics

Description of the associated work role(s) or occupation(s)

The electronics industry is very diverse and has evolved into several specialisms. Some Electronics Technicians will work across many aspects of electronics but increasing specialization and technical developments mean that specialist Electronics Technicians are widely employed.

The key areas of specialism which can be seen as careers in their own right include the assembly and wiring of electronic products; the designing of prototype circuits to specifications and/or to solve specified technical problems; the installation and commissioning of equipment including the provision of customer support; service and maintenance which includes service at customer/repair/service-depot locations and remotely; and monitoring and testing to specifications: circuits, sub-assemblies and systems. Also approving circuits, sub-assemblies, systems as fit-for-purpose or meeting government regulations.

Electronics Technicians also rely on Schematic Capture and Layout software to create/verify/simulate schematic circuits and printed circuit boards. This is a specialised occupation in its own right and involves the creation of production documents such as Bills of Material, Gerber Files, Excellon drill files and other automated equipment files.

Electronics specialists work in a wide range of industries supported by highly technical specialist equipment. Almost every aspect of today’s world relies on, or directly uses, electronic technology. It can be said that all technologies today use Electronics in one form or another.

Electronics Technicians must work with a high degree of accuracy and precision, conforming to detailed specifications and international quality standards and demonstrating extensive technical ability. Due to the constant developments in technology, the Electronics Technician needs to be proactive in ensuring that their skills and knowledge are up-to-date and meet industry standards and expectations.

The Electronics Technician may work directly with clients and will therefore need to demonstrate excellent customer service and communication skills and work effectively to time schedules. When working with clients, the Electronics Technician may have to explain elements of complex electronics principles to assist the client to use equipment correctly. Often the nature of the establishment in which the Electronics Technician works will require them to respect confidentiality in relation to highly commercially sensitive information and to demonstrate integrity, honesty, and a strong ethical sense.

The electronics specialist will work with a wide range of tools. These tools are often specialized and include measurement test equipment. Computers and specialist software development tools are used to create programs for embedded systems, programmable devices, and desktop systems. In addition, tasks will also require the use of specialist hand tools for the assembly, maintenance and rework of circuits. Surface mounted technology (SMT) is the dominant technology.

The industry also relies on Electronics Technicians to implement software solutions used to address manufacturing requirements. Electronics Technicians may also setup, configure and tune automated assemblies, circuits, systems, and processes.

Embedding microcontroller units (MCUs) into systems forms the basis for Embedded Systems Engineering and is another electronics specialism. Embedded System design involves interfacing MCUs to the outside world via sensors/communication interfaces. It also involves the writing of quality software to perform required tasks.

The WorldSkills Occupational Standards (WSOS)

General notes on the WSOS

The WSOS specifies the knowledge, understanding, skills, and capabilities that underpin international best practice in technical and vocational performance. These are both specific to an occupational role and also transversal. Together they should reflect a shared global understanding of what the associated work role(s) or occupation(s) represent for industry and business (www.worldskills.org/WSOS).

The skill competition is intended to reflect international best practice as described by the WSOS, to the extent that it can. The Standard is therefore a guide to the required training and preparation for the skill competition.

In the skill competition the assessment of knowledge and understanding will take place through the assessment of performance. There will only be separate tests of knowledge and understanding where there is an overwhelming reason for these.

The Standard is divided into distinct sections with headings and reference numbers added.

Each section is assigned a percentage of the total marks to indicate its relative importance within the Standards. This is often referred to as the “weighting”. The sum of all the percentage marks is 100. The weightings determine the distribution of marks within the Marking Scheme.

Through the Test Project, the Marking Scheme will assess only those skills and capabilities that are set out in the WorldSkills Occupational Standards. They will reflect the Standards as comprehensively as possible within the constraints of the skill competition.

The Marking Scheme will follow the allocation of marks within the Standards to the extent practically possible. A variation of up to five percent is allowed, if this does not distort the weightings assigned by the Standards.

WorldSkills Occupational Standards

Section		Relative importance (%)
1	Work organization and management	10
	The individual needs to know and understand: Creativity in the design of circuits, PCB layout, and programming Critical thinking in the design of circuits, PCB, fault-finding, and programming Honesty and integrity Self-motivation Problem-solving Effective working under pressure Health and safety legislation Best practices in relation to skills The importance of continuing personal development Company cultures and procedures and potential variations dependent on national practice
	The individual shall be able to: Work professionally in relation to the environment and others Work with colleagues and teams both in the local environment and remotely Present ideas to teams and clients Exercise care in the workplace for personal and others’ safety Take appropriate preventative action to minimize accidents and their impact Proactively engage in continuing professional development Develop effective record keeping practices to facilitate traceability for future development and maintenance and to comply with international standards Interpret and recognise international symbols, diagrams and languages used by other International Standards Institutes Source and purchase components and test equipment to meet specifications and be cost effective Write reports and record data about testing techniques, laboratory equipment and specifications to assist engineers Communicate effectively with customers Train others on the use of installations Keep up to date with changes in technology Act professionally on clients’ premises Initiate records for on-going maintenance policy Establish maintenance contracts where appropriate
2	Application of electronics in practice	15
	The individual needs to know and understand: The various electronics specialisms within specific industries Commonly used and International industry standard symbols ANDI (US) and IEC (EU) styles Commonly used units of distance measurement (mils and mm) The business environment of the client materials and tools of the electronics industry in ordinary servicing, installation, and repair tasks (Electronic Circuit Component Specifications Analogue and digital logic circuit and sensor circuit AC and DC technology Power Wire and cables Connectors Displays Circuit Design Analysis, of electrical circuits, electronic circuits, digital logic circuits and sensor circuits Inductive and capacitive reactance Capacitor and inductor characteristic charging and discharging behaviour Capacitor selection and suitability to application Passive and Active Filters Oscillators (RC, Crystal, PLL) Multistage Circuits Basic amplifier circuits (AC, DC, and power amplifiers) Basic Op Amp circuits Practical Operational Amplifier considerations. Generators and pulse shapers Generators for sine wave voltage: RC, quartz, LC oscillators, Wien bridge generator, phase generator Pulse shaper: Schmitt trigger, differentiator, and integrator Race Conditions Truth tables, timing diagrams, karnaugh mapping, boolean algebra, combinational logic, combinational logic applications Number systems, Binary and Hexadesimal numbers Properties of basic gates AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, EXCLUSIVE OR EXCLUSIVE NOR Procedures for substituting basic NAND or NOR gates for basic gates Methods for creating digital logic to perform specified operations Digital logic equation/functions from given circuits. Industry standard waveform measurement characteristics Combinational and sequential logic circuits EMI Shielding techniques Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) best practices
	The individual shall be able to: Identify and analyse the appropriate principle for the task Apply cognitive skills as appropriate to the task Use computers as a tool to perform Circuit design, PCB Layout and Simulation Programming of embedded devices Test and measurement of components and circuit operation to given specifications The control of circuit boards and production machinery Create communication links typically used in embedded systems Interface MCUs to external devices Read and interpret engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, schematic drawings, technical manuals, and engineering instructions Install equipment, components, units, upgrades, or refurbished equipment into service
3	Prototype hardware design	25
	The individual needs to know and understand: The application of electronic principles Specialist (PCB design) software Design that is fit for purpose The process of converting a design into actuality
	The individual shall be able to: Calculate and select component values that are fit-for-purpose Implement heatsinking principles Design modifications to given basic electronics blocks Design circuits that meet specification and are fit for purpose. Use computer circuit simulation software to test that circuit designs are fit for purpose. Discuss and interpret design briefs and specifications Draw schematic circuits using schematic capture and PCB layout software Use the 3D capabilities of PCB Layout software. Lay out PCBs using industry best practices Generate fit-for-purpose PCB manufacturing data Assemble components onto PCBs to create functional circuits Test prototypes and adjust as required Implement rework and repair mistakes in design to industry standards
4	Embedded systems programming	25
	The individual needs to know and understand: Embedded Systems Microcontrollers Microcontroller Development Tools Integrated Software Development Environments commonly used in industry Device Programming methods. Programming embedded systems using the C-language and industry best practices The application of microcontroller interfacing principles Common MCU peripherals Programming and interfaces to external peripherals Power management techniques Watch-dog timers Interrupt handling (ISRs) and resets
	The individual shall be able to: Locate, correct and re-compile syntax errors Write, compile, upload, test, and debug C-code that performs to specification. Use common C functions Use supplied functions Write functions to perform a specified task Open, compile and upload pre-written code onto embedded systems. Modify, debug, download, verify/test pre-written codes on embedded systems Design, write, debug, download/upload, and verify/test programs to solve/perform specified tasks Use and/or write interrupt handlers (ISRs) and/or polling techniques where appropriate Use generally accepted best practices when writing code Use pre-written code and/or design and write code that implements power management techniques
5	Fault finding and repair	15
	The individual needs to know and understand: The application of electronic principles Contexts in which the function of fault finding, testing, repair and measurement takes place. The limitations and applications of test equipment Implications of unreliable equipment on business and preventative maintenance Techniques used to isolate faults Techniques used to make measurements on practical circuits Software techniques used in troubleshooting embedded systems How to work safely with high voltage and high currents Effects of ESD and working safely with ESD sensitive devices When to adopt safe and appropriate alternatives, shortcuts, and solutions
	The individual shall be able to: Check the functionality and calibration of test equipment Select the appropriate equipment to perform measurements Take measurements to test, set, adjust, and measure electronic components, modules, and equipment using measurement equipment that can measure and analyse voltage, currents, and waveforms Determine causes of operating errors and the required action to repair Isolate faults to the component level Adjust/replace/upgrade defective or improperly functioning circuitry and/or electronics components, using hand-tools and through-hole and surface mount soldering techniques Test electronics units and components, using standard test equipment Analyse results to evaluate performance against specification and determine the need for adjustment Record evidence of successful repair Collect and analyse the evidence both manually and remotely Complete repair reports that record the nature, evidence, cause, and repairs performed on faulty units Support the development of preventative maintenance schedules Perform preventative maintenance and calibration of equipment and systems Use automatic test equipment Use digital documentation Measure specific electrical parameters with precision and/or plotting variations over time to determine correct circuit functionality Determine if an electronic component meets specification Design and implement test strategies to localize/find faults Use computers as a tool to perform test routines, implement test strategies and collect and analyse test data Replace components and perform rework to industry standards Replace components or modules with ones not originally designed or intended for use in a PCB or System, to obtain temporary functionality or for use in prototypes.
6	Assembly and Measurement	10
	The individual needs to know and understand: Relevant industry standards The application of electronic principles The purposes and functions of components to fulfil required tasks Typical tools used in electronic assembly Safe working practices ESD safe working practices How to make, save and print accurate DSO measurements
	The individual shall be able to: Identify and assemble and use electro-mechanical parts Identify and assemble common sensors. Assemble mechanical parts to form working units Wire and form cables harnesses Identify, assemble, and use various types of parts and surface mounted device parts Work to correct sequences and tolerances. Solder components using lead free solder to comply with industry standards Install, test, and calibrate a completed assembly to customer specifications
	Total	100

References for industry consultation

General notes

WorldSkills is committed to ensuring that the WorldSkills Occupational Standards fully reflect the dynamism of internationally recognized best practice in industry and business. To do this WorldSkills approaches a number of organizations across the world that can offer feedback on the draft Description of the Associated Role and WorldSkills Occupational Standards on a two-yearly cycle.

In parallel to this, WSI consults three international occupational classifications and databases:

ISCO-08: (http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/stat/isco/isco08/)
ESCO: (https://ec.europa.eu/esco/portal/home )
O*NET OnLine (www.onetonline.org/)

References

This WSOS appears most closely to relate to a Microelectronics Engineering Technician: http://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/0ea36a48-a27d-4515-b61f-3cab395cf60f

and/or Electronics Engineering Technicians:
https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/17-3023.01 .

These links can also be used to explore adjacent occupations.

ILO 3114

The following table indicates which organizations were approached and provided valuable feedback for the Description of the Associated Role and WorldSkills Occupational Standards in place for WorldSkills Lyon 2024.

Organization	Contact name
LPKF (Tianjin) Co. Ltd	Guo Guo, Team Leader for DQ Application of China
Nokia Corporation - Nokia Bell Labs	Antti Rantaeskola, Engineer