Electromechanical and electrical/electronics engineers and technicians need assistance in assembling electromechanical equipment and other electronics. This work is typically done at factories at the manufacturing level. A formal education in electronic assembly is not necessarily required but will be helpful in getting electronic assembly jobs.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the main categories of electronic assembler jobs are for electrical and electronics equipment and electromechanical equipment. In 2008, there were 213,300 jobs for electrical and electronics assembly and 62,100 for electromechanical equipment assemblers. These numbers are projected to remain somewhat steady through 2018.
It is true that many assembly-worker jobs require only a high school diploma. However, the BLS cautions that employers may be looking for formal electronics assembly training for jobs assembling electronic and electromechanical equipment.
Technical schools would generally be the place to get this formal training. However, college classes in electrical engineering and technology or electromechanical engineering technology could also increase the chance of getting these jobs. The side benefit of a college education is that you may then qualify for higher-paying jobs. For example, electromechanical technicians made a median salary of about $49,000 in May of 2010. This compares favorably to that of electromechanical equipment assemblers, who had an average salary of about $31,000 at the same time.
Nonetheless, you may wish to go to technical school or a community college and get electrical or electromechanical assembly training first. For example, Salt Lake Community College has a School of Applied Technology with separate Electronics Assembly and Electromechanical Assembly Technician certificate programs.
Another advantage of going to school for assembler training is that you will make contacts and also often get job-hunting assistance from the school. However, you could also hunt down electronics assembly jobs on your own. Sites like Aerotek run job postings for electronics and electromechanical manufacturers and other equipment assembly companies. This is in addition to local brick-and-mortar employment agencies (public or private) that find qualified assembly job applicants.
Resources:
Salt Lake Community College: School of Applied Science Training and Certificate Programs for Assemblers and Technicians
BLS: Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers