Some companies also employ workers on swing and night shifts. Night shift workers can usually expect to receive up to an additional ten percent in pay as a shift premium, or they receive eight hours of pay for fewer hours of work. Fringe benefits usually include all major holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, and health and life insurance plans. Protective clothing is usually supplied by the employer, and some companies also provide prescription safety glasses for their employees, if necessary. Most employers prefer candidates for electronics assembler positions to be high school graduates.
Employers also stress the importance of being able to follow detailed written and oral instructions.
Courses in blueprint reading, the use of tools, mathematics, English, mechanical drawing, and science are useful for this occupation. Although Assembler is an entry-level position in the electronics industry, most employers prefer applicants who have had some prior experience, preferably in production work. However, it is more important for applicants to have the ability to do precision work on a repetitive basis at relatively high speed. Other personal qualifications that are helpful are patience, ability to work with others, and attention to detail. Many of California's community colleges offer electronic technology courses, which include subjects such as soldering techniques, circuit construction, and reading schematics.