Considering a Career in Maintenance?

If you like to fix things and build things, work with your hands, don’t mind getting dirty, like technology and don’t want to sit at a desk, you should seriously consider a career in maintenance.

There are many different types of maintenance workers, which include electrical, mechanical, aircraft, avionics, and helicopter and building maintenance.

Many maintenance technicians work in manufacturing plants, such as automotive, aviation, food, medical plants to repair, install and maintain equipment.  The majority of their time is spent on working to keep equipment up and running because it’s very expensive for plants to have extended amounts of downtime.

Due to rapid improvements in technology, machines are becoming more complicated so it’s important that maintenance workers are computer and electronic savvy.

Training

If you are considering a career in maintenance there are basically two ways to obtain training.  The first is to attend a community college offering maintenance training that will consist of hands on training, classroom instructions and text book exercises.

The second is to enter an apprenticeship program where you work with an experienced maintenance technician who will train you to complete specific tasks while you take classes at nights or weekends to obtain your certificate or license.  Apprenticeship programs are usually offered by companies who will have a joint program with local unions or community colleges.

Requirements to enter an apprenticeship program are less stringent than community colleges, however, more companies are only accepting individuals who have a high school degree.  They also prefer high school students who have taken some vocational classes like blue print reading, mechanical drawing, computer programming, wood working, auto repair, etc.

Training in aircraft maintenance is the most stringent because you will have to pass exams to become certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, be fluent in reading and speaking English and have the required basic technical skills.  To become a certified aircraft mechanic the FAA requires students to complete a minimum of 1,900 class hours.

To become a maintenance electricians most states and local governments require a license, however, requirements vary by state/local area.  Electricians are required to pass an exam testing their knowledge of electrical theory, local/state electric and building codes and the National Electrical Code.

Pay

Salaries for maintenance technicians depend on industry, geography and job classification.  Entry level maintenance workers can expect o make from $14 to over $20 per hour plus benefits.  Workers with over 5 years experience can earn over $30 per hour.

Job Outlook

Maintenance workers tend to be older men, who will start to retire in drove over the next few years which will result in a shortage of workers to fill these positions.  Younger workers want to work in cleaner environments and jobs that are less physically demanding.  Additionally, younger individuals tend to shy away from technical career which involves math and science.