Are you interested in becoming an industrial maintenance technician but not sure where to start? There are a few different paths to working in this field, and no shortage of industrial maintenance training programs and apprenticeships to help you get there. In this article, we will discuss the characteristics and abilities needed to become an industrial maintenance technician and the different routes you can take to learn the basic skills and concepts employers are looking for in entry-level technicians.
Industrial Maintenance Technician Career Outlook
Industrial maintenance technicians, also sometimes referred to as industrial machinery mechanics or machine adjusters, are responsible for keeping industrial production machinery, systems and equipment in good working order. Sophisticated, large-scale industrial operations rely on advanced (and expensive) equipment and machinery that require skilled technicians to install, operate, maintain and repair. Increasing levels of automation in factories and processing facilities has also raised demand for maintenance workers to keep machines functioning properly.
There are many different industries that rely on skilled maintenance technicians to keep operations up and running. Examples of industries with high levels of employment for industrial maintenance technicians and machinery mechanics include:
- Chemical Manufacturing
- Plastics Product Manufacturing
- Pulp, Paper and Paperboard Mills
- Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing
- Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution
- Natural Gas Transportation
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers was $51,630 in May 2018.1 The job outlook for industrial maintenance technicians in California is even better. Not only does the Golden State have the second largest number of industrial machinery mechanics in the country, but the annual median wage for industrial maintenance technicians in California is nearly $8,000 higher than the national median annual wage as of May 2018.2
Characteristics of an Industrial Maintenance Technician
Are you a do-it-yourselfer? A problem solver? The hands-on type? If you’re looking into becoming an industrial maintenance technician, the answer to these questions is probably yes. But what does it take to succeed in this competitive field? And more importantly, what kind of traits and skillsets are employers looking for in industrial maintenance technicians? To help you answer some of these questions, here is a look at a few (but not all) important characteristics of industrial maintenance technicians:
Manual dexterity – Industrial maintenance technicians make their living working with their hands, so good hand-eye coordination (and a steady hand) is important for anyone interested in this career. Industrial mechanics and technicians are expected to grasp, manipulate, disassemble and reassemble objects, quickly and repeatedly adjust controls, and make precisely coordinated movements. Hands-on training and experience with actual industrial systems, equipment and tools can help develop and refine the motor skills needed in this field.
Mechanical knowledge – The fundamental responsibility of an industrial maintenance technician is to operate and maintain the equipment found in modern industrial facilities and settings. As such, knowledge of machines and tools—including their designs, uses, repair and maintenance—is one of the defining characteristics of successful industrial maintenance technicians. If you don’t have deep mechanical knowledge, an industrial maintenance training program and/or apprenticeship can teach you the principles, applications, concepts and functions needed to enter the field.
Troubleshooting skills – Installing, operating, maintaining and repairing modern industrial equipment requires critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills. Successful industrial maintenance technicians have a firm grasp of information ordering (arranging actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific set of rules) and acute problem sensitivity (the ability to recognize a problem and tell when something is likely to go wrong in the future). You can expect to hone these troubleshooting skills over time with more experience around actual industrial systems and equipment.
Knowing these characteristics can help you compare your strengths and weaknesses in relation to industrial maintenance technicians in the field, but still, how do you know if this field is right for you? The Occupational Information Network (O*NET), a career exploration and job analysis resource center sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and Employment & Training Administration, provides “interest codes” for the thousands of occupations in its database. These interest codes help job seekers decide if a career is a good fit based on their personality, interests, work habits, etc. The interest code for industrial maintenance mechanics is RIC, which stands for3:
- Realistic – “Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.” (O*NET)
- Investigative – “Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.” (O*NET)
- Conventional – “Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually, there is a clear line of authority to follow.” (O*NET)
If these interests describe you or sound appealing, industrial maintenance may be a good fit. You can also use the O*NET Interest Profiler to help you discover your interests and decide what kinds of careers you might want to explore.4
Industrial Maintenance Technician Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are one of the most common routes for new industrial maintenance technicians looking to get into the field. An apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with supplemental instruction to help new workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation. Industrial maintenance apprenticeships are paid a percentage of the current journeyperson wage rate (a “journeyperson” is someone considered competent and authorized to work in a field as a fully qualified employee). The rate goes up as more on-the-job training hours and supplemental instruction hours are accumulated.
The California Department of Industrial Relations maintains a database of available apprenticeship programs in the state5. Note: You may need to search multiple occupations (Agriculture, Manufacturing, Operating Engineer, etc.) to see available industrial maintenance technician apprenticeships.
Industrial Maintenance Technician Training Programs
Formal training is not a requirement for all entry-level industrial maintenance positions, but many employers do demand some form of post-secondary schooling. Successfully completing an industrial maintenance training program can also help you stand out in a crowded field, especially for higher-paying and more in-demand roles in the field. At a minimum, industrial maintenance training will provide you with the basic knowledge, skills and abilities employers are looking for in entry-level and apprentice technicians.
SJVC’s Industrial Maintenance Technology program, for example, provides hands-on training with industry-standard systems, equipment, tools and software. Industrial Maintenance Technology students are exposed to the basic principles, applications, concepts and functions of industrial maintenance such as:
- The elements and applications of electricity and energy sources developed for commercial and manufacturing use
- The operation, maintenance, safety and troubleshooting of machinery, industrial bearings, industrial drive gears and gear systems, coupling devices, etc.
- The installation, operation and troubleshooting of programmable logic controllers (PLCs), specifically Allen Bradley equipment and the RSLogix PLC language, both of which are predominately used within the manufacturing industry
With SJVC’s hands-on approach to industrial maintenance technician training, graduates are qualified to go right to work in a variety of commercial and manufacturing settings. That’s why 91% of graduates from SJVC’s Industrial Maintenance Technology Certificate Program (Modesto campus, 2017) were employed in the field.6
Kickstart Your Career in Industrial Maintenance!
If you’re ready to start a new career, San Joaquin Valley College can help you learn and master the basic skills needed to work in the industrial maintenance sector. Earn a Certificate of Completion in approximately seven months, or an Associate of Science degree in approximately 14 months. SJVC’s Industrial Maintenance Technology program is available at campuses in Bakersfield, Modesto, Ontario and Visalia.
We also offer other programs for industrial-minded job seekers, including Aviation Maintenance Technology, Construction Management, Electrical Technology and HVAC-R. Contact us online or call 866-544-7898 to learn more about our Industrial Maintenance Technology program or any other industrial training program.
Sources:
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- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/industrial-machinery-mechanics-and-maintenance-workers-and-millwrights.htm#tab-5
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes499041.htm#st
- https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/49-9041.00
- https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip
- https://www.dir.ca.gov/databases/das/aigstart.asp
- https://static.sjvc.edu/_spfs/modesto/SPF0703_MOD_IMT_C.pdf
