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1 - Aircraft / Aviation Maintenance
2 - Building Maintenance
3 - Electrical Maintenance
4 - Mechanical Maintenance
5 - External Resources
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Introduction to Maintenance
Training
If
you like to work with your hands, fix things that are
complex, like technology, don't mind getting dirty and don't
mind working in hostile environments (hot, cold, dusty,
etc.) then becoming a Maintenance Mechanic may be for you.
There are many types of maintenance mechanics which
includes:
- Mechanical Maintenance
- Electrical Maintenance
- Building Maintenance
- Helicopter Maintenance
- Aircraft/Aviation Maintenance
- Computer Maintenance
- Swimming Pool Maintenance
Most Maintenance Mechanics work in manufacturing
environments such as automotive plants, where a typical
day involves repairing, installing, and maintaining
equipment with most of the time spent on repairing equipment
to keep the manufacturing process running. Equipment uptime
is the most vital part of any manufacturing environment so
maintenance mechanics are critical to any manufacturing
facility.
Most manufacturing plants classify mechanics as mechanics or
electricians. However, in certain industries such as steel
production, maintenance personal maybe classified as pipe
fitters or masons.
Maintenance Mechanics are the life-line in manufacturing.
They are the front line problem solvers to quickly solve
problems to ensure production schedules are met. In
Just-In-Time (JIT) facilities where inventory is kept low to
reduce operating expenses, it is vital that the plant keeps running.
If the plant cannot meet production schedules it may shut
customer plants down which is down stream the process.
For example a seating plant, if shut down; will stop an
entire car assembly plant which is very expensive for the
auto plant. As a result, having a well trained effective
maintenance staff is vital to any manufacturing facility.
Training
There are 2 ways to obtain the required post-secondary
training to become a maintenance mechanic.
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The first is to attend a community career college
after completing high school. Maintenance programs in
community colleges offer a combination of hands on
training with text book exercises.
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The second is to receive training as part of an
apprenticeship program where you work alongside an
experienced mechanic who trains you to complete specific
tasks while you take courses at night or weekends to
obtain a license or certificate. Requirements to enter
an apprenticeship program is usually less stringent than
a community college, however, many employers only accept
apprentices with high school diplomas.
Maintenance Training Cost Maintenance training
cost attending a community college for 2 years for an
Associates Degree costs about $2,500 per semester. If
you are fortunate enough to get into an apprentice program,
it may cost you nothing or very little.
Expected Salary Depending on industry, state, and
job classifications, entry level maintenance mechanics can
expect to make $14 to $20+ per hour plus benefits. Experienced
maintenance mechanic (over 5 years) can make over $30/hour.
Experienced helicopter mechanics earn the most with an
average salary of $144,000/year.
Below is a chart of average salaries for
maintenance mechanics.
Source: Indeed.com
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