Maintenance Technician Career Guide

Maintenance Technicians, general maintenance workers, trades helpers and laborers participate in facility maintenance and assist tradesmen on construction sites. These workers, have a variety of skills in the maintenance and repair of facilities. The work of a maintenance technician is diverse and constantly changing. This career field is in high demand and employers are constantly looking to hire workers that are willing to learn an exciting and challenging career.

A general maintenance worker is replacing a bad light bulb.

Job that is in demand
The construction and facility maintenance industry is constantly growing. At the same time many workers are beginning to retire. Therefore, there are many great career opportunities for people interested in the construction and facility maintenance field.
Interesting and Challenging
General maintenance workers are always learning new skills and experiencing different skilled trades work activities. The work is very diverse and constantly changing.
No College Degree Required
You do not need an expensive college degree to work as a maintenance technician or construction laborer. Many of these workers have acquired their training, while working on the job with an employer.

Where you can work as a Maintenance Technician and job responsibilities

Maintenance Department

Hospitals, Public Schools, University's, large corporations and facilities typically will employ an in-house Maintenance Department. Individuals with skills in the maintenance of heating and cooling equipment, lighting maintenance, basic plumbing and electrical repair can find jobs within these organizations. These workers get to learn their buildings and equipment, typically have steady year round work and get to go home at the same time every day.

Construction-Trades Helper/Laborer

General maintenance workers, trades helpers and laborers assist in the construction of commercial and industrial facilities. These workers may perform job site cleaning, assist in setting up equipment, move ladders and scaffolding, pick up materials, clean and maintain tools and perform minor skilled trades work. These workers typically travel frequently to various job sites and may work significant overtime throughout the year.

Facility Maintenance Contractor

Facility maintenance companies perform a wide variety of maintenance services for their customers. These services may involve repairing sinks, toilets, changing light bulbs, ballasts, minor electrical repair, repairing and painting walls, assembling and moving furniture and other various facility maintenance tasks. Some commercial and residential property owners, may employ facility maintenance companies to maintain and clean their facilities.

Job Responsibilities

General maintenance technicians, trades helpers and laborers assist in the cleaning and maintenance of various job sites and facilities. These workers have skills in minor electrical, plumbing and HVAC repair and maintenance. They repair and paint drywall, assemble furniture, maintain equipment and tools and may assist various tradesmen in more complex facility repair activities. General maintenance workers can work in one facility or various job sites. These workers may perform work outdoors, climb ladders, work on roofs, confined spaces, lift heavy objects, may work with hazardous materials and operate various tools and equipment. Working as a general maintenance worker can be a great way for an entry level worker to get started in the skilled trades and construction field.

Career Progression Idea's

Here are some career progression idea's for maintenance workers that have several years of experience and training.

Management

General maintenance technicians can learn valuable skills throughout their career that can help them advance to the position of Facility manager/Supervisor. Facility managers/Supervisors typically lead facility maintenance workers in the safe and efficient maintenance and repair of large facilities. They are knowledgeable in building codes, OSHA regulations, industry practices and workforce leadership.

Skilled Tradesmen

General maintenance workers, trades helpers and laborers can learn important skills and experience different skilled trades work activities that can help them progress into a skilled trades career. Furthermore, these maintenance workers frequently interact with other skilled trades personnel that may provide job leads and assistance in helping them to advance into a skilled trades career. Therefore, working as a general maintenance worker can be a great way for an entry level worker to get started in the skilled trades and construction field.

Company Owner

How much money you can make as a Maintenance Technician and how to get started

Compensation

A great website to get an idea of how much money you could possibly make as a general maintenance worker, trades helper or laborer is The Bureau of Labor Statistics. It provides some excellent compensation information for various occupations throughout the United States.

The Occupational Employment Statistics program provides compensation information for various occupations.

Click here for more information on General Maintenance workers compensation- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes499071.htm

Click here for more information on Trades helpers and laborers compensation- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes472061.htm

On the Job Training/Community College/Trade School

General maintenance workers, trades helpers and laborers typically do not have extensive training in the skilled trades or construction field. These workers typically need a variety of skills to perform general maintenance in commercial facilities. For example, these skills may include painting, drywall repair, use of various hand tools, working on scaffolding and minor repair of plumbing, HVAC and electrical equipment. Many of these workers, may learn these skills while working on the job. However, completing mechanical, electrical or welding classes certainly can help in getting a general maintenance, trades helper or laborer job.

In short, Community Colleges and trade schools are a great way to get started in the skilled trades, construction and facility maintenance field. Its important to research the quality of training and how successful previous students have been at finding and retaining jobs. Some Community Colleges and trade Schools, may have programs to connect students with employers. Talk to local skilled trades and facility maintenance contractors on what their experience has been with students that have completed programs through these schools.

Military

There are many skilled trades and construction occupations throughout the United States Armed Forces. These occupations will certainly help develop important skills that are relevant to the facility maintenance career field. Each military branch has personnel that are highly trained to service, maintain and install anything that exist on a military base. Enlisted members of the Armed Forces, complete a basic training course then they must complete additional training before they begin working in their occupation. Members of the Armed Forces get 30 days of vacation each year, food and housing, medical, dental and many other important benefits. Educational benefits are available during your enlistment period and upon completion. Joining the military can be a great way to learn a skilled trades or construction occupation.

Always contact a Military Recruiter to learn more detailed information on job opportunities, training, benefits and other important information for employment within the Armed Forces.

Explore our career resources for other Skilled Trades jobs that are in demand today

The Trades are in demand and hiring today! View our career resources for other skilled trade careers and learn how to get started in a rewarding skilled trade job. Learn what trades are most in demand today, how to get started and how much money you can make in the trades. It's a great time to Go Skilled Trades!

Skilled Trades Career Resources

Many Skilled Tradesmen have acquired their training through an apprenticeship program, trade school, the military or while working on the job. You do not need an expensive college degree to work in the Skilled Trades, facility maintenance or Construction field.

No College Degree Required

You do not need an expensive college degree to work in the skilled trades field. Many skilled tradesmen today, have acquired their training through apprenticeships, military, trade schools or working on the job.

No Expensive Student Loans

The average college student today graduates with a significant amount of debt due to their expensive student loans. On the other hand, an apprentice gets paid while completing their training program.

Great Rewarding Careers

There are many Skilled Trades and Construction career opportunities available today. Employers are constantly looking for workers with a good work ethic and the ability to learn new skills.