
Manufacturing
It’s hard to imagine that a cookie factory and an airport luggage facility would have openings for a similar position, but they do. Industrial machinery mechanics, also called industrial maintenance technicians, are the people who repair and maintain equipment in commercial and industrial facilities.
Because these technicians operate on so many different types of machines, their skill sets must be equally diverse, often including welding, electrical wiring and rebuilding equipment. Those with a working knowledge of specialty areas like hydraulics are at an advantage. Millwrights are maintenance technicians who become experts in specific large industrial equipment and move them, piece by piece, to another location.

- Clean, lubricate and maintain equipment and machinery
- Use technical manuals and diagnostic equipment to assess why machines are not working
- Repair machinery
- Weld and cut metal parts
- Be proficient with electronics
- Adhere to all safety requirements
Employers typically require a high school diploma or equivalent for an entry-level position. Some positions require an associate degree. New workers should expect to get about one year of on-the-job training to become technicians while millwrights will train for up to four years.
- Have good hand-eye coordination
- Possess good mechanical skills
- Are detail-oriented
- Are good at problem-solving