What Does an Industrial Maintenance Technician Do?

If you’re still in high school, taking classes in shop mathematics and computer programming if they are available. After you earn your diploma or equivalent, you’re ready for training.

Training can take several forms. Some students who want to become technicians or mechanics earn a certificate or associate degree from a technical school or community college. Employers are increasingly looking for these credentials in job candidates. Some employers prefer to train entry-level technicians through an internship or supervised training. This on-the-job training is often taught by trainers from equipment manufacturers.

New employees should expect to get at least one year of on-the-job training to become technicians or mechanics. Millwrights and some service engineers will train for much longer in an apprenticeship, an earn and learn opportunity for those over the age of 18. 

All industrial maintenance programs will include courses in blueprint reading, hand tool techniques, safety protocols, machine troubleshooting, welding, bearing and seal types, power transmission components, hydraulics, pneumatic systems and computer programming basics. 

Training is highly valued in this career. If you find the right workplace, there will be opportunities to advance and learn new skills. 

Certificates can take from several months to a year. An associate degree takes two years, and an apprenticeship or internship may last one to several years. (Millwrights training lasts the longest. Millwright apprenticeships typically take three or four years, during which time the apprentice earns a paycheck.) Continuing education is ongoing.

The majority of jobs for technicians and mechanics are in manufacturing, but there are also opportunities in energy, construction and food production facilities.

It’s strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts overall employment of industrial maintenance technicians — including industrial mechanics and millwrights — to grow 14%. That works out to about 53,200 job openings each year from 2021 to 2031. Few jobs can match that level of opportunity.

Texas, California and Michigan employ the most industrial maintenance technicians and mechanics, but several other states are not far behind.

• Good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity
• Excellent troubleshooting skills
• Good at analyzing information and choosing the best course of action
• Excellent mechanical skills
• Attention to detail
• Proactive
• Good time management skills
• Safety-conscious