What does a Maintenance Technician do?
Some Maintenance Technicians have skills as Mechanical Maintenance Technicians to work on factory machinery. Others specialise in building systems such as heating or ventilation. Maintenance Technicians oversee the upkeep of a specific site. They replace fuses, fit furniture or install electrical items. Maintenance Technicians maintain a safe working environment, completing routine safety checks and responding to emergencies such as power outages and damage to buildings. There are Specialist Maintenance Technicians, such as Engineering, Transport and Utilities Maintenance and Fleet Maintenance Technicians, who specialise in automotive maintenance, ensuring that vehicles are roadworthy.
Maintenance Technician skills and qualifications
A successful Maintenance Technician will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications, these include:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Troubleshooting skills
- Physical strength to lift heavy loads
- Ability to read technical drawings, manuals and technical specifications
- Interpersonal skills
- Customer service skills
Maintenance Technician experience requirements
Many Maintenance Technicians complete apprenticeships that allow them to gain experience and learn practical skills. Experience working in a maintenance role is an advantage as is any role involving maintenance tasks. Candidates who have previously had customer-facing roles tend to have a sound understanding of their clients.
Maintenance Technicians need experience working with their hands. They must know how to collaborate with others to ensure that tasks are completed on time and within a budget. Experience of planning works, estimating the resources required and sourcing suppliers is an advantage.
Maintenance Technician education and training requirements
While prospective Maintenance Technicians may begin their career by obtaining a GCSE or equivalent, many employers prefer candidates who have completed a degree in facilities maintenance, building maintenance technology or a similar field. Much of the training for a Maintenance Technician position takes place on-the-job where they work under a more experienced Maintenance Technician. During this time, candidates learn essential skills such as the proper way to use certain tools and equipment and the most effective and efficient methods for making repairs.
Maintenance Technician salary expectations
According to Indeed salaries, the average salary for a Maintenance Technician is £22,432 per year. Their actual salary depends on the setting in which the role is based, the type of work involved and the level of skills and experience required for the job.
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