Building Maintenance Training
Building Maintenance Mechanics are required to be jack of all trades to keep buildings, such as hotels, hospital, office building, apartment complexes and college campus fully operational. They are the first responders to any problem that occurs in a building; i.e., leaky faucet, blown fuse, blow light bulb, broken window, moldy carpet, termites, A/C and heat, security system, etc. There is a lot of wear and tear in high traffic buildings so there is always something in need of repair.
Building Maintenance Mechanics usually learn their skills informally on the job by working as helpers for experienced maintenance workers in machinery repair, carpenters, electricians and plumbers. Helpers start out performing simple jobs, like replacing blown light bulbs and fixing leaky faucets and eventually they progress to more difficult task like helping to repair machinery or building walls.
A few months of on-the-job training are required to become qualified, depending on the skills required. Some jobs may require a year or more to become fully qualified. Due to new buildings depending on computers to control their systems (heat, A/C, ventilation, security, boiler, etc.), building maintenance workers will need basic computer skills. On-site Training is normally given by companies who install computer-controlled equipment.
Employers usually prefer to hire high school graduates who have taken courses in mechanical drawing, electricity, blueprint reading, woodworking, science, math and computers. Due to the wide variety of tasks performed by maintenance workers, a technical education is an important part of their training. Many maintenance workers will go on to post secondary trade or vocational schools or community colleges to improve their skills to get promotions or better paying jobs.
Additionally, at times maintenance workers are also project managers for things that are outsourced such as coordinating the yearly inspections or repair of things they don’t fix themselves, such as elevators, escalators, boilers, etc.
Building Maintenance Training may include the following:
Elevators: Elevator repair, preventative maintenance and operation.
Roof Repair: Roof repair and maintenance.
Commercial and Industrial Codes: A basic understanding of the National Electrical Code and city and county ordinances who govern the wiring of commercial, residential and industrial structures.
Commercial and Industrial Wiring: A basic understanding of modern wiring methods and practices for residential and industrial structures.
Blueprint Reading: The understanding of electrical blueprints to install, build and trouble shoot various electrical systems or equipment.
Basic Hand and Power Tools: The proper use of various tools such as screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches, pliers, cutter / strippers, punches, chisels, scribes, handsaws, files, pullers, electric drills, circular saws, hydraulic press, belt sander, etc.
Air Conditioning and Heat: How to repair and maintain air conditioning and heating systems.
License
Licensing requirements for building maintenance workers vary by State and locality. In some cases, building maintenance workers need to be licensed in a specific specialty such as electrical or plumbing work.
Certification
The International Management Institute (IMI) offers certification in 3 levels of competence, focusing on a broad range of topics, which includes blueprints, mathematics, basic electricity, piping systems, landscape maintenance, and troubleshooting skills.
The 3 levels of certifications are:
1 - Certified Maintenance Technician (lowest level)
2 - Certified Maintenance Professional
3 - Certified Maintenance Manager.
To become certified you must several prerequisites and pass a written exam. Obtaining an IMI certification may lead to better opportunities in higher paying industries.
