Applied Physical Science: An introduction to the basics of physical sciences to become familiar with Ohm’s Law, Watt’s Law and the relationship between current, voltage and resistance.
AD/DC Circuits: Learn the basics of series, parallel and combination circuits and advanced concepts such as mathematical circuit analysis.Additionally, electricians may receive specialized training in elevators, fire / security alarm systems, soldering, cranes, etc.
Apprentices work under the close supervision of experienced electricians by first learning to drill holes, run conduit, test wiring, and install outlets and switches. They will also learn how to draw diagrams of electrical systems. Ultimately, the goal is to practice and master all tasks required by electricians.
Some people start taking classroom training before finding an apprenticeship program by attending public or private vocational technical schools. Employers like to hire students who have completed these programs and usually start them at a higher level than those without training.
Some people become electricians by first working as helpers, assisting electricians to get materials, setup job sites and completing nonelectrical work before they are able to enter an apprenticeship program.
Electricians usually continue to take classes throughout their career because of changes in the National Electric Code, to complete regular safety program, equipment specific training, etc. Classes on topics such as telephone, video, data, alternative energy systems (solar, wind) are increasingly given because they are becoming more prevalent.
License
Most states and local government require electricians to be licensed, however, licensing requirement vary by state. Electricians must pass an exam that tests their knowledge of electrical theory, local/state electric and building codes and the National Electrical Code.
Electrical contractors who complete work for the public, as opposed to working for electrical contractors, often need a special license. In some states, electrical contractors must be certified as master electricians. Most states require that master electricians have a minimum of 7 years of experience as an electrician or have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field.
Being an electrician is a very physical job. They must have good eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, sense of balance and by physically fit. Electricians cannot be color blind because it is necessary that they be able to identify electrical wires by color.
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:
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.
]]>Becoming Certified
Most Aircraft Mechanics are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which requires mechanics to be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, be fluent in English and have the required technical skills. Most Aircraft Mechanics learn their technical skills from 1 of the 170 FAA certified Aviation Maintenance Technical School.
By law, the FAA requires that certified maintenance mechanic schools offer students a minimum of 1,900 class hours. The training programs last 12 to 24 months providing tools and equipment used on the job. Approximately, 1/3 of training programs award 2-year and 4-year degrees in aviation maintenance management, aviation technology and avionics.
Due to advances in aircraft maintenance technology, a strong background in computers and electronics is extremely important to get and keep work in this field. Aircraft trade schools are placing more importance on technologies such as aviation electronics, turbine engines and composite materials.
Some aircraft mechanics get on the job training by working closely with experienced mechanics. However, their work must be supervised and documented by certified mechanics until they become FAA certified.
All maintenance work performed on aircrafts must be performed by certified aircraft mechanics or under the close supervision of a certified mechanic. As a result, most airlines will only hire aircraft mechanics who are FAA certified. The FAA offer certifications for powerplant and airframe mechanics, however, most airlines prefer to hire aircraft mechanics who are Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certified.
Aircraft maintenance mechanics need a minimum of 18 months relevant work experience before they can apply for an airframe or powerplant certificate and 30 months of relevant work experience working with both airframes and engines for a combined A&P certificate. Completion of a training program at a FAA-certified school may be substituted for work experience requirements.
Applicants must also pass a written, oral and practical test that proves they can do the work authorized by the certificate. Written tests can be takes at one of the many computer testing facilities around the world. The oral and practical tests are given by a Designated Mechanic Examiner of the FAA. All exams must be passed within 24 months to receive certification.
For mechanics to keep their certification valid, they must have current work experience by having at least 1,000 hours of work experience in the past 24 months or take a refresher course. Additionally, mechanics must take a minimum of 16 hours of training every 2 years to keep their certificates current. Many employers of aircraft mechanics will offer training, usually facilitatd by outside contractors.
FAA certified airframe mechanics are allowed to work on avionics equipment but avionic technician who have military experience or have worked for avionic manufacturers are not required to be FAA certified. Avionics technicians who work on communications equipment must have a restricted radio-telephone operator license from the Federal Communications Commission.
Building Maintenance Technicians are the eyes and ears of the building. If something major needs fixing, they are the ones to notify management of their concerns.
Some tasks that Maintenance Technicians are responsible for includes:
Monitor, maintain, troubleshoot and make minor repairs to heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems.Build partitions, make drywall repairs or plaster, fix or paint roofs, doors, floors, windows, woodwork, and other parts of building structures.
Reading / checking blueprints, repair manuals, and parts catalogs to trouble shoot and fix problems.
Perform routine preventive maintenance (PM) to ensure machines run smoothly, building systems operate efficiently, and the physical condition of buildings do not deteriorate.
Performing dangerous tasks that may lead to electrical shock, cuts, falls, burns, and bruises. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics building (general) maintenance workers experienced a work-related injury and illness rate much higher than the national average.
Flexible work schedule requiring work on evenings, nights, weekend shifts and being on call for emergency repairs.
Complete checklists to inspect drives, motors, and belts, check fluid levels, replace filters, and perform other maintenance actions.
Generate maintenance records of repairs and preventative work.
Ensure building is secure by monitoring building security system and ensuring doors are locked after operating hours.
Move heavy equipment, supplies, or office furniture manually or by hand trucks.
Removal of snow from driveways, parking areas or sidewalks using snow plows / blowers or snow shovels, or spread snow melting chemicals.
Mow lawn and trim shrubbery using mowers and hand held power trimmers and clear debris from grounds.
Safely drive cars, vans, industrial trucks required to perform job, travel or transport equipment.
Manage outside contractors who work in building such as an elevator and boiler inspector.
Spray insecticides or fumigants to prevent rodent / insect infestation.
Ensure procedures are followed when using chemical cleaners and power equipment to prevent damage to floors and fixtures.
Ensure specifications are followed when mixing water and detergents or acids in containers to prepare cleaning solutions.
Work in different environments (cold, hot, dusty, dirty) and traveling to different buildings.
]]>American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
American Petroleum Institute (API)
American Productivity and Quality Center (APQC)
American Society for Testing and Materials
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Association for Facilities Engineering
Canadian Machinery Vibration Association
Equipment Manufacturers Institute
European Federation of National Maintenance Societies
Fluid Power Distributors Association
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML)
InterNational Electrical Testing Association
ISA (Instrumentation, Systems & Automation Society)
Lubrication Management Technology Magazine
Machinery Information Management Open Systems Alliance (MIMOSA)
Machinery Lubrication Magazine
Maintenance Engineering Society of Australia, Inc.
Maintenance Resources from TWI Press
Maintenance Technology Magazine
Manufacturing Skills Standards Council
National Reliability Engineering Center
Penn State University Reliability Home Page
Practicing Oil Analysis Magazine
Society for Automotive Engineers
Society for Machinery Failure Prevention Technology
Society of Manufacturing Engineers
Society of Reliability Engineers (SRE)
Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers
University of Maryland - Reliability Engineering Program
University of Tennessee - Maintenance & Reliability Center
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| Industry | Median Hourly Wages |
| Local government | $17.11 |
| Elementary and secondary schools | $ 6.86 |
| Activities related to real estate | $14.41 |
| Lessors of real estate | $13.91 |
| Traveler accommodation | $12.65 |
Approximately 15% of general buidling maintenance workers are members of unions, including the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees and the United Auto Workers.
]]>The median hourly wages in industries employing the largest numbers of general building maintenance workers in May 2008 is shown below:
| Industry | Median Hourly Wages |
| Scheduled air transportation | $27.96 |
| Federal Executive Branch | $24.98 |
| Aerospace product and parts manufacturing | $24.47 |
| Nonscheduled air transportation | $24.27 |
| Support activities for air transportation | $20.95 |
The median hourly wages of avionics technicians were about $23.71 in May 2008. The middle 50% earned between $20.10 and $28.02, the lowest 10% earned less than $16.45, and the highest 10% earned more than $30.87.
Aircraft Mechanics working on jets for the major airlines normally earn more than those working on other aircraft. Aircraft Mechanics who graduate from an aviation maintenance school are usually offered higher starting salaries than mechanics who are trained in the Armed Forces or on the job. One perk airline mechanics enjoy is getting reduced fares for themselves and their immediate families on their own airline (employer) and even other airlines.
About 30% of aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and service technicians union members or covered by union agreements. The main unions are the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and the Transport Workers Union of America. Some mechanics are members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Additionally, contributing to favorable future aircraft mechanic job opportunities is the fact that fewer students are entering technical schools to learn maintenance trades. Students who have the ability to work in maintenance are going to college to study computer technology or work in maintenance occupations with better working conditions. If this trend continues, the supply of trained aircraft mechanics will not keep pace with the needs of the air transportation industry.
Job opportunities will continue to be best at regional and commuter airlines, at FAA repair stations and in general aviation. Regional and commuter airlines are the fast growth segment of the airline industry, however, wages at these airlines are lower than those of the major airlines, so they attract less job applicants. Additionally, jobs will become available because experience aircraft mechanics will leave to work for the major airlines. There is more competition for jobs at the major airlines because of the higher wages and travel benefits.
In the future, job opportunities in the airline industry are better than in the past and for applicants with experience and an Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification. Aircraft mechanics, who are experienced with technological advances in composite materials, electronics, etc., are in big demand. Finally, mechanics willing to relocate to rural areas will have better job opportunities.
| Industry | Median Hourly Wages |
| Motor vehicle parts manufacturing | $24.04 |
| Machinery, equipment, and supplies merchant wholesalers | $20.17 |
| Plastics product manufacturing | $20.05 |
| Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment (except automotive and electronic) repair and maintenance | $18.65 |
| Animal slaughtering and processing | $16.65 |
In 2008, about 19% of maintenance mechanics were members of unions.
]]>Electricians usually focus on maintenance or construction, however many will do both. An electrician may specialize in construction by installing wiring systems in plants, businesses or new homes; or in maintenance by fixing, installing, maintaining and upgrading existing electrical systems and electrical equipment. Electricians must follow State and Local Building codes and the National Electrical Code when working.
Electricians must know how to read blueprints and technical drawings to determine location of circuits, panel boards, load centers, outlet and many other electrical components. They must then be able to determine where all the wires and components will be installed and then install and connect the wires to other electrical components and systems which may include circuit breakers, outlets, transformers, sub-stations, disconnects, etc. They must be able to run conduit and wire inside the conduit from power sources to equipment.
Electricians use various hand tools to install wiring and electrical components such as conduit benders, pliers, hacksaws, screwdrivers, wire strippers and power tools such as saws and drills. They all use electrical measuring devices such as voltmeters, ammeters, ohmmeters, harmonic testers and other equipment to test connection and ensure safety and compatibility of components.
Maintenance electricians are responsible for repairing and replacing electric and electronic equipment when they malfunction. They must be able to quickly troubleshoot and make repairs to minimize plant downtime which can be costly. They may have to replace items such as fuses, switches, circuit breakers, wire and electrical components to fix problems.
Maintenance electricians are also responsible to conduct preventative maintenance by periodically inspecting electrical equipment to insure they are operating properly and to correct problems before a breakdown occurs.
Their work varies depending on where they work. They may focus on residential work to perform a variety of electrical work for homeowners such as rewiring a home, replacing an old fuse box with a new circuit breaker, install new lighting or electric household items such as a ceiling fan.
Maintenance electricians in large manufacturing facilities usually do more complex maintenance work. They are responsible for installing, maintaining and repairing motors, generators, transformers, and machine tool and robot electronic controllers. They will also work with engineers to install and fix complex equipment.
Work Environment
Electricians will work in a variety of environments which includes plants, homes, businesses and construction sites. There maybe bending, standing, stooping and kneeling for long periods of time. There also maybe strenuous work such heavy lifting, climbing ladders with equipment, bending conduit and pulling wire. Electricians always risk injury from electrical shocks, cuts, falls, bruises and must follow strict safety procedures to avoid injuries. They may work in dirty, noisy, wet, dry, hot, cold, dusty, dark work environments. They may have to work in pits, basements, climb poles and ladders and work in lifts.
Per the U.S. Labor Department, full time electricians experience work-related injuries and illnesses rates are higher than the national average.
Many electricians work 40 hours per week and many work overtime work when available. Maintenance electricians may work night, weekends, and be on call to report to the worksite if needed. They may work periodic extended overtime during scheduled maintenance, major installations or retooling periods. Plants operating 24 hours per day may employ maintenance electricians on all 3 shifts.
The median hourly wages for the largest industries employing electricians as follows:
| Industry | Median Hourly Wages |
| Electric power generation, transmission and distribution | $28.15 |
| Local government | $25.66 |
| Nonresidential building construction | $22.21 |
| Building equipment contractors | $21.72 |
| Employment services | $18.32 |
Apprentices pay start at 30% to 50% of a fully trained electrician depending on experience. As apprentices become more skilled, their pay will periodically increase.
Approximately 32% of electricians are members of the following unions:
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
- International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine, and Furniture Workers
- International Association of Machinists and - Aerospace Workers
International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft and Agricultural Implement Workers of America
-United Steelworkers of America
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