How to become a Maintenance Worker, Machinery

Maintenance technicians perform routine maintenance and repairs on machinery. They clean and lubricate equipment, do basic diagnostic checks, monitor the machine's operation, and test broken machine components to see if extensive repairs are required. Maintenance technicians must conform to machine specifications and maintenance schedules. They normally do small repairs, deferring to industrial equipment mechanics for serious repairs. Additionally, they start machinery and examine mechanical activities to ascertain the efficiency and find malfunctions. Additionally, they are accountable for creating mechanical maintenance reports via the collection, analysis, and summarization of data and trends.

• Read technical manuals to understand equipment and controls
• Disassemble machinery and equipment when there is a problem
• Repair or replace broken or malfunctioning components
• Perform tests and run initial batches to make sure that the machine is running smoothly
• Detect minor problems by performing basic diagnostic tests
• Test malfunctioning machinery to determine whether major repairs are needed
• Adjust and calibrate equipment and machinery to optimal specifications
• Clean and lubricate equipment or machinery
• Move machinery and equipment

• Manual dexterity. When handling very small parts, workers must have a steady hand and good hand-eye coordination.
• Mechanical skills. Workers must be able to reassemble large, complex machines after finishing a repair.
• Technical skills. Industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers and millwrights use technical manuals and sophisticated diagnostic equipment to figure out why machines are not working.  
• Troubleshooting skills. Industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers and millwrights must observe and properly diagnose and fix problems that a machine may be having.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.