Maintenance: What's To Learn?

Posted on: 25 August 2019

A lot of people think that there is nothing you need to learn about maintenance. They do not understand why facilities maintenance training is an actual trade school course of learning, nor do they understand why you would want or need a certificate or degree in the subject. To shed some light on what this program is really like, and how not so simple this career path is, the following is provided. 

Maintenance Is Not Just Cleaning

Anyone can spray a cleaner and wipe with a rag or paper towel, but that is not what full maintenance is. When you are hired to do maintenance in a store, a school, or a hospital, you have to know everything there is to know about the chemicals you are using, what those chemicals can do to your skin, nasal passages, lungs, and body. You have to know how to use floor strippers, floor buffer machines, and floor waxing machines. You have to know how to fix plumbing problems in restrooms, correct mechanical issues with boilers and heating and cooling equipment, and fix any other appliances in the building. That is a lot to know, and not everyone knows it, which is why they go to a trade school for it. 

The Trade School Course

Some trade schools offer a three-month training course for maintenance. Others offer a one-year certificate program where participants take up to twelve credits to complete the maintenance certificate. Whichever path someone chooses, he/she will learn how to operate all of the related equipment, repair various building systems, and safe chemical handling. The certificate is desirable for those going into maintenance as a career because it will give them a leg up over competition during the interview and hiring process. It is the same with any career path; the more education and training you have, the more likely you are to be hired for the job. 

Enrolling vs. Working

Could you get hired in maintenance and work instead of enrolling in such a course at a trade school? Sure you could, but your work duties would be limited, and so would your pay. When you enroll in the training course, you are learning more and working towards a certification that will allow you to earn more money and have more job duties when you are finally hired. On-the-job training can come later when you already have the basics down. 

To learn more, contact your local facilities maintenance training professionals. 

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