If you're contemplating a new career path, you may be wondering whether there are any options that can allow you to step into an interesting, adequately-paid job without requiring you to go back to college. For those who are mechanically inclined, who enjoy the challenges of a diverse and fast-paced working environment and who aren't keen on the idea of sitting in a classroom for the next two to four years (or longer), facility maintenance training and certification may be the right path. Read on to learn more about what a facility maintenance job entails to see whether this might be the perfect choice for you.
What do facility maintenance workers do?
Businesses work best when their employees are able to focus on the products or services they offer. This can be tough when building and maintenance issues interrupt their workday and impact their productivity. Facility maintenance workers are responsible for keeping buildings' systems in peak condition by performing routine maintenance and repairing problems as they arise. Maintenance workers can handle everything from plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work to painting, pruning bushes and mowing grass, and setting up internet and phone access. By outsourcing these jobs to a few dedicated maintenance team members, employees are able to focus on what they do best without the distraction of a flickering fluorescent bulb or a freezing workspace.
What type of training do you need for this position?
Sometimes, especially if you have some prior HVAC or other vocational training, you may be able to walk onto a facility maintenance job or secure an apprenticeship position without any extra training. But if you think you need a bit more experience before you jump in, you may want to investigate a facility maintenance certification program. These short courses can cover the nuts and bolts of a variety of duties that are common to facility maintenance workers, giving you the training and confidence you need to tackle everything from blown fuses to overwhelmed sump pumps or overflowing toilets.
Once you've been on the job for a while, you may discover that you have a special aptitude for a certain type of work, whether plumbing, HVAC, painting, or something else. If this is the case, focusing on this specialty and obtaining relevant certifications can make you even more employable, helping you parlay your facility maintenance experience into a job as an apprentice plumber, HVAC technician, or other skilled laborer.
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