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Electrician vs Maintenance Technician
Although there is some overlap between the two jobs in terms of skills and responsibilities, they are distinctly different roles.
What Does an Electrician Do
An electrician is responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems and fixtures in homes, businesses, factories, and buildings under construction.
They inspect wiring, circuit breakers, transformers, and other electrical components to identify and troubleshoot problems. Electricians are also responsible for complying with building codes and regulations to ensure the safety and efficiency of different electrical systems.
An electrician’s job can be physically demanding and involve potentially hazardous materials and conditions.
What Does a Maintenance Technician Do
A maintenance technician is responsible for the smooth functioning of machinery, equipment, and infrastructure in various industries, businesses, and public environments.
They perform regular inspections on different equipment and systems, troubleshoot mechanical and electrical issues, repair broken or faulty components, and ensure safety and efficiency in industrial, corporate, and residential settings. Maintenance technicians are key to preventing downtimes and disruptions.
They often work in teams to provide on-call support and maintain detailed records of their tasks.
Why Electricians Make Great Maintenance Technicians
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 15% growth in the demand for maintenance technicians and related roles between 2023 and 2033.
That translates to over 80,000 new jobs in ten years.
The number of new maintenance technicians joining the workforce each year is not nearly enough to meet this surge in demand. That gap can only be filled by existing workers in other trades shifting careers to take on maintenance technician roles.
With that in mind, here are five reasons why electricians make excellent maintenance technicians.
1. Extensive Technical Knowledge
Electricians undergo extensive training across a broad range of technical disciplines that are uniquely relevant to the role of a maintenance technician.
For instance, their understanding of electrical systems, circuits, and controls is directly applicable to modern maintenance work.
Today’s industries are heavily reliant on complex machinery, robots, and other automated systems that are powered by advanced electrical systems and components. Electricians already possess many of the skills and much of the knowledge necessary to maintain, diagnose, and repair such components.
Familiarity with reading blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals is another reason why electricians make good maintenance technicians.
2. Strong Problem-Solving Skills
Electricians have a methodical approach to diagnosing problems and identifying root causes. As a result, they are accustomed to working in high-pressure environments that require quick thinking, advanced problem-solving skills, and the ability to implement effective solutions.
Those happen to be key skills for maintenance technicians as well.
Whether it’s restoring power during an outage or fixing a critical piece of equipment on the factory floor, electricians are uniquely adapted to thinking on their feet and making quick yet effective decisions.
This problem-solving mindset is invaluable in maintenance technician roles, where minimizing downtime is always a top priority.
3. Focus on Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance is critical to the safe and effective functioning of machinery, equipment, and systems across modern industrial, manufacturing, and other settings.
Electricians are trained to conduct routine inspections and maintenance to prevent breakdowns, ensure safety, and avoid costly repairs and outages. They are skilled at identifying early signs of wear and tear and implementing measures to extend the lifespan of advanced machinery and equipment.
Their attention to detail and ability to identify and address issues before they escalate make them uniquely qualified to maintain the overall reliability and productivity of facilities under their supervision.
