Read To Find Out About The Prerequisites Of Getting Employed As A General Technician

A general technician is a trained person who can fix almost any equipment. Besides repairing, an Industrial Maintenance Technician can perform a wide range of duties outlined by the employer according to the industry standards. They are versatile in several areas and can perform several tasks throughout the day.

Read on to find out what qualities employers look for in an aspiring General Technician.

The Prerequisites of Getting Hired as a General Technician

For being hired as a general technician, there are some standard prerequisites that you need to fulfill. Employers prefer to hire a technician who meets the standard eligibility criteria rather than those who do not have proven qualifications, skills, or work experience.

General Technician – Qualifications and Certifications

General technicians need to have an educational degree and a proven maintenance experience.

1. Education

Employers usually prefer general technicians who have acquired some formal education. A General Technician with high school graduation has a better chance of employment. However, high school graduation alone is not sufficient.

You need a certificate to prove your credibility and worthiness. The certificate also makes interviewers realize that you have put in the effort required to be an industrial maintenance technician.

2. Vocational Program

It is better to complete a vocational or another post-secondary education program in a specific domain. You can find many 6-months to 1-year programs that provide both theoretical and hands-on practical skills.

Although you can also get a one-month training program, most employers do not consider them sufficient for learning technician’s work. At the end of the program, you are awarded a certificate that you can show to the interviewers to prove your technical prowess and showcase your achievement to the interviewer.

3. Training

Attending a post-secondary education program takes hiring chances a level higher, but still does not make you job-ready. Employers tend to hire individuals who can fit their work environment in no time and do not require much training. For this reason, it is better to have a little on-the-job training.

You can also acquire such training by working under an experienced mechanic or technician as a trainee technician. These will not pay you much, or might even be free, but the knowledge and experience you acquire will prepare you better to getting hired as a general technician.

4. Certification

Certification lends credibility to a general technician’s qualification. Most of these certification programs generally do not require any formal prerequisites; just the minimum educational qualification is enough. Some certifications include training, while others do not.

Candidates must perform well in the exam and pass the exam to obtain the certification. After successfully passing the certification exam, candidates can prove their abilities and dedication to the employers.

Here are some popular certifications for General Technicians:

• Certified Maintenance and Reliability Technician (CMRT) – This certification tests the candidate’s skills in maintenance practices, preventive and predictive maintenance, troubleshooting, and corrective maintenance.
• Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) – This certification mainly focuses on the managerial side of maintenance work. It tests the candidate’s skill in work management, equipment reliability, organization, and leadership.
• IMI Certification: the International Maintenance Institute (IMI) offers certification to maintenance and technician professionals throughout the industry. The level of the certificate varies upon the level of experience.

Additionally, you may also require specific licenses, depending on the government rules and industrial policies.

5. Knowledge

The work of a general technician requires some profound knowledge.

Employers will check your knowledge across various domains to deem you worthy of the job opportunity. Without adequate knowledge, it will be almost impossible to pass the certification exam.

As a general technician, you are in charge of the machines, tools, and equipment. You need to know everything about the working process, problems, troubleshooting techniques, and solutions. Ideally, you must possess knowledge about electricity, carpentry, and computers, while also have strong mechanical, technical, and interpersonal skills, with a value and understanding of workplace safety.

Other Important Skills and Qualities

Having qualifications, knowledge, and certification will prove your worthiness. However, you must also be able to outshine in the interview and later in the work field. Here are a few crucial skills and qualities one must develop:

1. Communication Skill

A general technician has to interact with lots of people throughout the day, including customers. They should be able to communicate nicely with their co-workers and management and deliver a satisfactory interaction.

General technicians who do not have good communication skills will not be able to provide good customer service. Even if a technician has the best technical skill but lacks communication skills, they will always remain left out in the race.

Hence, it is necessary to work on communication skills.

2. Detail Oriented

A general technician should be able to notice every small detail while inspecting or repairing an asset. A slight mistake can cause some severe problems for the industry. The job must be done in detail while making sure no further issues should occur in the system.  

3. Physically Fit

A general technician’s role includes physical work, which provides for lifting and moving heavy parts. Thus, they must be physically fit and be able to do weight lifting without putting much pressure on their body.

4. Organized

A general technician needs to work with different tools and equipment. They must be able to keep everything organized and maintain a safe and sound workspace. At the end of the work, they should keep everything in the right place to easily access it for the next job.

5. Good Hand-Eye Coordination

A general technician should have a steady hand with good hand-eye coordination. As they need to work with different sorts of tools for inspecting, assembling, or dissembling of parts, they cannot bear to have a shaky hand.

6. Troubleshooting

No one can predict technical problems, and some might occur without any notice. This can cause severe downtime to the industry. A general technician should be aware of different troubleshooting techniques.

They must be able to quickly identify and fix complex and complicated malfunctions in the minimum time possible.

Conclusion

The knowledge and skills you require in the early stages as a general technician are limited to handling and repairing equipment, but as you rank up, things will change. As you level up higher, you need to be aware of your job role.

You need to understand that your Maintenance Director job description pertains to you to manage a workforce, and inventory, in addition to the machines, and take important decisions in the blink of an eye.