Career Description
Maintenance machinists clean, oil, and maintain the machine tools. They also repair or make new parts for existing machinery. Skilled manufacturing maintenance technicians are needed to keep the complex industrial machinery of today’s manufacturing facilities running smoothly. Their work keeps factories productive and makes sure that the final product is perfect. Their work assures that machine operators are safe. A manufacturing maintenance technician is often responsible for performing entry-level to complex troubleshooting and repair techniques on manufacturing equipment and electrical/electronic or mechanical systems. As a technician you will be responsible for analyzing, troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing complex equipment. To advance in this career, maintenance machinists should gain proficiency with basic mechanical/hydraulic and pneumatic concepts related to machine tools.

Program Information
The Manufacturing Maintenance Technician Diploma Program at Central Lakes College provides a comprehensive foundation to get you started as a technician suited to work in any industrial plant where precision, efficiency, and safety are valued. You will learn skills in electronics, mechanical systems, and troubleshooting to become qualified to repair and maintain computerized equipment. Instruction takes place in a well-equipped shop for a hands-on, practical experience. The diploma you earn from CLC will signify your preparation for career opportunities.

Program Learning Outcomes
Select correct testing equipment for trouble shooting machine malfunctions.
Use and understand preventive maintenance procedures.
Use and understand predictive maintenance procedures.
Trouble shoot complex electrical control circuits and devices.
Trouble shoot complex mechanical systems.

Accreditation
The Machine Tool Technology Program at Central Lakes College received official designation as a National Institute for Metalworking Skills Accredited Training in 2002.

Employment Opportunities
Every industrial plant employs manufacturing maintenance technicians. Around the world, industries need skilled maintenance technicians to help factories run better and stay competitive in our global economy. A CLC graduate with strong mechanical and electrical skills and experience with programmable logic controls (PLC) is in demand by international manufacturers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says a “serious lack of skilled labor” will grow to 14 million by 2015. Now is the time to be in such a reduced – and valued – labor pool.

Career Titles
Some common career titles in this field include manufacturing maintenance technician, development mechanic, experimental and electrical mechanic, maintenance machinist, maintenance specialist, maintenance technician, and trouble shooter.

Manufacturing Maintenance Technician Diploma Program Planning Form (pdf)