Career Facts for Heavy Equipment Repairer
Where are heavy equipment repair technicians employed?
Employers can not
always find enough qualified men and women to maintain their fleet. If you are
interested in this type of career,
Faster employment growth is expected for mobile heavy equipment technician and farm equipment technicians. Increasing numbers of heavy duty and mobile equipment service technicians will be required to support growth in the construction industry, equipment dealers, and rental and leasing companies. Because of the nature of construction activity, demand for service technicians follows the Nation’s economic cycle. As the economy expands, construction activity increases, resulting in the use of more mobile heavy equipment to grade construction sites, excavate basements, and lay water and sewer lines. The increased use of such equipment increases the need for periodic service and repair.
In addition, the construction and repair of highways and
bridges requires more technicians to service equipment. As equipment
becomes more complicated, repairs increasingly must be made by specially trained
technicians. Job openings for farm equipment mechanics are
expected to rise mostly because of replacement needs. Construction and
mining are particularly sensitive to changes in the level of economic activity;
therefore, heavy and mobile equipment may be idled during downturns. In
addition, winter is traditionally the slow season for construction and farming
activity, particularly in cold regions. Few technicians may be needed during
periods when equipment is used less; however, employers usually try to retain
experienced workers. Employers may be reluctant to hire inexperienced workers
during slow periods.
What is the average salary?
In our program, you will learn everything you need to know about repairing heavy equipment to build a career. You will even be assigned your own engine to tear down and rebuild as you complete coursework. The program is practical, hands-on and can lead you into a career starting out at $10-25 an hour. After working hard, gaining five years of experience, and depending on your level of ambition, you could be making as much as $70,000 a year.
What else do I need to know?
Courses are offered
throughout the year. Many evening courses are offered to accommodate your
schedule. Spring semester begins in January, summer semester begins in June and
fall classes begin in August.
Instructors for the
Heavy Equipment Operator program are contracted through AIS Construction
Equipment Corporation at www.aistraining.com. Please call the
Transportation and Engineering Technologies Department Office at
(517) 267-6406 for
specific questions regarding instruction.
