Skip to content
Whittle

Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

Also called Maintenance Aide, Maintenance Helper, Mechanic Helper, or Technician's Helper

What Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers do

Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers help installation, maintenance, and repair workers in maintenance, parts replacement, and repair of vehicles, industrial machinery, and electrical and electronic equipment. Perform duties such as furnishing tools, materials, and supplies to other workers; cleaning work area, machines, and tools; and holding materials or tools for other workers.

Who tends to enjoy it

Hands-on

People who like building, fixing, working with tools, machines, plants, or animals.

Organizing

People who like keeping things accurate, orderly, and running on schedule.

Curious

People who like figuring things out, research, science, and solving problems.

What you'd actually do

  • Install or replace machinery, equipment, and new or replacement parts and instruments, using hand or power tools.
  • Examine and test machinery, equipment, components, and parts for defects to ensure proper functioning.
  • Tend and observe equipment and machinery to verify efficient and safe operation.
  • Adjust, connect, or disconnect wiring, piping, tubing, and other parts, using hand or power tools.
  • Clean or lubricate vehicles, machinery, equipment, instruments, tools, work areas, and other objects, using hand tools, power tools, and cleaning equipment.
  • Hold or supply tools, parts, equipment, and supplies for other workers.
  • Diagnose electrical problems and install and rewire electrical components.
  • Disassemble broken or defective equipment to facilitate repair and reassemble equipment when repairs are complete.

A typical day involves

Wearing safety gear Face-to-face with people Indoors without climate control Part of a team Using your hands

Skills that matter most

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Monitoring
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Operation and Control
  • Equipment Maintenance

What you'll need to know

  • Mechanical
  • Building and Construction
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Public Safety and Security
  • English Language

Related careers

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA), occupation 49-9098.00, used under CC BY 4.0 and modified by Whittle. Program links: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. How we build these pages.