Guidance.help

Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

Under the title Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, workers help installation, maintenance, and repair workers in maintenance, parts replacement, and repair of vehicles, industrial machinery, and electrical and electronic equipment. One core duty is to install or replace machinery, equipment, and new or replacement parts and instruments, using hand or power tools. The strongest interest signal is Realistic (7.0 of 7), then Conventional (4.0) and Investigative, which gives it the code RCI. Plan on a few months to a year of learning on the job; O*NET labels this some preparation. Strength in troubleshooting, repairing, and operations monitoring helps most here. If you want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, keep it on your list. If you need creative work with room for original expression, it may feel thin.

What they do

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.

Main tasks

  • 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.

Skills

  • Troubleshooting
  • Repairing
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Operation and Control
  • Monitoring
  • Equipment Maintenance

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on troubleshooting and repairing.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.1 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCI takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED). This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • HVAC Helper (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Helper)
  • HVAC Installation Helper (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Installation Helper)
  • Maintenance Aide
  • Maintenance Helper
  • Mechanic Helper

Related careers

Is this your direction?

See how your interests line up with RCI and 906 other careers.

Take the career test

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.