Maintenance fitter
Maintenance fitters install, service and repair industrial machinery and equipment.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a maintenance fitter, you could:
- install pipework, valves, pumps and motors
- carry out planned maintenance checks
- find and fix faults
- replace worn parts, reset instrument controls and clean machinery
- respond to emergency breakdowns, for example on a factory production line
Working environment
You could work in a factory or at a client's business.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career path and progression
You could do further training while you work to become an engineering technician or site supervisor.
Courses that could help you progress include:
- Level 3 (NVQ) Diploma in Engineering Maintenance
- Level 3 Diploma in Installing Engineering Construction Plant and Systems - Mechanical Fitting
- Level 3 Combined Diploma in Process Engineering Maintenance
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- practical skills for repairing and maintaining equipment
- the ability to work well with your hands
- problem-solving skills
- the ability to work on your own
- the ability to make decisions about tools and equipment
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- thinking and reasoning skills
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
You could take a college course to learn some of the skills you'll need. Useful subjects include:
- Level 2 Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
- Level 2 Diploma in Maintenance Engineering Technology
- Level 3 Certificate in Fabrication and Welding Engineering Technology
- T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing
Entry requirements
You may need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
More Information
You could do an Engineering Fitter Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, or a Maintenance Operations Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More Information
You could start as an engineering operative or trainee craftsperson and do training on the job to become a fitter.
You can apply directly for maintenance fitter jobs if you've got a qualifications and experience in maintenance, such as:
- mechanical engineering
- pipefitting
- welding
- electrical engineering
Registration
- you'll need an industry safety certificate like the Client Contractor National Safety Group (CCNSG) Safety Passport Scheme for many jobs
Further information
You can find more about careers in engineering from the ECITB and Tomorrow's Engineers.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.