Without Maintenance Engineers to maintain production machinery and repair quickly in the event of breakdowns, manufacturing plants could not function efficiently. You could be one of these specialists, the 'trouble shooters' who keep the wheels of industry turning.

Manufacturing plants employ maintenance fitters for preventative maintenance and repair of plant machinery, mechanical drives and assemblies. Electrical and electronic fitters fix and maintain switchboards, electrical motors and control systems.

After you gain experience, you can become a team leader, supervising workers to ensure they follow procedures and maintenance schedules. You can gain skills in purchasing, computer aided design, supplier evaluation and non-destructive testing.

If you go on to become a Maintenance Engineer, you will plan, direct and coordinate the design modification and continued performance of equipment and machinery in factories.

The skills you learn in working on heavy machinery could also see you moving across to work in Light Metals, Aerospace, Automotive or even the Fine Trades.