Maintenance fitter

You could take a college course to learn some of the skills you'll need in this job.

Relevant subjects include:

• engineering
• mechanical or electrical engineering
• fabrication and welding
• T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:

• Engineering and Manufacturing Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
• Engineering Fitter Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Engineering Maintenance Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Maintenance Operations Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Foundation apprenticeship

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

• have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
• are in care or have been in care
• are in prison or have been in prison

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship

• 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

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

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 qualifications and experience in maintenance work, like:

• mechanical engineering
• pipefitting
• welding
• electrical engineering

Registrations

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 .

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

You could work in a factory or at a client's business.

You may need to wear protective clothing.