NEXT PROS: Ashley Rogers, Industrial Maintenance

By Arkansas Next staff on Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Jacob Slaton
“Maintenance is a career path that will always exist, and the shortage of qualified people make it easy to drive your career. Whether I am growing towards my goals, or just blooming where I am planted, growth is still taking place. I am always looking for an opportunity to make a difference.” – Ashley Rogers

Ashley Rogers

High school: Siloam Springs High School | Age: 21 | Where I trained: Career Academy of Siloam Springs and an Industrial Maintenance Apprenticeship at Simmons Dry Pet Food | What I earned: Industrial Maintenance License and on-the-job training | Job title: Maintenance Technician | Employer: Simmons Dry Pet Food in Decatur


What does a maintenance technician do?

Maintenance technicians perform preventative maintenance on the equipment in a plant or factory. They troubleshoot and repair equipment that has failed at the production line or in the shop. Maintenance technicians also give feedback on schedules, parts and supplies to improve accuracy and make things run smoothly.

“Not many of my peers can start up an engine room after a shutdown, replace a forklift mast or change out drive motors, test a motor to see if it is good, or drive industrial equipment.”Ashley


Responsibilities

• Maintain work equipment or machinery.

• Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair.

• Enter work orders for deficiencies found during the project management process.

• Troubleshoot and repair equipment.

• Attend machine-/OEM-specific training courses.

• Be an agent of safety and quality.

• Give feedback to ensure the plant or factory runs as smoothly as possible.

• Assist with assembly, start-up and shutdown of equipment.

Job Outlook

+8%
Expected growth from 2016 to 2026 in Arkansas.

1,410
Annual projected job openings in Arkansas.

13,900
Jobs in Arkansas by 2026.

This option is for you if:
You like to work without supervision.
You enjoy using hand and power tools.
You like an active work environment.
Your hand-eye coordination is on point.
You like to think outside the box.
You’re a problem solver

"Maintenance is a career path that will always exist, and the shortage of qualified people make it easy to drive your career."Ashley


High-end earners in Arkansas (top 10%) make
$48,780

Median wages in Arkansas
$31,070 Annual
$14.94 Hourly

START YOUR TRAINING

Arkansas Construction Education Foundation
Arkansas Northeastern College
Arkansas State University–Beebe
Arkansas State University–Mid-South
Arkansas State University–Newport
Arkansas Tech University–Ozark Campus
Black River Technical College
College of the Ouachitas
East Arkansas Community College
National Park College
North Arkansas College
NorthWest Arkansas Community College
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
Southern Arkansas University Tech
University of Arkansas at Fort Smith–College of Applied Science & Technology
University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology – Crossett
University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville
University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton
University of Arkansas Cossatot

READY TO HIRE YOU

ABB Motors & Mechanical Inc.
Arkansas Electric Cooperatives
Cargill
Hytrol
L'Oreal Maybelline Co.
Lexicon Inc.
McKee Foods Corporation
Pace Industries
Simmons Foods, Inc. & Affiliates
Tyson Foods
Wabash National
Welsco

Source: CareerOneStop.org


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17 Hot Jobs in Skilled Trades