Industrial Maintenance Technology, Certificate

Industrial maintenance mechanics work in every industry that uses machinery. Examples include cement manufacturing plants, petroleum refineries, clothing manufacturers, transportation manufacturers, and food processing to name a few.

Industrial maintenance mechanics install and maintain equipment with the goal of ensuring that all machines function properly. They perform preventative maintenance, troubleshoot problems, and repair machines. Students must have technical/mechanical aptitude, the ability to handle and operate hand-held power tools, mobility, and the ability to stand and sit at a workstation for several hours.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that employment of industrial maintenance mechanics will grow 5 percent through 2028. The need to keep increasingly sophisticated machinery functioning and efficient will continue to create demand for these workers. The average entry wage is $32,446 according to the Kansas Department of Labor’s 2026 employment projections.

This program is designed to prepare students to obtain the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certification as an Industrial Maintenance Mechanic. In addition, the program prepares students to take the Society for Maintenance & Reliability Professionals Certifying Organization’s exam to become a Certified Maintenance & Reliability Technician (CMRT).

General Education Courses

The Industrial Maintenance Technology certificate program may be a terminal certificate program leading directly to employment. Certificate students are not required to take specific general education courses. Students wishing to pursue continued education, may apply the Industrial Maintenance Technology credits toward the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Industrial Engineering Technology degree. The AAS degree requires 64 credit hours, which includes technical courses, general education courses and electives.

Program Outcomes

Demonstrate an understanding of safety, responsibility, and OSHA standards.
Assemble, install, and ensure operation of machinery and mechanical equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements on engines, motors, pneumatic tools, conveyor systems, and production machines.
Utilize diagrams, blueprints, operations manuals, manufacturer’s instructions, and engineering specifications to ensure proper mechanical operations.
Demonstrate an understanding of electrical control, motor drives, and programmable logic controllers.
Demonstrate an understanding of hydraulic and pneumatic installation and troubleshooting.
Demonstrate laser shaft alignment.
Demonstrate variable frequency drives installation and repair.
Demonstrate effective troubleshooting skills.
Remove defective parts by dismantling devices using hoists, cranes, and hand and power tools.
Determine changes in dimensional requirements of parts by inspection using rules, calipers, micrometers, and other measuring instruments.
Adjust functional parts of devices and control instruments by using hand tools, levels, plumb bobs, and straightedges.
Demonstrate employability skills necessary for a career as an industrial maintenance mechanic.

Course Sequence

The listing that follows is a recommended sequence of courses for students. The student should consult with an advisor for information specific to their academic situation.