Maintenance Technician

Although this is a broad category descriptor, pertaining to the upkeep and technical care, support and repair of all and any type of equipment, location and/or facility - as technical requirements specialists, it is usually used in occupational terms to refer to jobs in the broadcasting and sound engineering realms, referring to technicians and radio operators disciplines, roles and related functions.

About a third of the maintenance technicians work in broadcasting, mainly for radio and television stations, and another third work in the motion picture and sound recording industries. Evening, weekend, and holiday work is common. Maintaining and repairing equipment and facilities is the main function, duty and all-encompassing role and tasks summary for this category. It requires expert technical knowledge, skill and hands-on experience.

MTs set up, operate, and maintain a wide variety of electrical and electronic equipment involved in almost any radio or television broadcast, concert, play, musical recording, television show, or movie. With such a range of work, there are many specialized occupations within the field.

The transition to digital recording, editing, and broadcasting, has greatly changed the work of broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators. Software on desktop computers has replaced specialized electronic equipment in many recording and editing functions.

Most radio and television stations have replaced video and audio tapes with computer hard drives and other computer data storage systems. Computer networks linked to the specialized equipment dominate modern broadcasting. This transition has forced technicians to learn computer networking and software skills. Getting, keeping current and on-going upgrading of knowledge and skill is a given in this field.

Job applicants face strong competition for jobs in major metropolitan areas, where pay generally is higher; prospects are better in small cities and towns. Technical school, community college, or college training in electronics, computer networking, or broadcast technology provides the best preparation.

Working in a studio, as an assistant, is a great way of gaining experience and knowledge. People seeking entry-level jobs as maintenance technicians, regardless of the industry and/or discipline, (like broadcasting for example), are expected to face strong competition in major metropolitan areas, where pay generally is higher and the number of qualified jobseekers typically exceeds the number of openings. There are lots of contract, seasonal as well as freelance opportunities available across industries. Look for example at www.net-temps.com, workinfonet, www.jobfind.com, www.cicic.ca/professionals. For aviation mechanical technician information, look at The National Aviation Academy website, lots of universities and colleges will also have info, links on training and jobs in the field of Aeronautics and aircraft maintenance for example. Trades publications (in the industry that peaks your interest), might also have more information.

The best way to prepare for a broadcast and sound engineering technician job, is to obtain technical school, community college, or college training in electronics, computer networking, or broadcast technology. In the motion picture industry, people are hired as apprentice editorial assistants and work their way up to more skilled jobs. Employers in the motion picture industry usually hire experienced freelance technicians on a picture-by-picture basis. Reputation and determination are important in getting jobs.

Beginners learn skills on the job from experienced technicians and supervisors. They often begin their careers in small stations and, once experienced, move on to larger ones. Large stations usually hire only technicians with experience. Many employers pay tuition and expenses for courses or seminars to help technicians keep abreast of developments in the field.

Audio and video equipment technicians generally need a high school diploma. Many recent entrants have a community college degree or various other forms of postsecondary degrees, although that is not always a requirement. They may substitute on-the-job training for formal education requirements.

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