technician.

Although technicians perform diverse duties depending on the company and area of specialisation, some typical roles and responsibilities include:

• reviewing work and prioritising maintenance projects: at the beginning of the day, you review scheduled maintenance work and prioritise the tasks. You schedule the repairs efficiently and gather the tools, parts and instructions required for maintenance.
• documenting maintenance work performed: it is important to document processes when performing maintenance procedures. If you notice any problems with the machinery, take photos and write down the required items. Before completing the job, you document the causes, failure codes and times to complete the repairs or maintenance procedures.
• completing routine and emergency repairs: it is your job to develop the maintenance operating procedures for preventive and routine equipment inspections. During the scheduled maintenance period, you check and troubleshoot faulty machinery. In case of an emergency system failure, you evaluate the cause of the loss and develop solutions to restore functionality.
• ensuring equipment complies with safety standards: regular inspections ensure the machinery meets the required employee health and safety standards. You document emergency fire and safety plans, hazardous materials, and injury prevention protocols.
• training new technicians: as an experienced technician, you mentor new hires and familiarise them with the operating procedures, policies and repair techniques.

As a technician, your work environment is mainly in a factory plant or manufacturing unit — unless you are an IT technician who works in server rooms. The work of a technician is hands-on. You should be around the machines to determine the cause of a failure or replace spare parts. Due to the dangerous nature of factory environments, you wear protective equipment when completing repairs. Before you commence repair work, you formulate a maintenance plan for the equipment in the facility. That requires hours of office work, reading the manuals and writing reports.

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include process engineers, CNC operators and CNC machinists. You might also be working in close proximity to electricians and electrical engineers, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, field engineers, industrial electricians and mechanical fitters.

Technicians work an average of 42 hours weekly in the mechanical maintenance sector. General technicians work more or fewer hours, depending on the job specifications. Unlike other 9 AM to 5 PM office-based roles, you work on a shift basis. Since manufacturing processes continue 24/7, companies need technicians on standby to troubleshoot any arising issues and assist during malfunctions. That means your work extends to holidays and weekends during emergency situations. Technicians working part-time are often consultants who are called upon during emergencies to solve problems in their area of expertise. If the company's manufacturing facility is in a different location, you commute between the office and the facility.

As a technician, you have diverse career options to build your profession. The different roles for a technician allow you to branch into any field of specialisation, and with extra qualifications, you can become an engineer. Most technicians become maintenance engineers, but electrical, mechanical and construction engineering opportunities are also available. Alternatively, become a consultant or a lecturer in a learning institution after gaining years of experience. Self-employment or freelance work is also possible if you have the right skill set.

Finding your technician job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:

• a wide variety of training and development opportunities
• an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
• a range of opportunities in your area
• get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
• temporary and permanent contracts

Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a technician is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract every year with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

As a technician, you repair, install, and service different systems and equipment. You also maintain and repair machines or equipment to ensure they work safely. Since different professionals use the machines, you write the safety procedures and maintenance plans to protect the users.

As a technician, your earnings depend on your experience and the complexity of your tasks. The median salary of a technician in Australia is $75,000 per year. In an entry-level position, you start with a remuneration package of $65,000 annually, increasing gradually to over $85,000 yearly with experience.

As a process technician, you identify machine faults and errors to ensure efficiency in the production process. You also maintain production logbooks by reporting faults and breakdowns to product engineers or supervisors.

To work as an IT technician, you require a diploma or bachelor’s degree in information technology. It also helps to have additional certifications like CompTIAA+.

As a technician, you work with various professionals and require good interpersonal skills to collaborate well with others. Excellent verbal communication skills are also useful in explaining maintenance procedures. It is important to be thorough and pay attention to details.

Applying for a technician job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.