What education does it take to become a maintenance and reliability engineer/professional? Many of the job postings say you need an engineering degree, or is it enough to have a 3yr technologist diploma.

This is a field I have a strong passion for, and is where I'd like my career path to go.

I'd would like some advice from some of the professionals working in the field on how to start going down the right path.

Thank you,

Brad,
You have one of the most important requirements already - passion!
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There are many roads to becoming a maintenance and reliability professional. It would be useful if you told us what qualifications/experience you have currently. If you already have a 3 year diploma, you probably have craft skills and some theoretical background. Starting at the craft level can bring many advantages in your career development later. Job fairs are a good place to start your search.

Thank you for your response. I have a 3 year diploma in mechanical engineering technology, took the 10 day Physical Asset Management Certificate Course at University of Toronto. I have applied to the Monash Univeristy online maintenance course. However; do to the current economic state I can not attend until at least the 2nd semister. The other option is to go back to school and optain a engineering degree. Any thoughts?

Thank you,

Brad,
These are all good options. Getting some practical work experience in the field before doing these is another option, and one that I would suggest as a first step. I realize that hiring is at an all time low, but entry level training-type jobs may still be on offer.
I work with Robert Gordon University in Scotland, where we have an M.Sc. program on Asset Integrity Management, something you may wish to consider some years down the line.

Brad, I finished the Monash program via distance here in Australia a couple of years back - it was outstanding. The material is relevant, the faculty are experienced in the maintenance and reliability industry, and the networking is great.

Ray Beebe heads that program up and he is lurking on this board somewhere but he doesn't need to pay me to plug his program!

Well worth the time and money, and be happy to discuss further off the board if you want more info.

Good luck,
Matt McLeod

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Thanks Matt,

I applying the Graduate Diploma in Engineering Maintenance Management I miss the 1st semester and starting in the 2nd one. Hopefully; this will help get my foot in the door. Do you have any other suggestions?

I have a 4 year bachelors engineering degree in mechanical engineering. I feel that i didnt learn anything in school that says i can be a maintenance or reliability engineer. All of the work i do is understanding information and knowing how to interpret it . In my job I have to be good at working with people and this is actually an area that i am gifted. School does not provide you with information you can actually use at your job. School does give you alot of background knowledge and theory that comes in helpful, but it isnt an everyday ordeal where i need my calculus or thermo dynamics book. Its just knowing how the whole world goes round that helps.

So if you dont have a degree in engineering, you are still completely capable of doing these type of jobs. Its just too bad that sometimes the job description says that you need. But apply anyway and hopefully your experience will get you in the door.

best of luck.