How to Become a Hydraulics Technician

By eHow Careers & Work Editor

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A hydraulics technician works with particular types of heavy equipment and machinery. This equipment, which is fueled by pressurized fluids, is used in laboratories, transportation vehicle plants, offices and even hospitals. Some research companies also employ hydraulics technicians to help them develop new machinery or to work in the design and adjustment of existing machines.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

High school diploma or GED

Step1

Finish high school. This is essential to become part of the union and to be accredited for work in large factories and in certain government fields. While still in school, enroll in courses that have to do with physics, electricity and mechanics, all of which are essential to the field.

Step2

Keep studying. Though a certification as a hydraulic and pneumatic technician is not needed to obtain a job, more and more companies are now seeking professionals who have undergone some kind of formal training. Local schools and community colleges may offer some kind of post-secondary formal training that lasts anything from 16 to 24 months.

Step3

Ask your school to place you in employment. This is a common resource offered by post-secondary schools and one of the main reasons people choose to enroll in them.

Step4

Look for a place that offers on-the-job training. This is your best option if you don't want to continue on to post-secondary education or if there are no local opportunities for jobs. Apprenticeships are also great if you plan to work in a specific field for a long time, as you will be trained in the specifics for that industry.

Step5

Get certified by the Fluid Power Educational Foundation, the only organization in the United States related to the field of hydraulics (see Resources below). Besides providing online training, they also offer special programs for high school and college students and a list of all colleges offering local instructional programs to those interested in becoming certified in Fluid Power Technology and Manufacturing Engineering Technician.

Tips & Warnings

Counting on the help of the school for placement makes the whole process much easier for you and for the company.
If you don't want to become an employee, it may be possible to freelance in this field by acting as a consultant for different manufacturing companies. You could also act as a service representative for a company and its line of machines.