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Industrial Maintenance Mechanic

Overview

The rigorous Industrial Maintenance Mechanic curriculum prepares learners for a career as skilled industrial maintenance mechanics. It covers the concepts professional maintenance mechanics need to safely install, maintain, repair, and dismantle equipment in a range of applications, from assembly plants to power manufacturers.

The four-level Industrial Maintenance Mechanic curriculum complies with the U.S. Department of Labor’s standards for apprenticeship programs.

Craft Snapshot

Journey Level
Assessment Available
PUBLISHED
2025, 4th Edition
NCCERconnect Deliver instruction using our pre-loaded content and course management tools, streamline training, and track results through the online gradebook. Students learn using the interactive eTextbook and Media Library with Active Figures that bring the material to life, anytime and anywhere they choose.
Not Available
LANGUAGES
English

Curriculum Details

3rd Edition
Total Recommended Hours
Competencies & Objectives Lists
Levels 1-4: 702.5, includes Core hours Click here
Introduction to Industrial Maintenance
5 Hours

Module ID 32101: This module reviews career choices available to skilled industrial craftworkers. Industrial maintenance mechanics who perform their tasks safely, communicate effectively, and behave responsibly earn respect within the industry, and pave the way for career growth, increased pay, and better advancement opportunities.

Millwright Hand Tools
17.5 Hours

Module ID 15102: Introduces hand tools used by millwrights. Explains hand tool safety and covers the methods for selecting, inspecting, using, and maintaining these tools.

Millwright Power Tools
22.5 Hours

Module ID 15205: Introduces power tools used by millwrights and procedures for using, caring for, and maintaining these tools.

Fasteners and Anchors
12.5 Hours

Module ID 15103: Identifies fasteners and anchors used by millwrights, including their applications and installation procedures.

Oxyfuel Cutting
17.5 Hours

Module ID 29102: Explains the safety requirements for oxyfuel cutting. Identifies oxyfuel cutting equipment and provides instructions for setting up, lighting, and using the equipment.

Gaskets and Packing
15 Hours

Module ID 15107: Describes gaskets and packing and their applications, while also providing instructions for laying out, cutting, and installing gaskets.

Craft-Related Mathematics
20 Hours

Module ID 15201: This module introduces the use of equivalents and conversion tables, figure ratios, and proportions. Explains basic use of trigonometry in calculating takeouts, volumes, and weights of objects, and performing right-angle trigonometry.

Reading Mechanical Drawings
20 Hours

Module ID 15203: Explains orthographic projection, isometric, and schematic drawings used to show piping, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems.

Pumps and Drivers
5 Hours

Module ID 32108: This module introduces common pumps found in commercial and industrial settings and explains how they work to effectively move fluids. It also covers the types of engines that drive the pumps, including basic installation methods.

Identifying and Installing Valves
20 Hours

Module ID 08203: Identifies different types of valves, including those that start and stop flow, regulate flow, regulate flow direction, and relieve pressure, and describes their installation as well as proper storage and handling procedures. Covers common valve operators and actuators.

Electrical Test Equipment
5 Hours

Module ID 26112-23: Covers the applications of various types of electrical test equipment. Describes meter safety precautions and category ratings.

Rigging Practices
15 Hours

Module ID 38102: Describes basic rigging and safety practices related to rigging activities. Teaches use and inspection of equipment and hardware used in rigging. Explains how to apply common hitches.

Motorized Equipment
10 Hours

Module ID 08106: Explains the safety factors, operator maintenance, and operating procedures associated with motorized equipment used on job sites. Covers electrical generators, air compressors, aerial lifts, forklifts, trenchers, backhoes, mobile cranes, and portable equipment including welding machines, pumps, and compactors.

Lubrication
15 Hours

Module ID 15208: Explains how to safely select and use lubricants. Describes types of lubricants and lubrication devices.

Basic Layout
20 Hours

Module ID 15104: Discusses the tools used in layout. Explains how to lay out baselines using the arc method and 3-4-5 method.

Piping Systems
5 Hours

Module ID 08201: Introduces chemical, compressed air, fuel oil, steam, and water systems. Explains how to identify piping systems according to color codes, the effects of thermal expansion, and the purpose of pipe insulation.

Basic Copper and Plastic Piping Practices
12.5 Hours

Module ID 03103: Explains how to identify types of copper tubing and fittings used in the HVACR industry and how they are mechanically joined. Introduces push-to-connect and press-toconnect fittings. Also presents the identification and application of various types of plastic piping including PEX tubing, along with their common assembly and installation practices. Introduces pressure testing refrigerant lines.

Basic Carbon Steel Piping Practices
10 Hours

Module ID 03105: Explains how to identify various carbon steel piping materials and fittings. Covers the joining and installation of threaded and grooved carbon steel piping systems, including detailed descriptions of threading and grooving techniques.

Maintaining Valves
10 Hours

Module ID 08408: Explains how to replace packing and O-rings, and how to open and close a valve’s bonnet. Discusses how to safely troubleshoot and maintain several types of valves.

Testing Piping Systems and Equipment
20 Hours

Module ID 08309: Discusses the importance of safety and following procedures with testing and inspections. Topics include pretest requirements, visual weld inspections, service flow tests, hard pressure tests, hydrostatic tests, and steam blow tests.

Introduction to Bearings
15 Hours

Module ID 15209: Describes the types and applications of bearings, including plain, roller, ball, thrust, and guide bearings, as well as pillow block, flanged, and takeup bearings. Also explains bearing designation systems.

Introduction to Conveyors
10 Hours

Module ID 15401: Describes conveyor systems and their principles of operation. Introduces several approaches to belt conveyor drive options. Introduces drum motors and servomotors for belt and roller conveyor systems.

Low-Pressure Steam Systems
10 Hours

Module ID 32208: This module introduces the properties of water and fundamentals of steam, followed by a detailed review of low-pressure steam systems and components. Maintaining these systems includes the repair, monitoring and troubleshooting all the components of these systems, such as boilers, control valves, heat exchangers, condensate traps, and vacuum pumps.

High-Pressure Steam Generation Systems
20 Hours

Module ID 32209: This module explains the functioning of high-pressure steam systems used in industry. To support a boiler operation, maintenance craftworkers must be proficient in the use, repair, and maintenance of the auxiliary equipment needed to generate and manage high pressure steam, such as pulverizers, evaporators, soot blowers, and precipitators.

Distillation Towers and Vessels
20 Hours

Module ID 32210: Introduces the various types and functioning of distillation towers and vessels, including recovery vessels and condensate processing. The operation, maintenance, and repair of distillation towers and vessels is described in this module. Various types of towers and their components are discussed, as well as an overview of refinery processes.

Industrial Heat Transfer Equipment
30 Hours

Module ID 32211: This module reviews the fundamental principles behind heat transfer. It explores uses of heat transfer within numerous industries and outlines the different types of heat exchange equipment. By reviewing the module, the maintenance craftworker is prepared to maintain heat exchange equipment safely, knowledgeable in its operation, servicing, and uses.

Introduction to Tube Work
10 Hours

Module ID 32212: Introduces the basics of working with heat exchanger and furnace tubing and tube sheets. By employing a detailed boiler inspection program and applying the proper tools and techniques, forced outages and downtime can be reduced and boiler efficiency can be restored.

Advanced Pipefitting Math
25 Hours

Module ID 08304: Covers the role of trigonometry in pipefitting, including the use of trigonometric functions, triangle calculations, determining angles, interpolation, and calculating takeouts and odd angles.

Precision Measuring Tools
20 Hours

Module ID 15302: Explains how to select, inspect, use, and care for measuring tools of the millwright craft. Now includes tools such as keyseat rules, telescoping gauges, ultrasonic thickness detector and hardness tester.

Removing and Installing Bearings
22.5 Hours

Module ID 15306: Explains how to remove, troubleshoot, and install tapered, thrust, spherical roller, pillow block, and angular contact ball bearings.

Couplings and Alignment Fundamentals
15 Hours

Module ID 15307: Identifies types of couplings and covers installation procedures using the press-fit method and the interference-fit method. Also covers coupling removal procedures.

Setting Baseplates and Soleplates
20 Hours

Module ID 15207: Describes how to set a machine baseplate and soleplate while guaranteeing alignment with other equipment.

Prealignment and Shim Fabrication
20 Hours

Module ID 15313: Covers procedures for fabricating shims. Explains how to level equipment using jack bolts, wedges and shims. Guides the checking for soft foot and other coupling stresses addressed during rough alignment.

Dial Indicator Alignment
45 Hours

Module ID 15314: Explains the procedures involved in aligning shafts, first with a straightedge and feeler gauges, then with dial indicators. Describes preparation for dial indicator reverse alignment, and explains the procedures for setting up reverse alignment jigs. Explains graphic and mathematical techniques for aligning equipment, based on reverse dial indicator measurements.

Installing Belt and Chain Drives
15 Hours

Module ID 15311: Covers the sizes, uses, and installation procedures of six types of drive belts and two types of chain drives.

Mechanical Seals
15 Hours

Module ID 15305: Covers the function and advantages of mechanical seals, identifies parts and types of seals, and includes procedures for removing, inspecting, and installing mechanical seals.

Troubleshooting and Repairing Conveyors
12.5 Hours

Module ID 15402: Describes maintaining and repairing belt, roller, chain, screw, and pneumatic conveyors. Covers conveyor belt tracking problems and correction methods.

Preventive and Predictive Maintenance
10 Hours

Module ID 15508: Explains preventive and predictive maintenance programs. Provides information on nondestructive testing, and introduces the basic techniques for nondestructive evaluation. Discusses lubricant analysis, and acoustic, infrared, and vibration testing.

Advanced Mechanical Drawings
17.5 Hours

Module ID 15503: Describes the use of drawing sets to obtain information about a system. Explains the process of identifying a part of a machine for repair or replacement from a set of drawings.

Basic Pneumatic Systems
7.5 Hours

Module ID 15407: Explains pneumatic system components and compressed-air treatment. Introduces equipment auxiliary and special-application equipment used with compressors and with tools.

Compressors and Compressor Maintenance
20 Hours

Module ID 15406: Introduces compressors and the troubleshooting and maintenance procedures associated with compressors.

Laser Alignment
25 Hours

Module ID 15502: Describes the operation of laser alignment instruments. Covers step-by-step vertical and horizontal alignment.

Introduction to Leadership
22.5 Hours

Module ID 46100: Introduces leadership skills and different leadership styles, as well as communication and problem solving techniques. Jobsite safety and safety leadership are also discussed. Introduces business topics that are important to understand for construction projects.

Troubleshooting and Repairing Pumps
17.5 Hours

Module ID 15405: Describes inspecting, troubleshooting, assembling, and disassembling pumps. Explains installing pumps, and preparing them for startup. Discusses shutdown, repair, and removal of pumps from the system.

Troubleshooting and Repairing Gearboxes
15 Hours

Module ID 15411: Explains how to troubleshoot, remove, and disassemble gearboxes; how to identify gear wear patterns; and how to install and maintain gearboxes.

Advanced Towers and Vessels
15 Hours

Module ID 32501: This module addresses different types of distillation towers and the components found inside them, including the different types of trays and packing used in the distillation process. On the maintenance side, it covers removing, replacing, and troubleshooting tower components, torquing and tensioning, as well as safety when working on distillation towers.

Instructor Resources

Instructor Toolbox

NCCER’s Instructor Toolbox provides easy access to important instructional resources for your training program. You’ll find downloadable course planning tools, examples of classroom activities and projects, and instructor tips and best practices to help you enhance your program.

Assessments

NCCER’s assessments evaluate the knowledge of an individual in a specific craft area and provide a prescription for upgrade training when needed. All assessments are based upon the NCCER Curriculum and have been developed in conjunction with subject matter experts from the industry. Click the assessment title below to open its specifications.

Industrial Maintenance Mechanic