Education · 1 of 4
The path
Mostly learned on the job. A license comes later, and where you live decides how much it matters.
- 1
High school diploma or an equivalency certificate
Grade 12
Math, physics, chemistry and any shop class. You need to read gauges, do arithmetic under pressure and follow written procedures.
- 2
Get in the door
Weeks to months
Entry titles are boiler tender, plant helper, utility operator or assistant building engineer. Hospitals, universities and large office buildings hire at this level.
- 3
Long-term on-the-job training
1 to 4 years
You start on monitoring and rounds, then move to valves, pumps, water chemistry and repairs under a licensed engineer.
- 4
Or a registered apprenticeship
About 4 years
Some employers and locals of the International Union of Operating Engineers run a four year apprenticeship of about 8,000 paid hours on the job plus around 600 hours of classroom time.
- 5
License up, grade by grade
Ongoing
Where the work is licensed, you sit an exam for a low grade license, gain hours, then test again for a higher grade until you can be a chief engineer.