Q. What kind of education or experience do you need to start a career in apartment maintenance?

A. While experience in construction and some form of career and technical education or higher education provides a firm foundation, many people start apartment industry maintenance careers with a high school diploma and little or no previous experience. The main thing is that job-seekers come with a desire to do a good job and to learn the skills necessary to succeed long-term.

Q. Do apartment industry maintenance jobs provide benefits?

A. Most apartment companies provide a wide array of benefits, ranging from health insurance, paid vacations and 401ks for retirement planning to rent assistance for housing and training for certifications. Professional development is a priority for the apartment industry, and benefits are viewed as an important part of that development.

Q. What kind of professional training can I earn in the apartment industry?

A. Through the National Apartment Association Education Institute and your local apartment association, maintenance professionals can receive a Certificate for Apartment Maintenance Technicians (CAMT). In addition to maintenance, NAAEI offers programs in leasing and management.

CAMT training has seven courses, including two non-technical courses that are taken online, followed by online practice scenarios. The five technical courses consist of hands-on classroom training, again followed by online practice scenarios.

Non-Technical Courses (online):

• Inside the Apartment Business
• People, Projects and Profits

Technical Courses:

• Electrical Maintenance and Repair
• Plumbing Maintenance and Repair
• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Maintenance and Repair
• Appliances Maintenance and Repair
• Interior and Exterior Maintenance

To be eligible for CAMT, you will need to have at least one year of industry experience. NAAEI’s designation programs are nationally-recognized. Click here to learn more about the CAMT program.

Q. What kind of career advancement is there for maintenance positions?

A. Plenty. If you work hard and enhance your skill set, you can move up from entry-level positions to managing people in a relatively short amount of time. You can also advance to larger properties and eventually oversee many properties, depending on your dedication and willingness to learn. The apartment industry provides unlimited possibilities for those with a strong desire to succeed. In fact, many of today’s apartment executives began their career in apartment maintenance.