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CAREERS
Industrial Maintenance & Electrical Systems

Foundations of Mechanical Systems

Build essential skills for entry-level industrial maintenance technicians to inspect, repair, and maintain mechanical equipment.

$60,860

ANNUAL MEDIAN RANGE

8 Weeks

Typical Time to Complete

8 Credits

MAY VARY BY INSTITUTION

StackableiCredits earned in this pathway can be applied toward certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees at participating community colleges.

TOWARD DEGREES & CREDENTIALS
ABOUT THIS PATHWAY

What You Learn

The Foundations of Mechanical Systems micropathway helps you build the skills needed to start a career in industrial maintenance. You will learn how to inspect, repair, and maintain mechanical equipment, apply dimensional measurement techniques, and perform preventive maintenance while following OSHA-aligned safety standards.

This pathway supports progression into advanced maintenance and automation roles and can count toward associate degree programs like Industrial Systems Technology at your local community college.

ENROLL LOCALLY

Get Started Near You

This pathway is offered at AdvanceNC member colleges across North Carolina. Each college runs its own version of the program, so schedules, costs, and start dates vary by location. Find a college and reach out through its page to ask about training options near you.

Scholarships and funding are available. Ask about your options when you connect with a college.

Request Information

Central Carolina Community College

Sanford, North Carolina • Lee County

Durham Technical Community College

Durham, North Carolina • Durham County

Fayetteville Technical Community College

Fayetteville, North Carolina • Cumberland County

Guilford Technical Community College

Jamestown, North Carolina • Guilford County

Randolph Community College

Asheboro, North Carolina • Randolph County

Vance-Granville Community College

Henderson, North Carolina • Vance County

Aligned OCCUPATIONS

Jobs You Qualify For

Industrial Machinery Mechanic

Repair and maintain factory equipment, production machinery, and material handling systems.

Maintenance & Repair Worker

Perform general maintenance and minor repairs on machinery, buildings, and equipment.

EMBEDDED CREDENTIALS

Credentials You Earn

OSHA-10

INCLUDED

PROGRAM SKILLS

Core Competencies You Learn

Mechanical Systems

Mechanical System Inspection & Repair

Focuses on a technician’s ability to inspect, troubleshoot, maintain, and restore mechanical equipment, including core tasks such as system inspections, adjustments, and mechanical assembly and disassembly that help minimize unplanned downtime in manufacturing environments.
  • Monitor, troubleshoot, install, and repair basic mechanical systems
  • Safely examine, troubleshoot, and repair power transmission components
  • Inspect and adjust/tighten mechanical equipment
  • Assemble/disassemble mechanical components
  • Align and adjust gear drives
  • Install, align, and adjust pillow block bearings

Mechanical Preventive & Predictive Maintenance

Focuses on routine maintenance practices that extend equipment life and prevent breakdowns, including applying manufacturer-recommended lubrication techniques and using checklists to identify potential issues before failures occur.
  • Perform preventive and predictive maintenance on mechanical equipment
  • Apply proper lubrication techniques using manufacturer-recommended lubricants

Dimensional Measurement & Analysis

Prepares learners to use precision measurement tools to verify component specifications and interpret technical drawings, including tolerances and basic GD&T, to ensure proper part fit, function, and safety.
  • Properly use dimensional measurement tools (e.g., calipers, micrometers, dial indicators)
  • Inspect dimensions of shafts, bearings, and other mechanical components
  • Read and interpret technical drawings of parts and assemblies with tolerances and basic Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)

Workplace Safety and Regulatory Compliance

Ensures learners can work safely in industrial environments by complying with OSHA regulations and applying appropriate safety protocols, including PPE, fire safety, and hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical system procedures.
  • Operate in the workplace in a safe and effective manner
  • Adhere to general safety, health, and environmental rules and regulations (e.g., LOTO, confined space)
  • Understand and follow safety rules for mechanical power transmission systems
  • Comply with fluid power systems safety rules (hydraulic / pneumatic)
  • Follow safety rules for electronic power and control systems
  • Apply safety protocols appropriate to specific manufacturing environments, such as welding, piping, and electrical systems

Critical Thinking in the Workplace

The ability to reason logically and rigorously by gathering and evaluating relevant information, identifying patterns across data and situations, questioning assumptions, and using evidence-based reasoning to draw sound conclusions, judgments, and recommendations.
  • Gather and assess relevant information: ground problem-solving in facts rather than assertions
  • Identify patterns: make sense of data, recognize commonalities among seemingly unrelated situations, and frame novel problems in familiar terms
  • Question assumptions: resist easy answers, probe more deeply, and improve the problem-solving process
  • Draw conclusions: use logic and reasoning to evaluate arguments, form judgments, and make recommendations

Interested in This Pathway?

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