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Industrial Maintenance Tech Career Pathway

Career Pathway for MC Jefferson Community and Technical College Industrial Maintenance Technology and Engineering and Electronics Technology students.

Program Overview

The Industrial Maintenance Technology Pathway offers students an opportunity to earn a college degree while gaining hands‑on industry experience and substantial financial support. Participants work part‑time at UPS starting at $21 per hour, where frontline operational experience as a package handler builds the foundational knowledge essential for future success as an advanced manufacturing technician. Students receive paid tuition at Jefferson Community and Technical College, full health and insurance benefits for themselves and their families after nine months, and paid vacation and holidays after one year. Additional financial supports include up to $250 in course fee assistance each fall and spring semester, a $500 academic bonus for completing six or more credit hours with strong academic standing, and the ability to stack MC benefits with federal aid, Evolve502, and other grants. Career readiness is strengthened through one‑on‑one career coaching, résumé support, budgeting guidance, and mock interviews. Students also participate in a structured UPS Industry Mentorship Program, meeting at least three times with UPS professionals who provide guidance on skills, advancement pathways, job market expectations, and exam preparation to support long‑term career success. 

This program requires a minimum commitment of 18 months and is designed for disciplined individuals with a strong work ethic who can successfully balance part‑time nightshift employment with college coursework. Students must manage a demanding schedule that may include daytime or evening classes followed by overnight shifts at UPS, making time management, resilience, and personal responsibility essential to success. An example schedule is provided below to help prospective students understand the rigor and expectations of this pathway. 

The example schedules below illustrate two possible schedule options designed to help students balance their academic and work responsibilities. Because this pathway includes third‑shift employment, students are strongly encouraged to maintain a consistent sleep schedule every day as much as possible to support their health, performance, and long‑term success. The sample schedules include approximately two 3‑credit‑hour online general education courses each semester, two days of on‑site classes from morning to 4 p.m., five days of third‑shift work each week, and designated sleep time to help students structure their days effectively. Students who have already completed general education coursework, either through prior college enrollment or dual‑credit programs, may be able to apply those credits toward their degree, thereby reducing the number of online courses they need to complete. 

MCE courses are held between 8-9am two days a week and UPS recommends completing these courses. The Industrial Maintenance Technology courses are held twice a week 9am-4pm. 

While the rewards of this program are substantial, ranging from financial benefits to career advancement, it requires hard work, discipline, and a highly structured approach to daily scheduling to thrive.

 

Program Benefits

The MC Industrial Maintenance Technology program offers a rich blend of financial benefits, hands‑on experiences in the classroom, and valuable industry connections, providing comprehensive support that extends far beyond tuition coverage through competitive wages, bonuses, fee payment assistance, and more.

  • Part-time employment at UPS starting at $21/Hour. Working on the front operational lines as a UPS package handler provides a deep understanding of the organization’s core processes, giving you the foundational experience needed to excel as an advanced manufacturing technician. 

  • Paid tuition at Jefferson Community and Technical College 

  • Full Benefits: Employees, along with their spouses and dependents, receive health, dental, vision, prescription, and life insurance coverage after 9 months of employment. Employees also receive paid vacation and holidays after one year of employment. They also have the ability to purchase UPS stock. 

  • Fee Payment Assistance: Receive up to $250 in course fee payment assistance for fall and spring semesters. 

  • Academic Bonus: Students receive a $500 bonus each fall and spring semester with successful completion of 6 or more credit hours and no withdrawals, incompletes, failures or D grades. Eligible students must remain employed for the duration of the semester. 

  • UPS Industry Mentorship: Meet with UPS, a competitive wage employer in the industry (Note: UPS industry positions are listed as PE Belt Mechanics), during in-person on-site sessions, at least three times throughout your academic program. MC students are provided with a clear roadmap to become employed in advanced manufactory technology careers. UPS will provide guidance on required experience, skill benchmarks, internal advancement opportunities, external advancement opportunities, and employment and hiring projections. UPS will also provide MC students with exam test preparation to support your career success.  

  • Stackable Financial Benefits: Stackable Financial Benefits ensure MC students maximize all available aid by requiring completion of the FAFSA each academic year, allowing them to combine MC support with other programs—such as Evolve502, Work Ready and state or federal grant opportunities—because MC is not a last‑dollar scholarship. This means students can “stack” multiple funding sources to significantly increase their total financial benefit. Students are encouraged to use the MC Total Benefits Calculator to estimate their full potential savings. 

  • Career Coaching: Career Coaching provides MC students with personalized, one-on-one support that helps them build essential career and life readiness skills, including guidance on budgeting, résumé development, completion of the Experiential Learning Module, and preparation through mock interviews to strengthen their confidence and competitiveness in the workforce. 

How the Program Works

➤ LEARN MORE

  • Attend a JCTC program orientation and information session. We will post these events when available.
  • Interested candidates can attend a tour of the program lab areas and see the equipment and tools that will be utilized throughout the program. To learn more, Tiffany Jones-Coleman; (502) 213-2528; jf-KYFAME@kctcs.edu

 ➤ TO START 

  • Indicate Interest in the MC Industrial Maintenance Pathway 

    • Attend a JCTC Industrial Maintenance Technology information session (times and dates will be posted here when available).

    • Complete an MC Industrial Maintenance Technology Interest form by the following deadlines:

      • Fall Semester Admission: 

        • July 1st: priority deadline 

        • August 1st: 2nd deadline -- program availability may be limited or unavailable

        • First day of Classes: Program availability may not be available 

      • Spring Semester Admission:

        • October 1: Spring enrollment is very limited. 

           

  • Apply and Get Hired by UPS IN MC Eligible Area 

    • Go to UPSJobs.com/worldport and click on "Apply Now". 

    • Apply 30-45 days prior to desired start date. 

    • Applicants interested in this pathway need to work 1DA Hub positions. 

    • Accept employment at UPS. 

  • Enroll in the JCTC Industrial Maintenance Tech or Engineering and Electronic Technician Program 

  • Enroll In Metropolitan College 

➤ DURING YOUR ACADEMIC PROGRAM 

  • Develop Career Readiness Skills: Through the MC Career and Academic Planning Program (CAPP), MC Industrial Maintenance Tech and Engineering and Electronics Technology students receive personalized career coaching that helps them effectively communicate their skills and experiences to meet future hiring needs. Support includes resume writing, mock interviews, and tailored guidance aligned with employability criteria. 

  • Engage in UPS Mentorship and Coaching: Meet with UPS, during virtual or in-person sessions, at least three times throughout your academic program. MC students are provided with a clear roadmap to become employed in advanced manufactory technology careers. UPS will provide guidance on required experience, skill benchmarks, internal advancement opportunities, external advancement opportunities, and employment and hiring projections. 

  • Apply and Interview with UPS and other Kentucky area employers: Through MC's Career and Academic Planning Program (CAPP), MC students are fully prepared to present themselves as strong candidates throughout the hiring process. Students learn how to market their skill sets effectively, build polished and professional resumes, and practice interview strategies that highlight their experience, strengths, and readiness for the industrial maintenance industry. With this personalized support, you’ll be equipped to present a strong, well‑prepared candidacy when meeting with employers.

  • Examination Test Prep: During your academic program, UPS and JCTC faculty provide additional support— including guided test preparation— to help ensure you are fully prepared to successfully pass your required employment exam. 

  • Tracked Attendance: Attendance will be regularly tracked by JCTC’s Industrial Maintenance faculty and submitted to the MC Pathway Coordinator, as showing up, engaging, and being on-time are essential skills demonstrated throughout the training process.

➤ MC GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT  

  • Within just 18 months, after working as a package handler and learning the foundations of UPS operations, receiving mentoring from UPS Advanced Manufacturing professionals, completing exceptional academic preparation at JCTC, and benefiting from targeted exam‑prep support, you are fully equipped to launch a high‑paying, exciting career in the industry....and you are already connected to UPS, who offers highly competitive industry pay.  

Prospective Students

Students in this pathway are enrolled in Jefferson Community and Technical College’s Industrial Maintenance Technology program, and we encourage all prospective students to explore JCTC’s website to learn more about the industry, required skills, and future job opportunities. 

JCPS High School students currently participating in Advanced Manufacturing Career Pathways such as Industrial Maintenance Technician, Automation Engineering, or Electrical Technician within Jefferson County Public Schools are strongly encouraged to pursue this pathway, as it offers a continuous and seamless transition from high school preparation to employment in the advanced manufacturing field.

JCTC students in the Engineering and Electronics Technology (ELT) program can also be strong candidates for this pathway. Their coursework, such as Electric Circuits I & II, Digital I & II, and Electronics Devices I & II, aligns well with roles at UPS, including maintenance and technician positions. The program’s mix of daytime and eight‑week courses, along with opportunities to take industrial maintenance classes alongside industrial maintenance students, provides flexibility for students to complete the required technical sequence within one year. 

To learn more about this pathway, contact George Scott, MC Student Success Counselor for more information.