Go to a local hardware store. See how many different tools there are for each job. Pick the area of the store that interests you most and ask an employee more about the tools there.

Visit a hardware store and look around.

Try these quick projects from Khan Academy that you can do at home. Build a simple motor, a ping pong ball launcher, or something else from the list!

Develop mechanics knowledge with hands-on projects!

Read about benefits of manual labor. While these points are geared toward construction, they can apply to a whole variety of manual labor careers. Does manual labor seem like a path you're interested in?

Explore the benefits of manual labor.

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

Help installation, maintenance, and repair workers in maintenance, parts replacement, and repair of vehicles, industrial machinery, and electrical and electronic equipment. Perform duties such as furnishing tools, materials, and supplies to other workers; cleaning work area, machines, and tools; and holding materials or tools for other workers.

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Realistic

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Conventional

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Investigative

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Social

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Enterprising

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Artistic

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Miscellaneous Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

Other Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

Install or replace machinery, equipment, and new or replacement parts and instruments, using hand or power tools.

Examine and test machinery, equipment, components, and parts for defects to ensure proper functioning.

Tend and observe equipment and machinery to verify efficient and safe operation.

Adjust, connect, or disconnect wiring, piping, tubing, and other parts, using hand or power tools.

Clean or lubricate vehicles, machinery, equipment, instruments, tools, work areas, and other objects, using hand tools, power tools, and cleaning equipment.

Hold or supply tools, parts, equipment, and supplies for other workers.

Diagnose electrical problems and install and rewire electrical components.

Disassemble broken or defective equipment to facilitate repair and reassemble equipment when repairs are complete.

Position vehicles, machinery, equipment, physical structures, and other objects for assembly or installation, using hand tools, power tools, and moving equipment.

Transfer tools, parts, equipment, and supplies to and from work stations and other areas.

Atlas Construction Business Forms

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

HVAC tools software

Microsoft Outlook

Building automation software

Facility energy management software

Microsoft Office software

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Excel

Data logging software

Chain hoists

Hi-los

Power hoists

Automatic levels

Carpenter levels

Carpenters' levels

Torpedo levels

Air chisels

Jackhammers

Pneumatic hammers

Circular saws

Reciprocating saws

Saber saws

Phillips head screwdrivers

Straight screwdrivers

Wire strippers

Pipe cutters

Overhead cranes

Bosun chairs

Pipe threading machines

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

Every day

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Once a week or more but not every day

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

Never

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Once a month or more but not every week

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Continually or almost continually

More than half the time

About half the time

Less than half the time

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Extremely important

Very important

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

Very important results

Important results

Moderate results

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

Overview

Career

What Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers Do

Other Job Titles Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

Overview

Career

What Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers Do

Other Job Titles Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

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