They worked in a wide variety of places, including factories, hospitals, hotels, office and apartment buildings, schools, and shopping malls. Some are employed as contractors to a building or plant. Stationary engineers work throughout the country, generally in the more heavily populated areas where large industrial and commercial establishments are located. In addition, a good background can be obtained in the Navy or the Merchant Marine because marine engineering plants are similar to many stationary power and heating plants. The increasing complexity of the equipment with which they work has made a high school diploma or its equivalent necessary.
Many stationary engineers have some college education.
Apprenticeship programs are sponsored by the International Union of Operating Engineers, the principal union to which stationary engineers belong. Mechanical aptitude, manual dexterity, and good physical condition also are important. An apprenticeship usually lasts 4 years. Those who acquire their skills on the job usually start as helpers to experienced stationary engineers or as boiler tenders. This practical experience may be supplemented by postsecondary vocational training in computerized controls and instrumentation.