A new school year can be the beginning of much more than another semester. For high school students exploring the trades, college students building technical skills, and adult learners preparing for a career change, it can be the first step toward a career in commercial kitchen equipment service.
The classroom provides an important foundation, but success in the trades also comes from curiosity, consistency, communication, and hands-on experience. We asked three Pride Commercial Appliance Service technicians what advice they would give students preparing to enter the industry.
Their answers show that becoming a successful technician is not only about what you know today. It is also about how willing you are to show up, participate, and keep learning.
Start With the Habits That Matter
Technical skills take time to develop. Reliability and attitude, however, are qualities students can begin practicing right away.
Service Tech Jayden encourages students to take responsibility for their attendance, arrive ready to learn, and continue studying outside the classroom:
“I would say to be on time and show up every day. Have a good attitude. And be sure to ask questions and do research when you are not working. There is so much out there on Youtube and tiktok, go find it!”
Service Tech Trever offered similar advice, with an added focus on communication:
“My advice would be to show up on time, learn how to communicate and ask questions!”
These habits may sound simple, but they can have a real impact in the field. Commercial service technicians work with customers, dispatchers, parts teams, other technicians, manufacturers, and facility personnel. Showing up on time and communicating clearly help everyone work together.
At PrideCAS we believe that a good attitude always makes it easier to learn! At Pride, new technicians are not expected to know everything, but they should be prepared to listen, ask thoughtful questions, and learn from the people around them.
1. Build a Strong Technical Foundation
Students entering the commercial service field should work toward a basic understanding of electricity and mechanical systems. Those fundamentals help technicians make sense of how each piece of equipment operates and gives them a starting point for troubleshooting.
Service tech Larry explains:
“To be successful in this industry some skills you should have are basic electricity and basic mechanical knowledge. You should also know that a majority of the learning that is done is this industry is by getting your hands on things and getting involved and see how things work firsthand.”
No matter what level of program you are attending, take the fundamentals seriously. Understanding electrical circuits and mechanical operation can help you build the problem-solving skills needed in the field.
2. Get Involved and Learn by Doing
All of our technicians’ advice points toward one common lesson: active participation matters!
Commercial kitchen equipment service is hands-on work. Technicians encounter cooking equipment, refrigeration equipment, dishwashing equipment, ice machines, and food preparation equipment in a wide range of commercial settings. Each daily service call presents a different problem to investigate.
That variety means there is always something new to learn. It also means students should take every available opportunity to work directly with equipment.
During labs, do more than watch someone else complete the assignment. Volunteer to test components, follow wiring diagrams, take readings, use tools, and trace how a system operates. If you do not understand why something happened, ask.
Mistakes made in a supervised learning environment can become valuable lessons when students take the time to understand them.
3. Ask Questions Without Being Afraid to Be New
No one starts a technical career with every answer. Which means you do not need to enter the industry knowing how to diagnose every piece of equipment. You do need a foundation you can continue building upon.
We recommend asking good questions to show that you are paying attention and want to understand the work. When possible, try to ask questions that help you connect an action to its purpose:
What led you to test that component?
What should this reading normally be?
What symptoms pointed you in this direction?
How did you rule out another possible cause?
What safety steps are required before working on this system?
Where can I learn more about this equipment?
By listening carefully to the answers, taking notes, and looking for opportunities to apply what you learned, you are sure to take positive steps forward!
4. Continue Learning Outside the Classroom
Formal education is valuable, but learning does not have to stop when class ends.
As Jayden noted, online videos can give students another way to see tools, components, and technical concepts in action. Manufacturer materials, service manuals, wiring diagrams, trade publications, and reputable educational videos can all reinforce classroom instruction.
However, we urge all to be thoughtful about the information you find. Not every social media video follows appropriate technical or safety practices. Be sure to compare what you find with your coursework, manufacturer guidance, and the instruction provided by qualified teachers and experienced technicians.
The goal is not to replace a formal education. It is to become more curious and engaged in it.
How to Get Started in the Commercial Kitchen Equipment Industry?
There is no single path into commercial kitchen equipment service. The best next step depends on where you are starting!
For High School Students
If your school offers a BOCES, career and technical education, HVAC/R, electrical, or mechanical program, explore it. These programs can provide exposure to tools and systems while helping you decide whether the trade is right for you.
Focus on attendance, safety, communication, and participation. You are beginning to build both technical skills and the work habits employers look for.
For College and Trade School Students
Use your time in school to strengthen your understanding of electricity, refrigeration, and mechanical systems. Take advantage of lab time and seek internships, co-ops, apprenticeships, or ride-along opportunities.
Try to understand why a system works, not just how to complete a specific assignment. That deeper understanding can make it easier to troubleshoot unfamiliar equipment later.
For Adult Learners and Career Changers
Previous work experience can bring valuable skills into the trades. Reliability, customer service, organization, communication, and problem-solving all matter in commercial service.
Be comfortable starting as a learner. Ask questions, practice the fundamentals, and look for opportunities to gain supervised field experience. Changing careers does not mean starting without value. It means combining what you already know with a new technical skill set.
See the Work Firsthand at PrideCAS
Pride Commercial Appliance Service offers structured ride-alongs for people who want an honest, firsthand look at the work. Participants spend a day in the field alongside an experienced technician to see the equipment, customer environments, and daily responsibilities involved in commercial kitchen equipment service.
PrideCAS also works with New York State BOCES programs to facilitate co-op placements and connects with local trade schools and colleges.
Students and career changers can learn more about ride-alongs, mentorship, hands-on work, apprenticeships, and current openings on the PrideCAS Careers page.
Contact Pride CAS for Information on Starting a Career as a Commercial Food Service Equipment Technician in Upstate New York Today
Pride Commercial Appliance Service provides commercial repair, maintenance, and installation services throughout Upstate New York. Headquartered in Rochester with a second office in the Capital Region and satellite technicians serving Syracuse and Buffalo, we work exclusively with commercial operations.
If you are interested in learning more about what it takes to build a career in the commercial services industry, contact PrideCAS at 585-738-9215 or PrideCAS-Careers@pridecas.com.
PrideCAS services commercial equipment only. We do not service residential appliances.
Pride Commercial Appliance Service provides the following benefits to employees: – Benefits: Medical, dental, Simple IRA with 3% matching, paid holidays, PTO, and company-sponsored life insurance. – Tools: Company service vehicles, cell phones, uniform stipend, and a dedicated parts team.
What is a PrideCAS ride-along?
A PrideCAS ride-along allows someone interested in the trade to spend a day in the field with an experienced technician. It provides a firsthand look at how PrideCAS technicians work, the environments they visit, and the types of commercial kitchen equipment they encounter.
Ride-alongs are available to both people new to the trade and experienced professionals considering their next career move.
What Appliances does a PrideCAS Technician Work on?
PrideCAS technicians work with a wide variety of commercial kitchen equipment throughout Upstate New York. A typical day may include several service calls at different customer locations, while larger repairs and installations can last a full day or extend across multiple weeks.
Depending on the project, technicians may work independently or alongside other members of the team.
Does PrideCAS Service Residential HVAC or Residential Appliances?
No. Pride Commercial Appliance Service works exclusively with commercial kitchen equipment. We do not service residential HVAC systems or residential appliances.
To learn more about what commercial services PrideCAS can provide, please visit our Services page!
