[coffeecalifa]

Would love to get feedback on best places to train and/or best way to get into technical maintenance field for high end espresso machines (La Marzocco, etc). Is this best done through the manufacturers? distributors? Specialty coffee companies? A dear friend with many years experience as an aircraft mechanic wants to transition into this field. Can it be called a field? Are there good, reputable programs out there? Is there any certification that is required and means something to customers/employers? Where to get started? Any info, referrals, insights much appreciated.

[Spyder]

I highly recommend you join Barista Exchange - the world's premiere online community for the specialty coffee industry and post your inquiry there. There are some tech guys that hang out there and can point you/your friend in the right direction. If someone is in a largely populated area with plenty of shops I'd say there's a need for this service. Personally I'm self-taught on everything I do and service all my equipment. Of course not everybody has that aptitude.

[coffeecalifa]

Thanks for the suggestion. Will give it a shot.