Automotive Service Technician
Automotive Service Technicians perform preventative maintenance, diagnose faulty operation and repair automotive vehicles and light trucks.
Automotive Service Technicians adjust, test and repair engines, steering systems, braking systems, drive trains, vehicle suspensions, electrical systems, air conditioning systems, and do wheel alignments. In large shops, they sometimes specialize in repairing, rebuilding and servicing specific parts (e.g braking systems, suspension and steering systems). In small shops, Automotive Service Technicians may work on a wider variety of repair jobs.
Automotive Service Technicians begin by reading the work order and examining the vehicle. To locate the cause of faulty operation and repair it, they:
- use testing equipment, take the vehicle for a test drive, and /or refer to manufacturers' specifications and manuals
- dismantle faulty assemblies, repair or replace worn or damaged parts
- reassemble, adjust and test the repaired mechanism.
Automotive Service Technicians also may:
- perform scheduled maintenance service such as oil changes, lubrications, and tune ups
- advise customers on work performed, general vehicle conditions, and future repair requirements.
Most Automotive Service Technicians work a 40-hour, five-day week. Some evening, weekend or holiday work may be required. The work is sometimes noisy and dirty, and there is some risk of injury involved in working with power tools and near exhaust gases.
Qualifications
To be successful in the trade, Automotive Service Technicians need:
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good hearing, eyesight and manual dexterity
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mechanical aptitude and interest
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the ability to lift between 11 and 25 kilograms
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the ability to keep up to date with changing technology.
A working knowledge of electricity, electronics and computers is an asset.
The work is most rewarding for those who prefer work that is varied and challenging. Also, they usually like on-the-job security and a feeling of independence.
In Alberta, the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act requires that anyone working in this trade must be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyman, or hold a recognized trade certificate. To enter the Automotive Service Technician apprenticeship program, applicants must have a pass mark in Applied Math 20 or 23, English Language Arts 20-2 and Science 10 or equivalent education (or pass an entrance exam), and find an appropriate employer who is willing to hire and train an apprentice. Employers generally prefer to hire high school or post-secondary program graduates, and may select apprentices from among their current employees. Automotive Service Technicians provide their own hand tools so apprentices should begin purchasing tool as soon as they start in the trade.
To register, the apprentice and the employer complete an application form together and submit it to the closest Apprenticeship and Industry Training office located at most Alberta Career Development Centres and Canada Alberta Service Centres. Once the application is approved, a contract is drawn up and signed by the apprentice and the employer.
The term of apprenticeship is four years (four 12-month periods with a minimum of 1500 hours of employment each year). In addition to the on-the-job training, the term also requires eight weeks of classroom training for each year. An applicant who has successfully completed related courses of study or work experience or holds a related journeyman certificate, and has the employer's recommendation, may qualify for credit that could reduce the term of apprenticeship.
The classroom training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is offered at Red Deer College. When apprentices attend training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies. Human Resources Development Canada may provide income support for apprentices attending classroom training.
Graduate apprentices who pass an approved Interprovincial examination qualify for the Interprovincial Red Seal which means their trade qualifications are recognized throughout most of Canada.
Employment and Advancement
Automotive Service Technicians are employed by automotive repair shops, specialty repair shops, service facilities, car and truck dealerships, and by large organizations that own fleets of vehicles.
Experienced Automotive Service Technicians may advance to service manager or shop foreman. Some Automotive Service Technicians open their own garages, service stations, or automobile performance shops. With additional training, Automotive Service Technicians can transfer their skills to related occupations such as automotive instructor, partsman, agricultural technician or heavy duty technician.
For more information about the Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship Programs, please contact Trades and Manufacturing at Red Deer College 403.342.3100, or Apprenticeship and Industry Training 403.340.5151
You can also find more information at
www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca.