Parts Technician
Parts Technicians manage and dispense parts inventories, which may include automotive, heavy duty, farm implement, industrial, recreational vehicle, jobbers, plumbing, electrical, etc.
Parts Technicians may be responsible for stock handling, warehousing, identifying and cataloguing parts and assemblies as well as ordering, receiving, inspecting, sorting, pricing and selling, depending on business areas.
The specific duties a parts technician performs depend upon the size of the wholesale, retail or warehouse distribution business and the types of parts involved. Some businesses specialize in one line of equipment such as a particular line of automotive parts; others stock parts for several makes of machinery as well as a wide variety of hardware supplies.
In general, a Parts Technician:
- sells supplies and parts
- orders parts and keeps inventories
- receives supplies and stores them according to a prearranged system
- organizes and ships exchange parts and returns
- keeps price lists and catalogues updated
- prepares statements
- submits bills
- keeps records
- receives payments
Parts Technicians must be knowledgeable in the use of all in-house equipment, including computers, calculators, facsimile (fax) and materials handling equipment, and be able to contribute to the operation and principles of operation of the business.
Parts Technicians may work indoors or outdoors, which may include working in storerooms where large inventories of parts are kept, usually on rows of shelves or in bins. Working hours vary depending on the industry.
Qualifications
To be successful in their trade, Parts Technicians need:
- the ability to deal effectively and courteously with the public even in difficult situations
- basic math skills
- the ability to life in excess of 25 kilograms
- the ability to pay careful attention to details such as parts catalogues and electronic inventory systems
This occupation is most rewarding for those who enjoy variety, working with people, working in their area of expertise and participating in the customer's success.
In Alberta, the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act requires that anyone working as a Parts Technician be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyman or hold a recognized trade certificate. To enter the Parts Technician apprenticeship program administered by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, applicants must have at least Alberta Grade 10 education (or pass the entrance exam), and find an appropriate employer who is willing to hire and train an apprentice. Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates and may select apprentices from among their current employees. Some employers require their parts technicians to have working experience with the type of product sold so they can answer customer questions about product use.
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 three years (three 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training in the first year and a minimum of 1575 hours of on-the-job training and 6 weeks of technical training in the second and third year. An applicant who previously completed courses of study or work experience related to the Parts Technician trade 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. For more detailed information, contact your local Canada Employment Centre. After successfully completing the required examinations and hours of employment, apprentices are awarded a Journeyman Certificate.
Graduate apprentices who pass an approved Interprovincial exam qualify for the Interprovincial Red Seal which means their trade qualifications are recognized throughout most of Canada.
Employment and Advancement
Parts Technicians are employed by wholesale and retail businesses and warehouse distributors that deal with all types of parts. Apprentice Parts Technicians may begin working as stock or receiving clerks or drivers. As they become acquainted with the different parts and their applications and the stockroom system, they can be promoted to parts counter positions.
Experienced parts technicians who have business and technical experience may advance to supervisory positions such as parts department manager, store manager or even store owner. With some sales experience, parts technicians can move into sales representative positions.
For more information about the Parts Technician Apprenticeship program, 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.