A Career in Automotive Service
Automotive Service Technician: An Introduction
Customer Service Departments are assuming an increasingly central role in most sectors, from industry giants and medium-sized companies to small businesses and start-ups. The automotive sector is no exception; customer service in the automotive industry is very important. Vehicle owners today place a significantly high premium on after-sales experience and customer satisfaction. It is evident that these factors, in turn, also influence their overall perceptions of a brand, and the decision to buy. In fact, the industry is focusing more and more attention (and investments) to improve the relationship with customers.
It is in this context that the role of an Automotive Service Technician becomes critical. Automotive Service Technicians inspect, maintain, and repair automobiles and light trucks that run on gasoline, electricity, or alternative fuels, such as ethanol. They perform basic care maintenance, such as oil changes and tire rotations; diagnose more complex problems, and plan and execute vehicle repairs.
However, their responsibilities have evolved from simple mechanical repairs to high-level technology-related work. Today, integrated electronic systems and complex computers regulate vehicles and their performance while on the road. This increasing sophistication of automobiles requires workers who can use computerized shop equipment and work with electronic components while maintaining their skills with traditional hand tools.
However, their responsibilities have evolved from simple mechanical repairs to high-level technology-related work. Today, integrated electronic systems and complex computers regulate vehicles and their performance while on the road. This increasing sophistication of automobiles requires workers who can use computerized shop equipment and work with electronic components while maintaining their skills with traditional hand tools.
Automotive Service Technician: Career Pathway
Automotive service technicians maintain, repair, and inspect cars, light trucks, and other vehicles. In doing so they undertake the following tasks:
- Identify problems, often by using computerized diagnostic equipment
- Plan work procedures, using charts, technical manuals, and experience
- Test parts and systems to ensure that they work properly
- Follow checklists to ensure that all critical parts are examined
- Perform basic care and maintenance, including changing oil, checking fluid levels, and rotating tires
- Repair or replace worn parts, such as brake pads, wheel bearings, and sensors, wheel balancing
- Perform repairs to manufacturer and customer specifications
- Explain automotive problems and repairs to clients
The Competencies Needed by an Automotive Service Technician
Diagnosing the source of a problem quickly and accurately and then fixing it requires a thorough knowledge of automobiles and several competencies.
These competencies are:
- Reading and understanding digital manuals and reference materials.
- Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
- Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Gathering an increasingly broad knowledge of how vehicles’ complex components work and interact.
- Maintenance and repair of automotive electronic systems.
| Education Pathway | ||
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Some Colleges | |
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B.Voc. (Automotive) B.Voc, (Automobiles) B.Voc (Automobile Electricals and Electronics) |
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