BecominganAutomotiveServiceTechnician
Description
Becomingan automotive service technicianrequiresphysicalandmental perseverance,ambition, a willingnesstowork in adverseconditionsand awillingnessto take thenecessarystepstoeventuallyreachthelevelof a certifiedtradesman.Forthis Activity Planitissuggestedthat the studentswork ona smalllibrary researchassignment.
This assignmentshould not take morethan twoclasses;thegoal is forstudents to havesomeideaofthewide variety ofoptions and workingconditionsthat an automotive service technicianmay face.
LessonOutcomes
The student willbeableto:
•Recognizethatbecomingan automotiveservicetechnician takesyears ofhard work andeffort
•Haveagoodidea oftheworking conditionsof an automotiveservicetechnician
•Understandwhatis required,andthe orderof events necessary to becomean automotiveservice technician
Assumptions
Thestudentswillhavebeeninformedinadvancethatthis Activity Planmaterialinvolvescompleting a small researchassignment.
Terminology
Apprenticeship:theterm usedtodescribethe graduated step-likeprogress inbecominganautomotive service technician.
Automotive partsstore:an automotive business that primarily concentrates onsellingvariouspartsfromawide variety of manufacturers.
Automotivespecialty shop:arepair facilitythat specializes mainly inonetypeof repair, suchas a muffler andexhaustshop,oilchangeshop or tireshop.
Cardealership: a businessthat sellsvehicles, repairsvehicles andsells partsfor specificbrands of vehicles.
Flat rate:today’s mechanics areprimarilypaid on a flatratesystem.Thismeanstheyarepaidfor the quantity of work thattheycan produce, notbasedon anhourlywage.
Thisworkis licensedunder aCreativeCommonsAttribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike4.0InternationalLicenseunlessotherwiseindicated.
Fleet maintenance: a contractto a repair facilitythat maintains and repairs a fleet ofvehiclesownedbyanotherbusiness(e.g., a taxifleet or trucking fleet).
Independentgarage:abusinessthatprimarilyrepairsvehicles ofvariousdifferentmanufacturers.
Quicklubecentre: an automotive business that sellsregularly scheduled maintenancerequirements(e.g.,“McQuick”lubecentres).
RedSealInterprovincialTradesTicket: the qualificationdesignated to allowaperson toworkas a journeyman automotiveservicetechnician in anyprovincein Canada.
Repairfacility:a vehicle dealer,independent garage orservicestation.
Service station: abusiness that primarily repairs vehicles of various different manufacturersbut also sellsgas. Itisownedbythe oilor gascompany.
Vehicledealer: a businessthat sellsvehicles, repairsvehicles andsells partsfor specificbrands of vehicles.
EstimatedTime
1–2 hours
RecommendedNumberofStudents
20, basedontheBCTechnology Educators’Best PracticeGuide
Facilities
Computer lab or library lab
Resources
AutomotiveMechanic—WorkinginCanada
RedSealProgram
WorkBC
TradeNationalOccupationalAnalysis(NOA)—AutomotiveServiceTechnician
TradesandApprenticeship—EmploymentandSocialDevelopmentCanada(ESDC)
Careersintrades.ca
AdditionalResources
•Bringinaguestspeakerfrom the automotive trades.
•Organize a field trip:Bringingthe class intoan industry settingsuchas a busydealershipor independentgarage would bea great optional activity.
Activity
Theteacherwillgive a briefexplanationofthecomputerlabactivity.Theworksheetprovidedisdesignedtotakeapproximately1–2hours.Thereareseveralwebsiteslisted on thesheetthatstudentsaredirectedtoforanswers. Some reflectivequestionsarealsoasked.Theseanswersarenot found on any particularwebsite.Theyaredesigned togetstudents thinkinga littledeeper about working as an ASTandwhattheyhavelearned inthisassignment.
PreparingtoBecomeanAutomotiveServiceTechnician
1.What type of shop courses wouldyoutake in highschool ifyouwereinterested inbecoming anautomotiveservicetechnician?
2.What type of academic courses would youtake in highschool ifyouwereinterested inbecoming anautomotiveservicetechnician?
3.Do you need yourgrade 12graduation in orderto becomean automotiveservicetechnician?
4.List three differentactivities or hobbies athomethatwould help you become an automotiveservicetechnician.
a.
b.
c.
5.What type of peoplewould you talk to or question ifyouwere interested inbecoming anautomotiveservicetechnician?
6.List three different part-timejobsthat would assist you in becomingan automotive servicetechnician.
a.
b.
c.
7.List three different full-timejobsthat would assist you in becomingan automotive servicetechnician,other thanfull-time automotive mechanic positions.
a.
b.
c.
8.What qualities, skills or talentswoulda prospective employerwant to recognizein youiftheywere toconsidergiving you an apprenticeship tobecome an automotive servicetechnician?
AutomotiveServiceTechnicianApprenticeshipTraining
Answerstoquestions1and2canbefoundat
1.Whatis an apprenticeship?
2.Are youinterestedin a career asanAST? Explain youranswer.
Answerstoquestions3–5canbefoundat
Search for AutomotiveServiceTechnician, then open the ProgramProfile.
3.How manyyears ofapprenticeship does ittake tobecome an automotive servicetechnician?
4.How manyweeksof technical training do I need to doduring myapprenticeship tobecomean automotiveservicetechnician?
5.How manyhoursof on-the-job training do I need to doduring myapprenticeship tobecomean automotiveservicetechnician?
Answerstoquestion6canbefoundat
6.WhereinBritishColumbia canI completethetechnical trainingportionof theapprenticeshiptraining?(Listfourseparatelocations.)
a.
b.
c.
d.
National OccupationalAnalysis (NOA) and Red Seal Certification
Answerstoquestions1–4canbefoundat
includingtheinformation specifically for students.
1.WhatarethefiveobjectivesoftheNationalOccupationalAnalysis(NOA)?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
2.List three out of theeight categories of informationthat the NOA outlines as vitalforeverytradesperson.
a.
b.
c.
3.WhatistheNOA’s code number(NOC)fortheautomotiveservicetechnician?
4.Namefivebenefitsofhaving a RedSeal Certification.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
5.In yourown words, whatadvantage wouldtherebe to yourhaving aRed Seal TradeCertification?
Answerstoquestions6and7canbefoundat
Trades/AutomotiveServiceTechnician/RedSealOccupationalStandard(RSOS).
6.Scroll throughthestandardtoolkitinAppendixB:ToolsandEquipment. On thebasisofthis list,what important commitment wouldyou need to makeif you decide tobecome anAST?
7.Scroll throughAppendixC:Glossary.Howmanyofthesetermsdoyoualready know?Thisis a smallnumberoftheacronymsanAST comes in contact with.Findoutwhatthefollowing additional acronyms stand for:
CVT:ABS: SAE: HC: VIN: TSB:
AutomotiveServiceTechnician
Answerstoquestions 1–10 canbefoundat
the video)
(Hint:Click on BrowseCareerProfilesbox partway downthepage.Thentypethe correct NOCcode intothebox.)
1.What aretheresponsibilities ofan automotive service technician?
2.As anAST,other than insidean automotive garage,what environments could you possiblyend up working in?
3.Listseveralwaysyou thinkthat coldcouldhavea negativeeffect on anAST,ifheor she isnot workinginside a heatedautomotive garage.
4.Besides working onvehiclesand having knowledgeabout them,what are three personalitytraitsthat areimportant tobesuccessfulas anAST?
a.
b.
c.
5.List four different areas wherean AST might work.
a.
b.
c.
d.
6.Whatkindof salary does an ASTmake?
7.Discuss ina sentenceortwo what you think the AST workenvironmentmight be like.
8.Describeeach of these required skills foran AST.
a.Manualdexterity
b.Spatialperception
c.Detail-oriented
d.Object-oriented
e.Motorcoordination
Answerstoquestion9canbefoundat
9.Listfiveother careers relatedtoAST.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
10.Chooseanytwoofthefive careers youlistedinquestion 9 andcompare/contrastthemwithanAST.Include skills, environmentand wagesin youranswer.
QuestionsonWorkplaceSafety
1.List three different activitieswhere you think an AST might getinjured.
a.
b.
c.
2.Do youthinkthatworkingasanASTis a safejob?Give a reasonforyouranswer.
3.Howdo you thinktheseinjuries couldbeprevented?
AnswerKey
PreparingtoBecomeanAutomotiveServiceTechnician
1.What type of shop courses would youtake in high schoolif you wereinterested inbecomingan automotiveservicetechnician?
•Anyshop course would be ofbenefit(workingwithyourhandsandtools)Howeverthefollowing courses would be particularly beneficial:
–Power Mechanics 9,10,
–Automotive 11,12
– Metalwork9,10,11,12
– Drafting9,10,11,12
2.What type of academic courses would youtake in highschool ifyouwereinterested inbecoming anautomotiveservicetechnician?
• Math11,12
•Chemistry11,12
•Physics11,12
•English 11,12
3.Do you need yourgrade12 graduation in ordertobecome an automotiveservice technician?
•Grade12isrecommended
4.List three differentactivities or hobbies athomethatwould help you become an automotiveservicetechnician.
•Answersmayvary.Possibleanswersinclude:
a.Workingonthe family car or boatengine
b.Working on lawnmowers or edge trimmers (weedwackers)
c.Fixinganythingthatneedsfixing(toaster,RCcar,etc.)
5.What type of peoplewould you talk to or question ifyouwere interested inbecoming anautomotiveservicetechnician?
•Parents,shopteacher, school counselor, school career counsellor,mechanicat a localgarage
6.List three different part-timejobsthat would assist you in becomingan automotive servicetechnician.
•Answersmayvary.Possibleanswersinclude:
a.Pumpinggas
b.Carwash
c.Lawnmowerrepairshop
7.List three different full-timejobsthat would assist you in becomingan automotive servicetechnician,other thanfull-time automotive mechanic positions.
•Answersmayvary.Possibleanswersinclude:
a.Mr.Lube/JiffyLube
b.Car saleslot
c.Autobody shop
8.What qualities, skills or talentswoulda prospective employerwant to recognizein youiftheywere to considergiving you an apprenticeshipto become an automotiveservicetechnician?
•Answersmayvary.Possibleanswersinclude:
–Good communicator—verbaland written
–Good withtools
–Some kindofrelatedexperience/interest
–Punctuality andcommitment
AutomotiveServiceTechnicianApprenticeshipTraining
Answerstoquestions1and2canbefoundat
1.Whatis an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeshipis aform of post-secondary trainingthat teachestheskillsandcompetenciesnecessary toperform taskstoanindustry standard. Apprenticeshiptraining provides theopportunity for hands-on learningunderthedirectionof a certifiedjourneyperson,with
theability to earnwhile you learn.Thetraining combines alternating periods ofon-the-job(80to85%)andtechnicaltraining(15to20%).Technicaltraining can occur at a college,
auniontraining centre, aprivate trainer oronline.Once theapprentice has completed therequiredhoursand/ormodulesforthetrade,theapprentice can write a certification exam.Apprenticeshipis regulated by the provinces and territories, with 13 uniquesystems gearedtothe labourmarket needsand conditions in each regionofCanada.
2.Are youinterestedin a career asanAST? Explain youranswer.
•Answerswill vary.
3.How manyyears ofapprenticeship does ittake to become an automotiveservicetechnician?
•Four years
4.How manyweeksof technical training do I need to doduring myapprenticeship tobecomean automotiveservicetechnician?
•Level1:210hours (7 weeks)
•Level2:180hours(6weeks)
•Level3:210hours (7 weeks)
•Level4:180hours(6weeks)
•Total:780hours(26weeks)
5.How manyhoursof on-the-job training do I need to doduring myapprenticeship tobecomean automotiveservicetechnician?
•Level1:1500 hours
•Level2:3000 hours
•Level3:4500 hours
•Level4:6000 hours
•Total: 15,000 hours
Answerstoquestion6canbefoundat
6.WhereinBritishColumbia canI completethe technicaltrainingportionoftheapprenticeshiptraining?(Listfourseparatelocations.)
a.LowerMainland:
–Vancouver Community College
–BCIT(Burnabycampus)
–UFV
–KwantlenPolytechnic
b.VancouverIsland:
–Camosun College (InterurbanCampus)
–Vancouver Island University (Nanaimo)
c.SouthernInterior:
–OkanaganCollege(Kelowna)
–College oftheRockies(Level 4 only)
–ThompsonRiversUniversity(Level 4 only)
d.NorthernInterior:
–NorthernLights College
–CollegeofNew Caledonia
–Northwest Community College
NationalOccupationalAnalysis(NOA)andRedSeal CertificationQuestions
Answerstoquestions1–4canbefoundat
includingtheinformation specifically for students.
1.WhatarethefiveobjectivesoftheNationalOccupationalAnalysis(NOA)?
a.Toidentify andgroup the tasks performedby skilled workersinparticular occupations
b.Toidentify thosetasksthatareperformedbyskilledworkersin every province andterritory
c.To develop instruments forusein thepreparation of interprovincial standards, Red Sealexaminationsand curricula fortrainingleadingtothe certification ofskilledworkers
d.Tofacilitatethe mobility, in Canada, of apprenticesandskilled workers
e.To supplyemployersand employees,andtheirassociations, industries,traininginstitutions and governmentswithanalyses ofthetasks performedinparticularoccupations
2.List three out of theeight categories of informationthat the NOA outlines as vitalforeverytradesperson.
•Tradeactivities(tasksandsub-tasks)
•Skills and knowledge requirements
•Essentialskills
•Safetyinformation
•Trendsaffecting the trade
•Technicalterms
•Names oftools and equipment
•Acronyms
3.WhatistheNOA’s code number(NOC)fortheautomotiveservicetechnician?
• NOC: 7321
4.Namefivebenefitsofhaving a RedSeal Certification.
a.TheRedSealisthenationalstandardofexcellenceforskilledtradesinCanada.
b.The Red Seal is a leadingendorsementforskilled workersin Canadaand provides atradesperson with a competitivehiring advantage.
c.ARed Sealendorsementis a nationally recognized standardthathelps tradespeopleobtaingood,well-payingjobs across Canada.
d.Inmanycases,achieving a certificate ofqualificationin a RedSealtradeisequalinvaluetothecompletionof college certification intermsoftradeknowledgeandskill.
e.Red Seal–endorsed tradespeople obtain easilytransferable skills,ideal for new workersinterested incareerdevelopment andindustry mobility.
5.In yourown words, whatadvantage wouldtherebe to yourhaving aRed Seal TradeCertification?
•Answerswill vary.
6.Scroll throughthestandardtoolkitinAppendix A: ToolsandEquipment. On thebasisofthislist, what important commitmentwould you need to make if you decideto becomeanAST?
•Youneed alotof toolsthat cost alotofmoney.
Note: Whendiscussingthisquestionwiththe classyou should clarify the following:mosttools in thestandard kit would be bought bytheAST. Most shop toolsand equipmentwould besupplied by the repair facility. Notalltoolsrequiredbythe AST need tobe boughtrightaway.ToolsboughtbyanASTcurrentlyaretaxdeductible.
7.Scroll throughAppendixB:Glossary.Howmanyofthesetermsdoyoualready know? This
is a smallnumberoftheacronymsanAST comes in contact with.Findoutwhatthefollowingadditionalacronyms standfor:
CVTcontinuously variable transmissionABSantilock braking system
SAESocietyof AutomotiveEngineersHCHydrocarbon
VINvehicleidentificationnumberDVOMdigitalvoltage ohmmeterTSBtechnical service bulletins
AutomotiveServiceTechnician
QuestionsfromtheWorkBCwebsiteAnswerstoquestions 1–10 canbefoundat the video)
(Hint1:Typeinthe correct NOC code in theCareerProfilesbox partway downthepage.)(Hint 2:Click on theplussign once you areintotheprofiletoexpandtheinformationboxes.)
1.What aretheresponsibilities ofan automotive service technician?
•ASTs inspect,diagnoseand repair vehicles,includingmechanical, electricaland electroniccomponents.
2.As anAST,other than insidean automotive garage,what environments could you possiblyend up working in?
•Outsideinall weather conditions. On the streetor sideofroad, ona boat, inthe dirtormud.
3.Listseveralwaysyou thinkthat coldcouldhavea negativeeffect on anAST,ifheor she isnot workinginside a heatedautomotive garage.
•Workingoutside on vehiclesthata)willnotstart or b)willnot fit intothegaragebecauseitis full of other cars
•Working on a cold floor (badfortheback)
•Workingwith cold metaltools or cold metalparts(badforthehands)
•Drafty and windyconditions
•Dressing properly—cannot be toobulky,stillneedflexibilityofhandsandbody
•Meltingsnow and ice dripping onto you
4.Besides working onvehiclesand having knowledgeabout them,what are three personalitytraitsthat areimportant tobesuccessfulas anAST?
a.Needto be able to troubleshootandsolve problems
b.Must beable towork independently or aspartof ateam
c.Needcustomerservice and communicationskills
5.List four different areas wherean AST might work.
•Vehicle dealerships
•Independentgarages
•Fleet maintenance companies
•Servicestations
•Automotive specialty shops(e.g., muffler or tireshops)
•Transportationcompanies
6.Whatkindof salary does an ASTmake?
•Provincialaverage salary $44,000–$53,000(Source:Census,2006)
•Provincialaverage full-time hourly rate:$12.75/hr–$35.00/hr(Source:WorkinginCanadaWageReport)
•Most ASTsarepaidat a flatrate.
7.Discuss ina sentenceortwo what you think the AST workenvironmentmight be like.
•35- to 40-hour work week; thismayinclude eveningsand/orweekends
•Canbea drafty,noisy and dirtyenvironment
•Involves considerablebending, kneelingand lifting
8.Describeeach of these required skills foran AST.
a.Manualdexterity
Can youmove andturn objectsskilfullywith yourhands?
•Theabilitytoskilfullyuse your hands.Youcan move andturn objectsanduse handtools.
•Use handsskilfully
•Manipulate objectswith yourhands
•Use handtools
•Move and turnobjects
•Sortobjects
b.Spatialperception
Can youdraw things accurately?
•Theability to perceiveor react tothe size, distance or depth of the environment
•Recognize size,distance or depth
•Canimagine a3Dform froma diagram
•Awareness of surrounding environment
•Theability to draw thingsaccurately
•Understandgeometry
c.Detail-oriented
Can you pick out differences intwo similar pictures?
•Theabilitytoseefinedetailsin objects
•Eye for detail
•Recognize smallparts
•See finedetailinobjects
•Visuallyperceptive
•Inspectobjects
d.Object-oriented
Do youlike tobuild and/orrepairthings?
•Youareinterestedinfindingouthowthingsoperateandhowtheyarebuilt.
•Interested inhow things work
•Maywork with tools, instrumentsandmachinery
•Liketobuildandrepairaccordingto specifications
e.Motorcoordination
Do youhavegood hand-eye coordination?
•Thecoordinationoflarge,smallandfinemotormovementsusingthebody(arms,legs,hands,etc.)
•Hand-eye coordination
•Gross andfinemotormovement
•Can take thingsapart and put themback together
Answerstoquestion9canbefoundat
9.Listfiveother careers relatedtoAST.
•Agricultural Equipment Technician
•AircraftMaintenanceMechanic
•AutoBody Repairer
•AutomotiveElectrical Technician
•Automotive Glass Technician
•AutomotivePainter
•HeavyDutyEquipment Technician
•HeavyEquipment Operator
•Inboard/OutboardMechanic
•MotorVehicleBodyRepairer(MetalandPaint)
•Motorcycle Mechanic
•Parts person
•Recreational Vehicle ServiceTechnician
•Small Engine and Equipment Mechanic
•Transport RefrigerationMechanic
•Transport TrailerTechnician
•Truck and Transport Mechanic
10.Chooseanytwoofthefive careers youlistedinquestion 9 andcompare/contrastthemwithanAST.Include skills, environmentand wagesin youranswer.
•Answerswill vary.
QuestionsonWorkplaceSafety
1.List three different activitieswhere you think an AST might getinjured.Answers mayvary,but could include:
•Working withharsh chemicalssuch assolvents
•Burns from hotengineparts or exhaust
•Crushed,broken,pinched or bruised hands/fingers/legs/toes from heavyengineparts
•Broken or skinned knuckles andfingers from slippingtools
•Hitting yourhandwith ahammerinstead ofthetool
•Getting electrical burns from wearingjewelleryandtouchinglivewires
•Getting chemicalburns from battery acid
•Getting arthritis inthefingers or wrist from overuse
•Beingcrushedbyacar falling offa jack, jackstands or hoist
•Other answers as deemed acceptable
2.Do youthinkthatworkingasanASTis a safejob?Give a reasonforyouranswer.
•Answerswill vary.
3.Howdo you thinktheseinjuries couldbeprevented?
•Answerswill vary.