After going through the careers coarse i have learned what it takes to become an automotive technician and what type of person is right for the job. I believe that my interest, values, skills, and intelligence will help me with the career I am wanting to pursue.
With a passion for cars and loving to get my hands dirty this should make me a good choice for this career. For example I have been helping my grandfather with his 1952 Chevrolet that he bought and has been restoring for about 7 years. This has been a major part of why I have wanted to become an automotive technician. This is an important part of any career because your interest and hobbies are a big factor of what you want to do once your finished schooling. This is so important because if you don't love what your doing as a job then maybe you need to check what your interest are and base your future career on that. Before you go into a job you have to make sure that your eligible and that you have the right skills for the job. Having the right skills is key especially when in choosing a career. You need to keep this in mind because you don't want to apply for a job that's in accounting and you've never done much accounting. its not just about having the specific skills towards a job you also need to have the essential skills that everyone needs to be successful. Skills such as basic math, English, communication and listening skills, these are all mandatory skills that every person should have when choosing their career or getting a job. Taken from my career path so far, Ive grown up with a passion for cars and the auto industry. I have made sure that along the way I receive the right skills that will make me successful such as oil changes, changing tires and all the basic skills that i will need to ensure that I can perform my job at the required level. Now each person has there different learning style that is suited to them. These leaning styles separates us all and makes us who we are. With myself being a kinesthetic/ visual learner I find that this has a major impact at why I have chosen the career i want to pursue. Being a kinesthetic and visual learner it fits with what I am wanting to do which is be an automotive technician. Going into this field its good when you learn this way because your working with your hands and by being a kinesthetic learner it just comes naturally. the visual learning is helpful when your learning how to use a new piece of machinery or a new technique on how to do things. By also being a visual learner you will be able to take the visualization on how to do the new thing you just learned and put it to use.
Having all these learning styles and the right skills are a great thing to have but you have to start looking out for your future and what things in and out of school you are goin to need to make you that much more experienced and increase your chances of future employment of your dream career. For myself I am currently taking automotive coarses at highschool and going towards an apprenticeship in automotive and looking forward at taking the motive power course that is out of Fanshawe College once i have graduated highschool. Out of school I have helped my grandfather restore a car and have learned alot from him since he was in fact auto teacher. However with his restoration project now pretty much complete I am looking forward a little project of my own. Now that I am 16 and have gotten my G1 and planning on gettin my full G in the near future. I have thought that once I gather up enough money that i would buy my first car and start a project of making customizations on that car. by doing this i hope to accomplish even more skills and experience to help me along with my career.
For the future I have some hopes and dreams that i'd like to see happen. Once I have completed my schooling, gotten all the skills that I need to help me and the knowledge I hope to be working somewhere doing something that I absolutely love with a great salary to support the family that I will probably start in many years and the family that I had growing up. I hope to keep in touch with the many friends I had through my school days and make new friends through my job and potentially neighbours once I buy my first home in whatever city, town or village I might be living in. By that time I could see myself with a car that I have only been able to dream about in my garage along with tools so that I am able tofix my own vehicle when needed. I also have a dream that some day I could open up my own shop where I can specialize in something like car customizations, race cars/drift cars.
In conclusion my career that I have chosen seems to be a perfect fit for me and could open oppurtunities for me in the future to have what I think would be the perfect adult life. If I follow the path that I have planned out so far I find that I will succeed and I will know when I have succeeded and became successful when I wake up everyday and is anxious to get to the job I love to dowhich is to help the everyday person keep their vehicle in top running order.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Job Description
These technicians also called mechanics would have a passion for automobiles and is the sort of person that enjoys figuring out how machines work by taking them apart and putting it back together. The main duties of an automotive technician is to maintain and repair vehicles. Technicians can be specified to a certain make of car i.e Chevy while others service all makes and models. Today technician's have a much more difficult job due to the complex multiple on-board computers and electronic systems. With technologies becoming more complex in today's vehicle's some technician's decide to specialize in certain fields of repair. This includes things such as engines, brakes, fuel systems or electrical and electronic systems. Whatever their specialty, technician's key responsibility is diagnosing and repairing automotive problems.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
- Work on cars you love
- Income and benefits
- Satisfaction of job well done
- Useful skills
- Employment outlook
Disadvantages
- Varied cars
- Customer irritation
- Physical stress
- Exposure to dangerous chemicals
- Dangerous machinery
Trends
In the future the demand for technician's will grow. This is due to the technician population getting older, which means that the demand to replace these technician's after they retire is going to be greatly needed. With the population of technician's going to be decreasing the thought of bringing in robots comes into mind. However with the work that has to be done to use it would be insufficient. The only problem that will occur in the future is the computers that are in the vehicles. This is because as the years go on, technology is becoming way more complex and with this newer technology vehicle computers will become more complex as well. Now with the technologies getting more technical more training is going to have to be done. Once you have that training though you could be able to get a job working any where in the world, either teaching how to fix or tune these new vehicle computers. Being a technician isn't just all about computers, its also about being able to diagnose and fix any problem with a vehicle. For this being in top fit shape is a requirement. This is so that when heavy lifting or excessive force is needed you are able to still do the job. If you happen to run into a problem when either diagnosing or repairing, service manuals or the Internet can be a useful to when in need of help. With this you need to be able to get the information you need very quickly which means that the speed of getting the information you need has to be quick. Now that environment issues are becoming a major concern the need to do our part is key. Making sure to discard waste materials properly is a must and to make sure that the cars you service are in good condition so that they don't highly pollute the atmosphere.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Working Conditions
Many technician's work for car dealers, independent repair shops or gasoline service stations. Others can be employed at automotive service facilities at department, automotive or home supply stores. Large number of technician's maintain automobile fleets for government vehicles, utility companies, taxicabs and rental cars. A technician will typically work 8-10 hours a day and between 40-50 hours a week. Due to customer service element and the volume of repairs that are needed technician's will often work 1 day on a weekend. They can also get somewhere between 6-15 vacation days a year depending on their seniority. With the conditions that technicians have to go through there is a must that they are physically fit and agile for them to move under, over and inside vehicles. Technician's must also endure loud shop noises and strong fumes from pollutants and fumes.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Education
To become a certified automotive technician, a 3-5 year apprenticeship is required in all Canadian provinces except Quebec. An apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training with a specific amount of in-class instructions. Your certification must include, completed courses in math, science and English. High school graduation is a must. After the training period, apprentices may be required to pass a provincial exam to become certified. Among these good physical health and work ethic are necessary. You can also take a "Motive Power" coarse through Fanshawe College. Personal skills include being logical and analytical and having good reading and communication skills. It is also very important that technician's have a good understanding of computers and technology due to computer systems becoming more complicated. Finally once you have become fully certified in your province you can then apply for your Red Seal. This allows you to be able to work anywhere in the country without having to re-certify.
Motive Power @ Fanshawe
The motive power course that is offered at Fanshawe College in London is an accelerated diploma program. This program is a total of forty-eight weeks in length that is then divided into three sequential semesters. This program is designed so that graduates will develop essential advanced technical, organizational, interpersonal, administrative, and managerial skills which are required for the automotive service industry. You will also be provided with progressive and comprehensive learning experiences on internal combustion spark ignition engines, powertrain and related modern vehicle systems. Graduates of this program can find job opportunities in oil companies, industrial, commercial and passenger vehicle manufacturing and car dealers service departments.
Admission Requirements
OSSD with courses from the College (C), University (U), University/College (U/C), or Open (O) stream
OR
Academic and Career Entrance Certificate (ACE)*
OR
Pre-Technology Ontario College Certificate*
OR
Ontario High School Equivalency Certificate (GED)
OR
Mature Applicant with appropriate preparation
Recommended Academic Preparation
Any Grade 12 Mathematics (C) or (U)
Grade 11 or Grade 12 Transportation Technology (C)
Grade 11 or Grade 12 Technological Design (U/C)
Any Grade 11 or Grade 12 Business Studies (C), (U/C), or (O)
Grade 11 or Grade 12 Physics OR Chemistry (C) or (U)
Basic Computer Skills
It is recommended that students in the Academic and Career Entrance Certificate (ACE) program take a Technical or Apprenticeship Mathematics course and a Computer Skills course within the ACE program.
Admission Requirements
OSSD with courses from the College (C), University (U), University/College (U/C), or Open (O) stream
OR
Academic and Career Entrance Certificate (ACE)*
OR
Pre-Technology Ontario College Certificate*
OR
Ontario High School Equivalency Certificate (GED)
OR
Mature Applicant with appropriate preparation
Recommended Academic Preparation
Any Grade 12 Mathematics (C) or (U)
Grade 11 or Grade 12 Transportation Technology (C)
Grade 11 or Grade 12 Technological Design (U/C)
Any Grade 11 or Grade 12 Business Studies (C), (U/C), or (O)
Grade 11 or Grade 12 Physics OR Chemistry (C) or (U)
Basic Computer Skills
It is recommended that students in the Academic and Career Entrance Certificate (ACE) program take a Technical or Apprenticeship Mathematics course and a Computer Skills course within the ACE program.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Salary
Most full-time technician's can earn between $25,000 to $60,000 a year. However technician's with higher skills can earn up to more than $100,000 a year in some cases. Rather then a yearly salary most auto technicians earn an hourly wage. This wage can vary from $10 an hour up to $30 an hour depending on their level of experience and expertise. In some repair shops technicians can receive a commission that's related to the labour cost charged to the customer. Under this scheme weekly earnings can depend on the amount of work that the technician completes. However employers guarantee a minimum weekly wage. Apprentices usually start out earning a percentage of what a full technician earns. The more experience that they get they receive a gradual wage increase. Technician's that own their own shop are able to right their own salaries based on sales and performance.
Suggested Highschool Subjects
English x4
Mathematics x4
Science x2
Social Studies x3
Business x4
French x1
Creative Arts x1
Personal & Career Development x1
Entreprenuership x1
Health & Physical Education x1
Automotive Technology x3
Chemistry x2
Physics x2
Electronics & Communications Technology x3
Mathematics x4
Science x2
Social Studies x3
Business x4
French x1
Creative Arts x1
Personal & Career Development x1
Entreprenuership x1
Health & Physical Education x1
Automotive Technology x3
Chemistry x2
Physics x2
Electronics & Communications Technology x3
Sample Career Path
LEVEL 1
Apprentice Technician
EARNINGS
Minimum wage to $30,000 a year
REQUIREMENTS
• Completion of grade 12 or its equivalent (math, science, and English are required courses)
RESPONSIBILITIES
Working under the supervision of a certified technician; watching and assisting in automotive repair; having work supervised and approved by certified technician.
LEVEL 2
Certified Automotive Service Technician (Journeyperson)
EARNINGS
$30,000 to $45,000 a year
REQUIREMENTS
• Successful completion of an apprenticeship • Certification with provincial government • Upgraded courses, such as diesel endorsement
RESPONSIBILITIES
Repairing and maintaining motor vehicles; working on both engine and body overhaul; knowledge of a variety of makes and models; teaching apprentices when necessary.
LEVEL 3
Foreperson
EARNINGS
$45,000 to $60,000 a year
REQUIREMENTS
• Many years of experience as a certified technician • Excellent diagnostic and repair abilities • Knowledge of business administration and management of an automotive shop
RESPONSIBILITIES
Assigning work duties to technicians; acting as a liaison between staff and management; supervising certain areas of a garage; reporting to service advisor; providing customer service.
LEVEL 4
Service Advisor
EARNINGS
$50,000 to $60,000 a year
REQUIREMENTS
• Management position which requires the ability to oversee all areas of a garage
RESPONSIBILITIES
Assigning work duties to forepersons; acting as a liaison between staff and management; supervising all areas of garage; providing customer service and accountability of repairs and costs to customer vehicles.
Apprentice Technician
EARNINGS
Minimum wage to $30,000 a year
REQUIREMENTS
• Completion of grade 12 or its equivalent (math, science, and English are required courses)
RESPONSIBILITIES
Working under the supervision of a certified technician; watching and assisting in automotive repair; having work supervised and approved by certified technician.
LEVEL 2
Certified Automotive Service Technician (Journeyperson)
EARNINGS
$30,000 to $45,000 a year
REQUIREMENTS
• Successful completion of an apprenticeship • Certification with provincial government • Upgraded courses, such as diesel endorsement
RESPONSIBILITIES
Repairing and maintaining motor vehicles; working on both engine and body overhaul; knowledge of a variety of makes and models; teaching apprentices when necessary.
LEVEL 3
Foreperson
EARNINGS
$45,000 to $60,000 a year
REQUIREMENTS
• Many years of experience as a certified technician • Excellent diagnostic and repair abilities • Knowledge of business administration and management of an automotive shop
RESPONSIBILITIES
Assigning work duties to technicians; acting as a liaison between staff and management; supervising certain areas of a garage; reporting to service advisor; providing customer service.
LEVEL 4
Service Advisor
EARNINGS
$50,000 to $60,000 a year
REQUIREMENTS
• Management position which requires the ability to oversee all areas of a garage
RESPONSIBILITIES
Assigning work duties to forepersons; acting as a liaison between staff and management; supervising all areas of garage; providing customer service and accountability of repairs and costs to customer vehicles.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
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