Automotive Careers and Technician Certification

1
Automotive Careers and Technician Certification

• Chapter 2

2
Objectives

• Describe different automotive careers
• Understand some of the skill requirements of an
  automotive technician
• Know what kind of work is performed by
  technicians in the different automotive specialty
  areas
• Understand the different types of certification
  and licensing

3
Introduction

• Demand for technicians
• More than 240 million motor vehicles in the U.S.
• Today's automotive technician must be able to
  perform a multitude of tasks
• Repair and service of automobiles is challenging
  and rewarding

4
Automotive Career Opportunities

• Todays technicians usually start out in a
  technical education program in high school
• Todays gas stations are mostly self-service
• Lubrication specialist performs maintenance and
  safety services
• Dealerships perform inspections and warranty
  repairs
• Independent repair shops may specialize in one or
  more vehicle makes
• Technicians attend professional update classes

5
(No Transcript)
6
Operation of Large Shops

• Service manager
• Responsible for the operation of the service
  department
• Service writer /service advisor
• Writes the repair order for the job
• Service dispatcher
• Organizes the repair orders and dispatches them
  to technicians
• Shop foreman
• Keeps repair work on track

7
(No Transcript)
8
Fleet Shop

• Fleet
• Group of several vehicles owned by a company,
  utility, or municipality
• Fleet shop
• Performs maintenance and repairs on a group of
  vehicles owned by one company
• May subcontract major repairs to specialty shop

9
Technician Certification and Licensing

• ASE Certification
• Eight specialty areas
• Tests given twice a year
• Master automotive technician is a journey-level
  professional certified in all eight specialties
• Work experience requirement
• Two years of automotive work experience
• Many employers ask for ASE certification
• Demonstrates knowledge and experience
• Demonstrates the technician can read

10
Technician Certification and Licensing (cont'd.)

• Advanced engine performance specialist
• Must first be certified in regular auto
  categories of engine performance and electrical
  systems
• Test covers several areas
• Engine machinist
• Originally sponsored by the Automotive Engine
  Rebuilders Association
• Three areas of specialization
• Master engine machinists qualify in all three

11
Technician Certification and Licensing (cont'd.)

• ASE Maintenance and Inspection Program
• Provides an online maintenance and inspection
  learning program
• Automotive service consultant
• Can become ASE certified
• Test questions include communication, customer
  relations, vehicle systems knowledge, sales, etc.
• Parts specialist
• Six specialty areas

12
Technician Certification and Licensing (cont'd.)

• Other ASE test areas
• Heavy-duty truck
• Auto body
• Paint
• Alternate fuels
• Certification or license
• Certification is voluntary
• Licensing is required

13
Technician Skill Levels and Pay

• Master technicians paid flat rate or commission
• If flat-rate work fails, the job is redone at no
  charge
• Job shadowing exposes the student to real life
  experience
• Student works behind an experienced professional
• Apprentices work under journey-level or master
  technicians for several years
• Several systems
• Mentors answer students questions
• Offer real life experience to the students

14
Other Areas of Specialization

• Some shops specialize in tire and wheels
• Often employ an ASE technician certified in
  brakes and suspension systems

15
Other Areas of Specialization (cont'd.)

• Muffler shops
• Specialize in repair and replacement of exhaust
  systems
• Some also perform quick lubes, tires, and brake
  and suspension work
• Transmission shops
• Transmission repair and rebuilding
• Merchandising shops
• Audio system sales installation
• Off-road vehicle and truck accessories

16
(No Transcript)
17
Other Automotive Careers

• Auto parts specialist needs a basic knowledge of
  the vehicle operation
• Auto body technicians fix accident damage and
  paint vehicles
• Many independent repair shops are owned and
  operated by families
• Successful shop owners are involved in automotive
  and small business associations

18
On the Job as an Automotive Technician

• Successful automotive technicians have attributes
  besides repair abilities
• Communicate effectively
• Clean appearance
• Reliable
• Get along with fellow employees and supervisors
• ASE also certifies schools with automotive
  programs
• Some NATEF certified schools have cooperative
  work experience programs

19
(No Transcript)
20
Summary

• Today's automotive technician must have a
  multitude of skills
• Many specialties under the automotive umbrella
• Many skilled technicians are ASE certified
• Technicians are often paid under the flat-rate
  commission system
• There are large and small automotive businesses
• Some are corporate and some are independently
  owned