How You Can Become An Automotive Technician

Before learning how you can become an automotive technician, you need to understand a few things about this job, like the responsibilities, requirements, and skills of an automotive technician.

So let’s start with what an automotive technician does.

What Are The Functionalities Of An Automotive Technician?

Here are the everyday responsibilities of an automotive technician:

• Use the experience and skills to diagnose the vehicle problems with the help of specialized computers and machinery along with rigorous test drives.

• Transcribe the vehicle diagnostic codes to understand the issues and causes of breakdown and plan the repair process accordingly.

• Work with specialized equipment and instruments to repair or replace damaged or broken components. To become an automotive technician, you must be efficient in using pneumatic tools, lifts, lathes, hand wrenches, etc., to repair the vehicle effectively.

• Perform the necessary OEM-recommended inspections and preventative measures of maintenance like tire rotation, fluid-level checks, oil changes, tune-ups, etc., at particular vehicle timelines.

If you want to become an automotive technician, you may also be required to become an expert in one field, like front-end technician, brake-work technician, engine technician, etc.

Now that you know about the functionalities, you must also understand what you will require to become an automotive technician.

Automotive Technician Requirements-

Here are the requirements to become an expert automotive technician:

• Education: Most automotive repair shops worldwide require a degree or diploma to become a permanent technician. Several institutions offer graduate-level education through which you can become an automotive technician with the help of classroom education and practical training. This four-year degree can help you learn to repair and maintenance skills.

• Training: When it comes to acquiring a skill like automotive repair or becoming an automotive technician, education is not the only thing necessary to become an expert. You also need substantial training in the field. Some colleges and schools providing degree courses for automotive technicians also provide special training for the same. There may also be an opportunity for an internship with a big or small auto repair shop or car dealer. When it comes to this training or internship, the supervisors will have you repeat a particular part of the job before moving to the next part. The experience acquired from these internships and training can help find an automotive technician job more efficiently.

• Certification: After you have had some experience in the field, you will be able to take a test to acquire a certification to become an automotive technician. This certification will be from an automotive service institute, depending on where you live. The certification for automotive technicians can be for tens of areas in the field, including air conditioning and heating, damage repairs, steering, suspension, and fuels.

• Skills: After education, training and certification come the skills. The skills are gained by continuous experience and working in the mentorship of an experienced automotive technician. Some of these crucial skills are as follows:

• Analytical and investigative ability: Sometimes cars come into the shop with typical problems. These problems may not be apparent at first and may require some analytical ability to get to the root of the issue. Although several computer equipments may help solve the problems, it ultimately comes down to the problem-solving skills of the technician themselves.

• Technical expertise: Along with being handy with tools, you will need to be good with advanced diagnostic electronic equipment to become a skilled automotive technician. It may help efficiently find the reason behind the blinking check engine light or lower than usual mileage. Technical expertise is also necessary, seeing as the vehicles are becoming increasingly advanced.

• Efficiency: Automotive technicians are usually paid by the hour. So the employers expect them to be as efficient as possible. Moreover, several customers with diverse issues stop by an auto repair shop every hour. If the technicians are not efficient, the workflow will be disrupted, and the customers will be left waiting. So efficiency is one of the most significant parts of being an excellent automotive technician.

• Mechanical skills: Mechanical expertise is one of the most important aspects of being an automotive technician. You need to understand how the mechanical parts fit and work.

• Manufacturing know-how: You also need to be an expert in the maintenance and repair of different models and manufacturers. It will help you efficiently repair more vehicles and help more customers.

How To Become An Automotive Technician?

Now that you know the skills and requirements for being an automotive technician, you may be wondering how one goes on to become an expert. So here are a few steps to follow in order to become an automotive technician:

• Opt for automotive repair in school: Several high schools offer automotive repair. So you may want to opt for it as a practical subject to be an expert from a younger age.

• Get a high school diploma: The bare minimum required by almost any auto repair employer is a high school diploma. So at least be a high school graduate.

• Get vocational training: If you are looking to be an automotive technician, it will help if you have vocational training. This training can help you become an expert in several fields like suspension, air conditioning, heating, engines, fuel system, etc.

• Take full advantage of certifications: One of the best ways to enhance a CV is with an internship. It can give you hands-on training to become the best at an early stage.

• Have the right tools: Be it auto repair or any other field, you need the right set of tools for the job. But you must have heard a famous line that goes, “With great power comes great responsibility.”. So it isn’t enough to have just the right set of tools. You also need to know how to use and take care of them to last longer.

• Show enthusiasm: It is not enough to just opt for training. You need to be enthusiastic about it. It must show the employers that you are serious about the job and are willing to commit.

Following these steps will help you become not just an automotive technician, but a great one. Soon, there will be a day when you’ll want to open your workshop and be your own boss. Check out this blog for reference on setting up your own workshop.

Also read:-

• Equipment Every Auto Repair Shop Needs
• Need for technology in automotive repair shops

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