Automobile Technology 33
The modern Light Vehicle Automobile Technician is likely to be employed in a workshop that is closely associated with one major manufacturer of light vehicles. Their expertise may be greatest with that manufacturer’s vehicles; however, depending on the situation and range of services offered by the workshop, they may also handle other manufacturers’ vehicles. Automobile Technicians also work in garages and workshops that are not associated with particular manufacturers. Where this is the case they may experience a wider range of light vehicles and use alternative equipment, parts and materials.
The trained and competent Light Vehicle Automobile Technician will service and repair a range of light vehicles. For diagnosis, repair and replacement, depending on the nature of the workshop, they may use the manufacturers’ equipment, parts, materials and procedures. Therefore, according to a workshop’s relationship with manufacturers, the Technician’s experience may be deep or broad, or both. In every garage and workshop success is measured in time, correct fault finding and repair, and repeat business.
Most garages and workshops are small businesses or cost centres that work to tight financial parameters. The light automobile sector is volatile, being dependent on the wider economy and heavily affected by technological advances and environmental concerns. The highly skilled Automobile Technician keeps abreast of continuous changes in the sector, whether these are to do with performance, safety or green energy sources. They will deeply understand vehicles’ electrical and electronic systems and their integration; have physical stamina, coordination and kinaesthetic skills, and be versatile. They will be assigned the more complex diagnostic tasks, the most advanced vehicles, and those incorporating the latest technologies. This person may rapidly progress to more senior roles as trainer, supervisor, planner and/or manager.
Required skills
Communications, customer relation skills, reading, mathematics, critical thinking, good eyesight, attention to detail, problem-solving skills, work under supervision and training.
Career info
The Automobile Technology technician is likely to be employed in a workshop or garage that may be associated with either a single manufacturer of light vehicles or a variety of vehicles. Servicing requires knowledge and skill using a variety of equipment, parts, and materials. Plus, in every garage and workshop success is measured in time, correct fault finding and repair, and repeat business.
The light automobile sector is volatile, being dependent on the wider economy, and impacted by technological advances and environmental concerns. The highly skilled automobile technician keeps abreast of continuous changes in the sector, whether these are to do with performance, safety or green energy sources. They will deeply understand vehicles’ electrical and electronic systems and their integration; have physical stamina, coordination and kinaesthetic skills; and be versatile. With these skills and this approach, they will be assigned the more complex diagnostic tasks, the most advanced vehicles, and those incorporating the latest technologies.
At the Competition
Competitors will be judged on:
- General Competency
- Electrical Systems Construction and Testing
- Brake and stability control Systems
- Suspension and Steering Systems
- Engine Mechanical Repair
- Transmissions manual and automatic
- Diesel systems
- Engine management
- Diagnostics
- Good understanding and interpretation of electrical and network diagramms, work with modern computer based diagnostic systems.
- Ability to measure and interpret at electrical electronical harnesses on modern cars.
- Ability to search information on OL workshop manual, interpret Diagnostic Trouble Codes DTC's.