7 Career Paths to Start your Automotive Career

Parts Interpreting

An automotive parts interpreter sells automotive parts and accessories in retail or wholesale outlets. These parts include batteries, headlights, tyres, seat covers, car cleaning equipment and engine, brake and transmission components. This career path allows you to specialise in one particular make of vehicle and most of their time is spent assisting customers.

Great communication skills and sales ability is needed in this role to help find out customers exact needs. You will also need to be able to recommend appropriate parts and assist customers in repairing or replacing parts. Other skills needed include being able to identify the make, model and variations of motor vehicles and automotive equipment, an organised approach to work, good problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure. Of course, an interest in motor vehicle parts and their functions is vital.

Heavy Vehicles

A heavy vehicle motor mechanic repairs, maintains and tests heavy vehicles, other engines and connected mechanical components. A heavy vehicle motor mechanic may work on buses, trucks, agricultural machinery and stationary engines, such as, generators, pumps, compressors and drilling rigs. To work well in this role, you will need to enjoy practical and manual activities, mechanical aptitude, be good at mathematics and be able to cope with the physical demands of the job.

Heavy vehicle motor mechanics need to be able to diagnose, repair, tune, maintain and test diesel, petrol and gas powered vehicles. Working with heavy vehicles you will need to detect mechanical and electrical faults by using instruments that check batteries, ignition, speed control, engine condition, braking efficiency and wheel balance and alignment. The skills required for this role include the ability to use welding and hand fitting or machining processes to replace or repair faulty parts.

Light Engines

Light vehicle motor mechanics are required to service, repair and maintain the mechanical parts of motor vehicles such as the engine, the transmission and the suspension systems. Light vehicle motor mechanics usually work in workshops and it is important they keep up to date with recent changes in motor industry technology.

This career path seeks an individual who enjoys practical, technical and manual activities and is able to work with hand tools. You will be able to perform the following tasks - discuss problems and faults with car drivers and vehicle operators, listen to engines, fit and operate special test equipment, and test drive vehicles. You will need to repair or replace faulty or worn parts by removing assemblies such as engines, transmission and steering gear systems. Duties also include tuning engines using special electronic equipment and making fine adjustments. You will need to diagnose, repair and replace engine systems such as lighting, instrumentation, ignition and electronic fuel injection. Finally, you will need to be able to inspect vehicles and issue certificates of roadworthiness or list the duties required before a certificate can be issued.

Engine Reconditioner

An engine reconditioner sets up and operates machinery to restore and recondition the machined surfaces of engines and related vehicle components. Engine reconditioners work in specialised workshops and sometimes specialise on one aspect of the job. If you are seeking a career in engine reconditioning you should enjoy practical and manual activities with a mechanical aptitude and being able to keep up to date with technological change.

Engine reconditioners will be required to dismantle, check and inspect engines for wear. They will also need to regrind camshafts and crankshafts, repair, recondition and pressure-test cylinder heads and cylinder blocks. You must also be able to check various components using micrometers and dial indicators, identify reasons for engine failure, install engines in cars, boats, trucks or tractors and reassemble engines after repair.

Marine Mechanics

Marine mechanics repair and maintain electrical and mechanical systems onboard a watercraft. They are required to work with their hands and must be familiar with systems on a variety of boats, ranging from small personal watercrafts to large commercial vessels. An individual seeking a job as a marine mechanic must possess the skills to service and repair 2- and 4-stroke engines.

Further job duties include, troubleshooting, repairing, installing and maintaining steering and propulsion systems, inboard and outboard motors, diesel engines, fuel systems and marine plumbing. Marine mechanics can find employment at several types of establishments, including boat dealers, independent repair shops, marinas, boatyards, docks and yacht centres.

Once you have completed your certification, students will then be eligible for a full time position in any of these career path and be able to work in mechanic shops, dealerships and other companies in need of your automotive skills.

You can find out about all our automotive courses here, call us on 138 233 or apply online today.