Do you…
• Enjoy working with your hands?
• Enjoy fixing cars, trucks, motorcycles or small engines?
• Want to learn more about electrical, hydraulics (fluid power), pneumatics (air power) and mechanical components in machines?

If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, then a career as an Automotive Service Technician may be right for you!

What Is An Automotive Service Technician?
An Automotive Service Technician is a certified and skilled tradesperson who diagnoses and repairs motor vehicles (e.g. cars, minivans, SUV’s, light duty trucks and medium duty trucks).

An Automotive Service Technician performs various duties that help maintain a vehicle as well as repair it. Some of these job activities include:
• Engine maintenance and repair
• Transmission maintenance and repair
• Exhaust system repair
• Body repair and adjustments
• Brake maintenance and repair
• Steering, suspension and alignment repairs

Where Does An Automotive Service Technician Work?
An Automotive Service Technician may work in:
• Dealerships
• Independent automotive shops, repair shops and garages (owned by other people or themselves)

Some Automotive Service Technicians may prefer to work as:
• Teachers in high school teaching automotive class
• Teachers in colleges that offer an accredited Automotive Service Training program

What Does A Typical Day For An Automotive Service Technician Look Like?
A typical day for an Automotive Service Technician in a dealership or automotive shop usually begins when a customer brings their vehicle to the shop. The customer tells the service advisor what the problems are with their vehicle. The service advisor documents the problems on a work order. The vehicle and corresponding work order is then given to an Automotive Service Technician who begins to work on this particular job.

An Automotive Service Technician follows a certain procedure when working on a new job. He/she:
1. Reads the work order written up by the service advisor.
2. Examines the vehicle to further assess the problems mentioned on the work order.
3. Provides the service advisor with an estimate on how much it will cost to fix the problems.
4. Waits for the service advisor to confirm that the customer is OK with the repair costs before fixing the problems.
5. Fixes the problems once the service advisor gives the go ahead.
6. Takes the vehicle for a test drive and/or performs operational checks to ensure that the customer’s concerns are resolved.
7. Informs the service advisor that the customer can pick up their vehicle.

How Do You Become An Automotive Service Technician?
1. Attend a college that offers a certified Automotive Service Technician training program.
2. Complete the Automotive Service Technician program successfully.
3. Find a suitable employer who will hire and train you as an Automotive Service Technician apprentice. (Complete your apprenticeship booklet/hours/activities at work and get it signed off by your employer).
4. Write the Automotive Service Technician certification exam put out by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
5. Pass the exam, obtain your 310S license and become a licensed Automotive Service Technician!