© 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Automotive Careers and Technician Certification

Chapter 2

© 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

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

© 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

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

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Automotive Career Opportunities• Today’s technicians usually start out in a

technical education program in high school• Today’s 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

© 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

© 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

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

© 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

© 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

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

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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

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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

© 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

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

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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

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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

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Other Areas of Specialization• Some shops specialize in tire and wheels

– Often employ an ASE technician certified in brakes and suspension systems

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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

© 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

© 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

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

© 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

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

© 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

© 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

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