Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

Skills

• Repairing

  Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

• Troubleshooting

  Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

• Critical Thinking

  Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

• Operations Monitoring

  Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

• Equipment Maintenance

  Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Abilities

• Deductive Reasoning

  The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

• Manual Dexterity

  The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

• Finger Dexterity

  The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

• Inductive Reasoning

  The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

• Near Vision

  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

• Post-secondary certificate
  50 %

  Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)

• High school diploma or equivalent
  43 %

  or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate

• Some college, no degree
  6 %

Work Activities

• Getting Information

  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

  Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

  Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

  Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems

  Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Detailed Work Activities

• Inspect vehicles to determine overall condition.
• Record information about parts, materials or repair procedures.
• Operate transportation equipment to demonstrate function or malfunction.
• Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
• Test mechanical systems to ensure proper functioning.

Work Interests

• Realistic

  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

• Conventional

  Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

• Investigative

  Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.