Auto technicians can work in garages, automotive industries, crash testing sites, etc. They can work part-time, full-time, or freelance. An auto technician is expected to be very adept at handling tools and should have knowledge of the various parts used inside different vehicles. They must learn about various variations in the engines, suspensions, body work, etc. of automobiles from various companies. An auto technician, above all, has to be extremely skilled and must possess the ability to understand the problem or find the fault with minimum intervention.
Automotive mechanic jobs involve a lot of manual work; hence mostly men opt for this genre of job. Auto technicians do repair work on vehicles, paint restoration, and repairing works, frame repairs, etc. Metal cutting and welding, smoothing dents on surfaces, using various tools and instruments, changing various engine fluids, and checking for proper working of the different parts inside a vehicle are all descriptions of the auto technician’s job. Other jobs in the automotive industry mainly involve painters, crash technicians, automotive test drivers, entry-level automotive jobs, automotive teaching jobs, etc.
Today’s advanced cars require knowledge of new technologies which can be acquired by formal training only. Many institutions offer various degree and diploma courses where students learn various academic as well as technical skills. Students or auto technicians can opt for an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification which can help in increasing job opportunities as well as increasing earning potential. However, this certificate is not mandatory.
Today a car is not just a comfort utility, but it has become a means of expressing one’s power and status. Young people want to modify their cars and some of them constantly search for skilled technicians and painters. Automotive technicians working at such customization shops get paid very well for their work.
Prior experience is a very important factor that plays a major role in defining the auto technician’s expertise level. Experience teaches technicians what no study material can teach them. Automotive technicians with many years of work experience move to positions like the automotive manager, automotive instructor, automotive teacher, etc.
According to recent surveys there is a widening gap between the number of skilled auto technicians shifting to other careers or retiring and the number of new replacements available in the job market. As a result, there are ample auto tech jobs available, and the demand for good, skilled technicians will continue to grow globally.
On an average, auto technicians are paid $10–$15 per hour. Many companies employ auto technicians with a weekly wage with incentives. Auto technicians working with private repair shops and automobile dealers make much more than the average salaries. Automotive helpers and trainees receive fewer salaries. Careers in the automotive industry are plentiful and the industry is constantly in search of skilled and trained professionals.
Various online sites have job listing according to location, price, type, etc. One can easily search for automotive jobs online; find automotive jobs in local newspapers and also in automotive job listings. Becoming an auto technician is a career for one who loves automobiles and wants to see himself (or herself) associated with them always. The future looks bright for automotive technicians.
