Automotive

Automotive Electrician

What is an Automotive Electrician?

Automotive Electricians diagnose, repair and install all kinds of electrical and computer components in cars, trucks and boats. Auto Electricians also diagnose and repair alternators, starter motors ignitions and more.

What kind of work do they do?

• Diagnose problems via circuit testing
• Test, repair or replace electrical systems such as Electronic Fuel Injection and Anti Lock Braking systems
• Service all components of the ignition system
• Use specialised Electrical tools and equipment
• Wire and re-wire new and existing electrical components.

How do I get into this trade?

It would be advised to complete an Automotive Pre-Apprenticeship. Usually, you will need at least Year 10 with good results in English and Maths. You may also be able to start this apprenticeship while you are still at school.

How will I know if it’s for me?

You will probably enjoy working with your hands, using special tools or equipment to make, fix, install or adjust things. You will do practical and physical tasks, and enjoy finding out how electrical components work. Getting dirty and greasy will not bother you, nor will climbing under or around cars and machinery. You would mainly be working in a small workshop, however from time to time you may be required to do breakdown repairs. Overtime and weekend work will not worry you.

Diesel Fitter

What is a Diesel Fitter?

Diesel Fitters diagnose, repair and replace all kinds of mechanical parts to trucks, earth moving equipment and some cars. They also maintain and repair the cooling systems, diesel fuel systems as well as air compressor components.

What kind of work do they do?

• Diagnose problems
• Test, repair or replace diesel fuel systems, engines, cooling components
• Service and repair all components of the hydraulic systems
• Repair and service manual and automatic gearboxes and transmissions
• Carry out routine services including checking and renewing all relevant fluids.

How do I get into this trade?

It would be advised to complete an Automotive Mechanical Pre-Apprenticeship. Usually, you will need at least Year 10 with good results in English and Maths. You may also be able to start this apprenticeship while you are still at school.

How will I know if it’s for me?

You will probably enjoy working with your hands, using special tools or equipment to make, fix, install or adjust things. You will do practical and physical tasks, and enjoy finding out how Diesel engines work. Getting dirty and greasy will not bother you, nor will climbing under or around trucks and machinery. You would mainly be working in a large workshop, however from time to time you may be required to do site work as well as break down repairs. Some night and weekend overtime may also be involved with this trade.

Heavy Vehicle Mechanic

What is a Heavy Vehicle Mechanic?

Heavy Vehicle Mechanics will primarily overhaul, service and repair the mechanical parts of road transport vehicles such as the engine, transmission (clutch, gear box and differential) and the suspension systems (springs, steering, brakes, wheels and tyres).

What kind of work do they do?

They will perform tasks including discussing problems with vehicle drivers to discover faults and carry out their own diagnosis procedures. They will repair and service cooling systems, diesel fuel systems, air conditioning, engine forced induction systems and clutch assemblies. In addition, they will overhaul, repair and service engines, manual and automatic transmissions, air braking systems and final drive assemblies and repair and service steering and suspension systems. The repair of ignition, electronic engine management and electrical systems and safety/roadworthy inspections are also encompassed in the heavy vehicle mechanic’s duties.Talk about problems with vehicle drivers to find faults

How do I get into this trade?

You need to complete an Automotive Apprenticeship. Usually, you will need at least Year 10 with good results in English and Maths. You may be able to start this apprenticeship while you are still at school.

How will I know if it’s for me?

You will probably enjoy working with your hands, using special tools or equipment to make, fix, install or adjust things. You will do practical and physical tasks, and enjoy finding out how equipment or machinery works. Getting dirty and greasy will not bother you, nor will climbing under or around machinery. You could be working in a large workshop, may go out on site, and sometimes, work overtime or at nights.

Light Vehicle Mechanic

What is a Light Vehicle Mechanic?

Light Vehicle Mechanics overhaul, service and repair the mechanical parts including engines, gearboxes, clutches and brakes of cars. They are also responsible for minor and major maintenance including oil changes, engine tune ups and more.

What kind of work do they do?

• Talk about problems with the owners to find faults
• Test, repair and service cars eg. replace worn or damaged parts
• Do routine services eg. change oil, oil filters etc
• Carry out diagnostic procedures
• Perform safety checks.

How do I get into this trade?

You need to complete an Automotive Apprenticeship. Usually, you will need at least Year 10 with good results in English and Maths. You may be able to start this apprenticeship while you are still at school.

How will I know if it’s for me?

You will probably enjoy working with your hands, using special tools or equipment to make, fix, install or adjust things. You will do practical and physical tasks, and enjoy finding out how equipment or machinery works. Getting dirty and greasy will not bother you, nor will climbing under or around machinery. You would mainly be working in a small workshop, however from time to time you may be required to do breakdown repairs. Overtime and weekend work wont worry you.

Panel Beater

What is a Panel Beater?

Panel Beaters repair all kinds of body damage to vehicles. They prepare the body for painting, in doing this you will remove dents, scratches and creases in panel work. An apprentice panel beater will learn how to use specialised tools and equipment to assist in the preparation of the vehicle body.

What kind of work do they do?

• Fit body kits
• Repair or replace damaged panels, bumpers and trimmings
• Remove dents and scratches, fill blemishes with body filer
• Sand old and damaged surfaces for painting
• Straighten chassis, panels and sub frames after accidents
• Quote on repairs, repaints and modifications.

How do I get into this trade?

It would be advised to complete an Automotive Pre-Apprenticeship. Usually, you will need at least Year 10 with good results in English and Maths. You may also be able to start this apprenticeship while you are still at school.

How will I know if it’s for me?

You will probably enjoy working with your hands, using special tools and equipment to make, fix, install or adjust things. As a panel beater you would enjoy working with body fillers, fiberglass and around paints so having a sensitive nose probably wouldn’t suit this trade. You would be working in a medium sized workshop environment. Some weekend overtime may also be involved with panel beating.

Small Motors Mechanic

What is a Small Motors Mechanic?

Small Motors Mechanics overhaul, service and repair the mechanical parts including engines, gearboxes, clutches and brakes of motorcycles, boats, chainsaws, lawn mowers, brush cutters and much more.

What kind of work do they do?

• Talk about problems with the owners to find faults
• Test, repair and service cars eg. replace worn or damaged parts
• Do routine services eg. change oil, oil filters etc
• Carry out diagnostic procedures
• Perform safety checks.

How do I get into this trade?

You need to complete an Automotive Apprenticeship. Usually, you will need at least Year 10 with good results in English and Maths. You may be able to start this apprenticeship while you are still at school.

How will I know if it’s for me?

You will probably enjoy working with your hands, using special tools or equipment to make, fix, install or adjust things. You will do practical and physical tasks, and enjoy finding out how equipment or machinery works. Getting dirty and greasy will not bother you, nor will climbing under or around machinery. You could be working in a large workshop, may go out on site, and sometimes work overtime or at nights.

Spray Painter

What is a Spray Painter?

Spray Painters do all kinds of paint work from restoration, colour matching and full repaints. They prepare the body for painting by sanding, masking and cleaning the surface. An apprentice spray painter will learn how to use specialised tools and equipment.

What kind of work do they do?

• Minor paint touch ups
• Masking surrounding panels and areas for painting
• Sand old and damaged surfaces for painting
• Quote on repairs and repaints
• Colour matching and mixing
• Applying primers, base coats and top coats
• Buffing and waxing of finished surfaces.

How do I get into this trade?

It would be advised to complete an Automotive Pre-Apprenticeship. Usually, you would need at least Year 10 with good results in English and Maths. You may also be able to start this apprenticeship while you are still at school.

How will I know if it’s for me?

As a spray painter you would have a bit of a creative flair and an attention to detail. As a spray painter you would enjoy working with paints, thinners and other solvent type chemicals so having a sensitive nose probably wouldn’t suit this trade. You would be working in a medium sized workshop environment. Some weekend and night overtime may also be required as a spray painter.