Automotive Service Technician

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Automotive Service Technicians (7321.1) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Automotive Service Technicians, Truck Mechanics and Mechanical Repairers (H421) 
• 2011 NOC: Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers (7321) 
• 2016 NOC: Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers (7321) 

Automotive service technicians adjust, test and repair engines, steering systems, braking systems, drive trains and vehicle suspensions. They also do wheel alignments and work with electrical systems and air-conditioning systems. In large shops, they may specialize in repairing, rebuilding and servicing specific parts (for example, transmissions, engines, electrical components). In smaller shops, they may find themselves working on a wider variety of repair jobs.

Automotive service technicians begin by reading the work order and examining the vehicle. To locate the cause of faulty operation and repair it, they use testing equipment and:

• Take the vehicle for a test drive or refer to manufacturers’ specifications and manuals
• Dismantle faulty assemblies and repair or replace worn or damaged parts
• Reassemble, adjust and test the repaired mechanism

Automotive service technicians also may:

• Provide scheduled maintenance services such as oil changes, lubrications and tune ups
• Advise customers on work performed, general vehicle conditions and future repair requirements

Most automotive service technicians work a 40-hour, 5-day week. Some evening, weekend or holiday work may be required. The work is sometimes noisy and dirty. There is some risk of injury when working with power tools and being exposed to gas exhaust fumes. Automotive service technicians need to wear appropriate safety gear when working.

They may be required to lift and move items that weigh up to 25 kilograms.

Automotive service technicians are employed by automotive repair shops, specialty repair shops, service facilities, car and truck dealerships, and large organizations that own fleets of vehicles.

Experienced automotive service technicians may advance to service manager or shop foreman positions. Some automotive service technicians open their own repair facilities.

Automotive service technicians are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 7321: Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers. In Alberta, 77% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Other Services [pdf]
• Retail Trade [pdf]

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• Trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation

In Alberta, the 7321: Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers occupational group is expected to have an average annual growth of 1.9% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 308 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.ca

Motor Dealers’ Association of Alberta website: mdaalberta.com

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