In our fast-paced mobile world, it’s hard to imagine what life would be like without the invention responsible for making it a mobile world – the automobile. And with a reported 73+ million passenger vehicles produced worldwide in 2017 alone, it’s safe to say automobiles not only changed the world, they continue to be a core component of our daily lives.
Considering the astronomical number of cars produced annually, it’s easy to understand why skilled automotive technicians are always in high demand. After all, someone’s got to keep 73+ million cars running smoothly. Wonder what it’s like to be one of the talented technicians keeping motors running on a daily basis? Keep reading, because we took a peek at the daily life of the automotive technician, to give all you an inside glimpse of the super stars who make sure starters start and wheels keep on turning.
The daily routine for an automotive technician often depends on the setup at the garage or shop, he/she works at. Some shops employ “general services” technicians who can perform any or all of the preventive maintenance or repair services required, such as – oil changes, tune-ups, tire and brake services etc. But just like most professions, you can choose to specialize in a particular area of automotive technology and your role in a shop might be as the transmission tech or maybe the tech who specialize in electrical repairs. Whatever the shop setup is, your daily routine is likely to include some of these typical elements.
- Troubleshooting and testing parts to identify the source of automotive mechanical problems.
- Writing up estimates for repairs and communicating with customers.
- Completing preventative maintenance on vehicles, including: tire rotations, oil changes, filter replacement.
- Ordering parts, performing repairs and working with other mechanics to help diagnose problems and decide the best course of action.
In some cases, you might also be assisting with warranties, scheduling appointments or tracking inventory. And while life as an automotive technician may include some routine or typical activities, the cool part is that it’s also never really going to be routine. After all, you never know when that ’68 Mustang or Porsche 918 Spyder, might just roll up in your garage needing service. For fans of all things automotive, it can be the best of both worlds – a solid career with job security and the chance to be up close and personal with some of the most unique cars out there. Not to mention, the camaraderie that is a natural part of working in a garage with people who share your love of tinkering around under the hood.
If you’ve always been mechanically inclined, automotive technology is a field that surely has plenty of opportunities to explore. If you’re thinking about joining the skilled automotive technicians keeping things moving, it starts with getting the right training from the right school. J-Tech Institute has got you covered with an ASE based Automotive Technology Program offered in their 168,000 square foot training facility in Jacksonville, Florida. At J-Tech, we’re not your ordinary technical school. With industry partners who help keep us at the forefront of the latest automotive technologies and a laboratory environment that helps students get the hands-on training they need to succeed – J-Tech is training the next generation of automotive technicians. Contact us today to learn more about our programs or come tour our facility in sunny Jacksonville and let’s keep things moving – together!