Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship Offers Valuable Practical Experience

Did you know that there are various positions within the automotive service technician field? The most obvious position is that of a technician who works directly with cars. This professional inspects, maintains, and repairs automobiles that run on electricity, gasoline, or alternative fuels like ethanol. The automotive service tech is also responsible for executing basic care maintenance like tire rotations and oil changes, diagnosing complex problems, and planning and executing vehicle repair. In addition, other careers within this field include: service writers/ advisors, service managers, instructors/professors and auto company representatives. Therefore, if you love cars but want a more hands-off role, there are options just for you in the transportation industry, which is one of the largest in Canada.

No matter, which position interests you, the first step is to attend an automotive service technician apprenticeship at a post-secondary institution. Centennial College offers such an apprenticeship through its co-op program, which is partnered with the Toronto Automobile Dealers’ Association. This particular program takes two years to complete and combines in-class sessions with field experience. If you are interested in applying, you must be able to present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or General Educational Development (GED) or equivalent. In addition, a resume and transcript may be required and English proficiency may be considered. You must also attend a program admission session, during which you will fill out a questionnaire.

Once in the program, students will find that the first eight months are spent at Centennial College’s Ashtonbee Campus. This high-tech location is the largest transportation training centre in the province. It houses fully-equipped labs that simulate car shops. Students train on actual cars and are taught by professionals who bring valuable experience from the field. All of the courses offered during the time students are in school are geared to make them job-ready for the field aspect of the automotive service technician apprenticeship. These courses include: Workplace Practices and Procedures (areas covered include: fasteners, bearing and seals, oxyacetylene operation and computer fundamentals), Drive Train Systems (introduction to the purpose and fundamentals, types, styles and application, principles of operation of push-type clutches and flywheel assemblies and basic gear theory), Engine Systems (introduction into the principles of operation and the terms related to the internal combustion engine), and more. In addition, students will take lecture-based courses such as Occupational Health & Safety, College Communications, Organizational Behaviour, Auto body Estimating, Fixed Operations Management and more.

Meanwhile, the on-the-job feature of the automotive service technician training sees students working in a T.A.D.A dealership, where they apply everything they learned about vehicles to real-life situations. They also gain additional knowledge by working alongside experienced professionals who can share anecdotes and their own experiences. These professionals will also guide students in dealing with difficult customers and problem resolution. Many times, students are actually hired by the company at which they do their co-op placement.

Enroll in Full-fledged Automotive Service Technician Training at Centennial College

The demand for Automotive Service Technician is steadily increasing due to the popularity of vehicles. Many families own up to three vehicles, which are bound to break down, require maintenance or some other type of service at some point. In fact, the transportation industry is one of Canada’s largest, which creates many opportunities for aspiring automotive professionals. That’s where highly trained Service Technicians come in. To be completely capable of handling the intricate systems of today’s cars, those interested in this field must first acquire in-depth knowledge before starting their careers.

At Centennial College, students prepare for the challenges and rewards of a career in Automotive Service with guidance and support from experienced faculty and a solid curriculum. The school offers a variety of transportation education programs. One of those choices is the Automotive Service Technician Co-op Apprenticeship, partnered with the Toronto Automobile Dealers’ Association (T.A.D.A.). The in-school sessions of the two-year (six semester) program are facilitated by the School of Transportation at Ashtonbee Campus. This Centennial College Campus actually houses the largest automotive training centre in the province and contains all of the equipment and tools that students will eventually use in the workforce. Faculty members who lead the program are well versed in the automotive industry, as they have years of experience in the field. With their expertise, students can rest assured that they are receiving a well-rounded and up-to-date education. For the in-school sessions, students are provided with training on automobile assemblies in fully-equipped automotive labs. They also receive an advanced education in electrical and electronics diagnosis. Besides learning about the engines, break systems, air conditioning units and much more, students are also enrolled in business, English and general education courses. These topics help students to master the administrative side of the industry and find employment in administrative roles.

The other part of the Automotive Service Technician Co-op Apprenticeship is the on-the-job training. During this time, students spend eight months experiencing real life situations at T.A.D.A dealerships. The practical experience allows students to work with professionals in the field as well as observe and participate as they deal with a wide range of customers and car problems. This portion of the Centennial College training is paid, as the program takes an earn-as-you-learn approach. Upon completion of the in-school and on-the-job sessions, students graduate with an Ontario College Diploma and employable skills.

Applicants to the Automotive Service Technician (T.A.D.A) program, must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or General Educational Development (GED) or equivalent. English proficiency, the completion of a program questionnaire and a successful program admission session will be considered in the admissions process. Lastly, a resume review may be required. Centennial College’s exclusive avant-garde program is a combination of in-school theory, lab experience and apprenticeship training. By the completion of the program, you will know the ins and outs of being an Automotive Service Tech.

An Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship is a Great Start to Your Career

It’s a beautiful summer day and you’re driving along the road to the beach in your trusty car that’s been getting you around for about 10 years. What could go wrong? You arrive at the beach, enjoy your day and hop back in the car. Turning the key, you listen for the reassuring sound of the engine, but there’s nothing except for a puttering and silence. You open the hood to examine what the problem may be and realize that what’s underneath the hood is a lot more complicated than you thought. The next step is to call an experienced Automotive Service Technician, of course.

Skilled workers in the Automotive Service Technician field have an impressive working knowledge of all of a vehicle’s systems as well as the ability to quickly and accurately diagnose the source of the problem. The systems with which these technicians are familiar include: engines, fuels, transmissions and drivelines, brakes, electrical/electronics, steering and suspension. With the evolution of cars, the job of a car service professional has also evolved to include working with electronic systems and complex computers that run today’s models. Therefore, they must acquire high-tech skills to inspect, maintain and repair automobiles and trucks that run on gasoline, ethanol and alternative fuels such as electricity. Some common tasks performed by Automotive Service Technicians include oil changes, tire rotations, diagnosing more complex problems, testing and lubricating engines, replacing worn parts before they cause damage to the vehicle and more. These technicians also know that belts, hoses, plugs, brakes, fuel systems, and other potentially troublesome items must be watched closely.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2008 most service technicians worked a standard 40 hours a week. But 24 per cent worked longer hours. The same organization reports that automotive service technicians and mechanics held about 763,700 in 2008. The majority of workers are employed in maintenance shops and with automobile dealers. In addition, automotive parts, accessories and tire stores, gas stations, automotive equipment rental and leasing companies also employ service techs.

Centennial College’s Automotive Service Technician apprenticeship gets students on the road to a successful and long-lasting career. To complete the program, students spend five training periods of 1,800 hours with an employer, three eight-week college sessions or one-day-a-week for three years or two evenings a week for three years. During their time at Centennial, they encounter in-school training that is geared to on-the-job experience. Automotive Service Technician apprentices also interact with professors who have extensive experience in the industry and learn in a state-of-the-art transportation leaning centre.

To be eligible for the Automotive Service Tech program you must be currently employed as an apprentice. You cannot apply directly to the college or ontariocolleges.ca for admission to this apprenticeship program. For general information about apprenticeship registration, please contact the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Also required is an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent. Once accepted, you may qualify for income support while in school through Employment Insurance Canada benefits or training allowance.