Trade Spotlight: Automotive Mechanical Apprenticeships
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we're highlighting the types of Automotive trade roles and the qualifications you'll need to make it in this trade - which you can only gain through an Australian Apprenticeship.
The automotive and mechanical trade is for engine fanatics of all makes, models and vehicle types. You can specialise in engine types and sizes, depending on your host employer. A career in this trade requires passion and respect for the vehicles and engines you will be entrusted to maintain and develop day in/day out.
Automotive and Mechanical specialisations span many different areas depending on the vehicle type and the industry. These specialisations include but are not limited to Light Vehicles, Heavy Vehicles, Diesel Fitting and Panel Beating.
The following trade qualifications available through an Australian Apprenticeship with Light Automotive and Mechanical career outcomes include:
- Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
- Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology
- Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
- Certificate III in Recreational Vehicle Service and Repair
- Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology
- Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
- Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Trailer Technology
- Certificate III in Marine Mechanical Technology
These are just a few. There are many more specialised Automotive and Mechanical trade certificates that you can undertake as an Apprentice or Trainee depending on the industry you work within and the vehicles involved.
Light Vehicle Mechanic Apprenticeships
A Light Vehicle Mechanic Apprenticeship will set you up for a career that allows you to specialise in performance vehicles, work in motor dealership service centres and have the potential to one day open your own mechanic workshop.
Read more about Light Vehicle Mechanic Apprenticeships.
Heavy Vehicle Mechanic Apprenticeships
A Heavy Vehicle Mechanic Apprenticeship will prepare you for a job where you will be qualified to repair and maintain the engines and components of large vehicles. Depending on their practical experience and qualifications, these mechanics will specialise in particular vehicles and/or stationary engines; anything from mobile cranes, drilling rigs, trucks and bulldozers to specialised agricultural or mining machinery.
With a Heavy Vehicle Mechanic Apprenticeship, you will become fully qualified to undertake a number of diagnostic processes associated with the vehicles and/ or engines your host employer exposes you to. You could find yourself working for the government maintaining bus and transport fleets; working for a national Road Transport company managing their roadworthy assessments; or subcontracting to mining or construction companies repairing and maintaining generators, pumps, compressors and drilling rigs.
Read more about Heavy Vehicle Mechanic Apprenticeships.
Diesel Fitter Apprenticeships
A Diesel Fitting Apprenticeship will prepare you for a job where you will repair, service and maintain diesel machinery, plant equipment, engines and heavy vehicles. This often involves diagnosing issues with parts and systems that require a new part to be re-crafted to ‘fit’ the repair. Diesel Fitters will often work alongside or in a similar capacity as Heavy Vehicle Mechanics. Diesel Fitters are specialists in diesel engines and connected systems, whereas a mechanic might also carry out works on other areas of the vehicles, such as the electrical or HVAC systems.
Depending on your on-the-job training you’ll specialise in particular machinery, plant equipment or engine types particular to your industry; this could be the machinery and plant equipment essential to open-cut-mining operations, or the machinery and engines used in heavy agriculture industries.
Read more about Diesel Fitter Apprenticeships.
Panel Beater Apprenticeships
A Panel Beater Apprenticeship (aka Automotive Body Repairers) will prepare you for a job where you will repair damage to metal, plastic and fibreglass bodywork on vehicles, as well as make and form vehicle panels. On-the-job training as a Panel Beating Apprentice could see you working in a crash repairer, new or used car dealership, or even with a motor vehicle manufacturer.
Depending on the size of the organisation where you complete your on-the-job training, you may have the opportunity to work your way up to supervisory and management level positions. With experience, further training and qualifications there are also opportunities for Panel Beaters to move into the insurance industry as Loss Assessors.
Read more about Panel Beater Apprenticeships.
Did you find any of these Automotive Mechanical Career options interesting? Why not start searching for an Apprenticeship in this field.
View our latest opportunities on the MIGAS Jobs Board and apply today!