Automotive Technology: A Systems Approach, 4Ce
CHAPTER 1
Careers in the Automotive Industry
REENSG
CHAPTER OVERVIEW
This chapter examines the automotive industry today and points out the changes that are occurring.
Professional service provided by a properly trained technician is critical because of the technology
used in today’s vehicles. A detailed description is given of what it takes to be a professional
technician. Included are descriptions of career opportunities, job classifications, and the various
automotive education programs that are available in Canada. Automotive Service Technician
Interprovincial Standards and ASE certification requirements are also provided.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Describe the reasons why today’s automotive industry is considered a global industry.
Explain how computer technology has changed the way vehicles are built and serviced.
Explain why the need for qualified automotive technicians is increasing.
Describe the major types of businesses that employ automotive technicians.
List some of the many job opportunities available to people with a background in automotive
technology.
Describe the different ways a student can gain work experience while attending classes.
Describe the requirements for Red Seal certification of automotive technicians.
INSTRUCTIONAL OUTLINE WITH TEACHING HINTS
I. Servicing Today’s Vehicles
A. The Importance of Automotive Technicians
B. The Need for Quality Service
C. The Need for Ongoing Service
1. Warranties
2. Increased Vehicle Age
Hint: Discuss the need for repairs as cars become older and what opportunities this
need presents to a qualified technician.
D. Career Opportunities
1. Dealerships
2. Independent Service Shops
3. Franchise Repair Shop
4. Store-Associated Shops
5. Fleet Service and Maintenance
Hint: Discuss career opportunities in all areas of automotive service.
II. Job Classifications
A. Service Technician
1‐1
, Automotive Technology: A Systems Approach, 4Ce
B. Shop Foreman
C. Service Adviser
D. Service Manager
E. Service Director
F. Parts Counterperson
G. Parts Manager
Hint: Discuss the various automotive shop positions and how they each relate to the
technicians.
III. Related Career Opportunities
A. Parts Distribution
B. Marketing and Sales
REENSG
C. Other Opportunities
IV. Training for a Career in Automotive Service
A. Student Work Experience
1. Job Shadowing Program
2. Mentoring Program
3. Cooperative Education
4. Part-Time Employment
B. Canada’s Automotive Apprenticeship Program
C. The Need for Continuous Learning
V. ASE Certification
Hint: Introduce the various programs in your area that are available to students.
WHAT ARE COMMON STUDENT MISCONCEPTIONS AND
STUMBLING BLOCKS?
Without experience, students will struggle with understanding how an automotive shop functions.
Possibly have a shop owner visit the class or arrange to take the students to observe a shop during
operating hours.
To help students understand a shop’s different job classifications, place various students as the shop
foreman or service writer and have them arrange the “workload” for the day’s shop activities.
Have the students refer to the job classification section of the chapter as a reference for these
assignments. Refer to pages 8-12 of Chapter 1 for reference.
SHOP ACTIVITIES AND CASE STUDIES
Here are some activities you can review in-class as a group, or ask students to complete individually or in
pairs:
1. Research a vehicle of your choice. Visit the manufacturer or dealership website. Make a list of all
of the systems in that vehicle that are controlled by electronics. If you are unsure of system, include
its name on the list and talk to your instructor about it.
1‐2
, Automotive Technology: A Systems Approach, 4Ce
2. Look through the help-wanted section of the local newspaper or at online job websites such as
www.workopolis.com, www.careerbuilder.ca, www.apprenticesearch.com, and
www.jobbank.gc.ca/home. Clip out or print all of the employment opportunities available to
someone trained in automotive technology. Do not limit your search to one or two job
classifications; look through many.
3. Based on the ads found in the previous activity, put together a summary of the jobs that are
currently available. Include in the summary the desired qualifications and the type of facilities in
need of qualified technicians.
REENSG
ANSWERS TO TEXTBOOK REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Electronics are widely used because they allow for rapid response to changes in operating
conditions; they are inexpensive, lightweight, and very reliable.
2. To become a successful automotive technician, you must be able to master and keep up with
the latest technologies, and you must possess the skills to work well with people.
3. There are a variety of types of businesses that employ automotive technicians.
a. Dealerships provide repair and maintenance on vehicles while they are under warranty and
beyond. They offer the technician good technical support, special diagnostic equipment, an
opportunity to specialize, and ongoing training. A disadvantage could be becoming limited to
one or two particular model lines.
b. Independent repair shops service all types of vehicles, sometimes specializing in certain
areas of repair, or in either import or domestic vehicles. This type of shop may present constant
service and diagnostic challenges to the technician, providing an opportunity to gain a well-
rounded technical background. Disadvantages may include having less sophisticated
diagnostic equipment to work with and less dealership sponsored training.
c. Store-associated shops provide certain specialized services such as brakes, exhaust
systems, and wheel and tire repair. An advantage to the technician is the ability to specialize
in one area and product. A disadvantage is not becoming as well rounded in other areas of
automotive service.
d. Specialty service shops provide repairs in specialized repair areas such as engine
rebuilding, transmission/transaxle overhauling, brake, exhaust, emissions, or electrical
systems. Technicians can become very skilled in the specialized area, but they can also limit
themselves.
e. Fleet service and maintenance shops provide service and maintenance for a fleet of
company-owned vehicles. Their technicians can become very familiar with a wide range of
vehicles over an extended period of time.
4. There are many ways that you can gain work experience while you are a student. They include:
a. job shadowing, b. mentoring, c. cooperative education, d. apprenticeship, e. part-time
employment.
5. d. During the on-the-job portion of an apprenticeship, the apprentice must complete a
prescribed set of complete vehicle repair tasks.
6. b. While a vehicle is still under warranty, repairs are usually performed in dealership service
departments.
7. c. Specialty shops perform work on one or more specific automotive systems.
8. d. The service adviser prepares cost estimates.
9. a. The vehicle’s electronics have produced the greatest changes in today’s automobiles.
Electronics have affected the operation of almost every automotive system including
improvements to engine performance, emission control, braking systems, and passenger
comfort to name a few.
1‐3
, Automotive Technology: A Systems Approach, 4Ce
10. a. A successful technician must possess a good understanding of electronics.
11. d. Tire rotation would be performed under scheduled preventative maintenance. Water pump
replacement and transmission overhaul would only be performed when a failure or signs of
impending water pump or transmission failure occurs. Engine oil replacement is a regular
maintenance item that does not necessarily have to be only performed during a preventative
maintenance service.
12. b. The automobile manufacturer determines the new car warranty conditions for the
automobile’s engine and drive train systems.
13. d. The government mandates the length of time and amount of kilometres that emission control
devices are to be covered under warranty.
14. d. To become a certified automotive technician in most Canadian provinces you must complete
REENSG
an automotive service technician apprenticeship.
15. b. Although each province may set a minimum grade to obtain a provincial certificate, a 70
percent grade must be achieved to obtain a Red Seal endorsement.
16. c. A prorated warranty decreases over time.
17. a. A prorated warranty is commonly provided on tires and batteries.
18. c. Wholesalers are commonly known in the automotive industry as jobbers. Jobbers sell
aftermarket parts and supplies to automotive service shops and the general public.
19. a. The advantage of a Red Seal endorsement is that it allows an automotive service technician
to work in most Canadian provinces without further testing because it is recognized as a high
standard of achievement.
20. d. ASE testing in Canada is voluntary testing in various automotive technology areas.
© 2021 Nelson Education Ltd. 1‐4
