A career in auto mechanics gives one the responsibility to repair and perform diagnostic tests on automobiles. Some mechanics perform maintenance on heavy vehicles, and others specialize in off-road automobile parts like their engines, tires and brakes. A career in auto mechanics can be exceptionally rewarding especially for people who love automobiles.
Did you know that licensed and trained automotive mechanics are always in need? An automotive technician is highly valued in their respective field owing to their knowledge and ability to diagnose and repair vehicles and their parts. Many people depend upon auto mechanics in most of the situations where they are not able to fix their automobiles on their own.
Why Should One Become an Auto Mechanic?
Many people have had an ardent desire to become an auto mechanic from a young age. The reason behind this might be their fascination with cars and engines, their parts and the way they work. Some may have generated affection for cars in their teen years. On the other hand, others think they are just wired “mechanically” and learned naturally to be a hands-on worker.
All of us have ambitions and plans in our life. A career in auto mechanics is for those who love to be surrounded by automobiles and try out their hands-on skills on them.
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the salary of auto technicians is more than $44,000 yearly on an average. This gets on increasing with the experience one keeps ok gaining while working in the industry.
Some considerable reasons that would be sufficient to convince you as to why one should choose the auto mechanic industry are mentioned below.
1. Job Stability
The necessity for mechanics is the same as the need for doctors. No one knows where and when we are going to need them. Becoming an Auto Mechanic delivers you a distinct level of job security. A good Mechanic can never be unemployed, and the job can never run out of a vacancy.
2. No Student Loan Debt
Now-a-days, student loan debt of tens of thousands of dollars on college going teens for graduating is absolutely common. Choosing a job like auto repairing or Auto mechanics always means you can attend a trade school or a community college which costs a considerably affordable amount of money.
Skilled trades also allow you to enjoy an internship, technically referred to as an apprenticeship where you’re paid even when you learn the trade.
3. Advancement Opportunities
An auto mechanic is a licensed and governed trade. You can select the work according to
your wishes and continue it up to the master level (if you have the intention to do so). Master mechanics have a huge salary, job flexibility, and numerous alternatives than what many other careers can offer.
4. Job Variety
Auto Mechanics work in all aspects of the industries. You could find different types of job opportunities existent in the industry such as:
Automobile repairing
Expanding Auto systems
Developingnew Auto technologies.
5. Independence
Experienced Mechanics can constantly decide to go into business for themselves. Setting up your own Mechanics business means you can work when you prefer and where you prefer, which is incredible for those who have family responsibilities or want flexibility in their work schedule.
6. Personal Benefits
As an auto body technician, your body as well as your mind would be functioning all the time. Finding problems, creating solutions, and overseeing day-to-day job transactions will make your mind sharp, and the material requirements of the business can maintain your body active and strong.
8. Social Interaction
Auto Mechanic won’t be facing the risk of getting stuck in an office all day. You can be out and about, confronting and meeting new people all the time. If you’re a peace-loving person and devote your customer services to your clients, you will be able to gain a considerable amount of earning with these positive interactions.
9. Respect In The Profession
With the literacy rate increasing more and more, people are realising how important Mechanics are for the smooth transition of every sort of automobile. This certainly gave way to increasing respect for this trade in the eyes of people. Certainly, the whole public landscape of qualified trades is changing. After all, not everyone can be a good Mechanic. People try to fix things but rather than repairing them they end up making things worse.
The automobile industry is constantly improving. You won’t have to face any dilemma with an automotive career! With today’s improvements in technology, automobiles are frequently altering with improvements in body styles, parts manufacturing of spare parts, and technical aspects.
Conclusion
There is an assortment of employment opportunities available in the auto mechanicsindustry. Other options include crash test technicians, service consultants, auto parts specialists, auto repair garage owners, and many more. The only thing you need to do is to decide which aspect you like best. Is it Sales or services or repairs or engineering that you are interested in. Once you are done choosing, work hard in order to get the desired stability in your career in auto mechanics.
Automobiles and auto repair technicians are a crucial part of our daily lives. Whether it is commuting for our jobs, getting ready for our next family trip, or running errands, most of us prefer our own SUVs for the same. We love our cars so much that we always want someone as qualified as an auto repair technician to take charge of all the repairs and maintenance.
Becoming certified helps put clients at ease and ensures their confidence in you. More skills attract more customers; you become more viable, your prospects of a higher salary are maximized, and you could possibly kickstart your own auto repair business. Before watching out for the certifications you need to become an auto technician, it is imperative to decide which type of auto technician you want to become.
Types Of Automotive Technicians
Brake Technicians
A brake technician ensures that your brake linings, brake fluids, brake pads, and rotors work adequately. They repair, and replace the braking system of your car in case it malfunctions.
Front-end Technicians
These technicians are accountable to diagnose the riding and handling aspects of a vehicle, such as the vehicle’s wheel alignment, steering, tires, and suspension systems.
Diagnostic Technicians
These technicians diagnose the health of the car’s engine, check its engine performance, identify the problems, and perform engine repair to keep the cars running efficiently and smoothly.
Transmission Technicians
This auto body technician works on transmission systems of cars, such as the clutches, gear trains, and couplings.
Automotive Air-conditioning Technicians
This type of auto technician mechanic specialises in automotive air-conditioning. They install and repair the cooling and heating systems in your car.
Automotive Body and Glass Repairers
They replace and restore vehicle bodies, window glasses and windshields. They refinish the paint and dents on cars.
What Is The ASE Certification?
The independent, non-profit organization called the ‘National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence’ tests and certifies skilled auto mechanics and technicians. The ASE certification is the set standard credential that helps identify auto repair mechanics who have the desired skills and knowledge to effectively diagnose, repair, and maintain cars, trucks, SUVs, and every type of automobile.
One has to be present at the testing center for a CBT(computer-based test) which consists of about 40-75 multiple choice questions that helps assess the incumbent’s knowledge. One can prepare for the test and familiarize themselves with the testing environment by taking the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence’s sample tests online.
Once a person has registered for the test and is done paying the testing fee, he/she can give the certification test on the allotted date. Once the test is cleared, the person is certified to become an auto mechanic.
The Core Areas Of The Auto Mechanic Certification
ASE offers 8 different and core certificates for different vehicle types, such as cars, buses, trucks, and secondary systems. These certifications for each vehicle type ascertain one’s knowledge of repair and maintenance.
The career path for an auto repair mechanic generally starts at the Automobile repair shops and service centers. Recent graduates and the entry-level mechanics can kick start with the A-series exams, also known as the core areas necessary for a fulfilling career in the industry.
The A-series core certificates comprise Automobile and Light Truck certification exams which identify auto technicians who are able to render basic automotive services.
ASE also furnishes an additional A9 certificate for certain light vehicles. These below mentioned are the nine certificates that an auto mechanic can apply for:
A1: Engine Repair
A2: Automatic Transmission/Transaxle
A3: Manual DriveTrain & Axles
A4: Suspension & Steering
A5: Brakes
A6: Electrical/Electronic Systems
A7: Heating & Air Conditioning
A8: Engine Performance
A9: Light Vehicle Diesel Engines
How To Become A Master Technician?
ASE recognizes candidates who have passed all the A-series eight tests as Master Technicians. One can even obtain this Master technician’s status by clearing certain exams in a particular series like the collision repair (B series), E series, parts specialist(P series), and many more.
All the certificates in a series must be up to date. If their validity in the series expires, one loses their status of being a master technician and even a prosperous career in auto mechanics. If that is the case one will have to refer to recertification.
How to get an ASE Recertification?
An ASE certification is acceptable for five years only after which one can apply for the recertification tests to get recertified. He/She can do the same by paying the prescribed fee. One can also use the ASE Renewal App to easily extend the date of their certification using their phones, tables, or PC without visiting the test center in person.
Conclusion
An ASE certification is a great way to demonstrate one’s ability and skills as a qualified and proficient auto repair technician. The certification shows the customers that the technician is well-versed with their craft and also demonstrates that they have invested their time and effort into being a professional auto mechanic. ASE certifications boost one’s credibility and indicate a noteworthy achievement.
