文章基本信息

标题：Auto service techs of the 21st century: as automobiles have evolved and become more sophisticated, so have the skills of the men and women who repair them - Tech Connection
作者：Monika G. Vaccaro
期刊名称：Career World
印刷版ISSN：0744-1002
出版年度：2003
卷号：Jan 2003
出版社：Weekly Reader Corporation

Auto service techs of the 21st century: as automobiles have evolved and become more sophisticated, so have the skills of the men and women who repair them - Tech Connection

Monika G. Vaccaro

According to Tom Richardson, national manager-east of the Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) organization, there are over 20 computers and five mites of wiring in a typical new car today.

This should interest anyone who thinks repairing a car is just about turning a wrench.

"Automobiles are getting very computer-oriented," says Richardson. "We used to say the car had more computers than the space [craft] that put the man on the moon. Now we say the chip in the car radio has more computer power. It's more about electronics than changing parts."

Keep Them Running

Automotive service technicians inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks. They diagnose mechanical or electrical problems, determine the best approach (to repair or replace parts), and correct the problem. What has changed in the past 10 years or so is the way technicians do this work.

"In the past, a tech could go through and almost stumble on the problem," says Keith Littleton, automotive department chairman at Mid-Florida Tech in Orlando. "Now, there are so many POMs [Powertrain Control Modules]. They work like computers on a network. You have to be able to diagnose the problem. You can't just throw parts at it; the parts are too expensive."

Tools of the Trade

Today, technicians use a variety of diagnostic and testing tools to troubleshoot car problems and inspect parts. Littleton says that after speaking to the customer about the car's symptoms, technicians use tools such as scanners to diagnose the problem. A computer in the car records data such as the temperature and the speed of the vehicle when the problem occurs. The scanner reads this information and displays it for the technician.

Data recorders are also used to help diagnose problems. "A data recorder records everything that happens," says Littleton. "If you have an intermittent problem, a tech can put the data recorder on the vehicle and let the owner drive with it for a week."

There is also much more information available to technicians through computer systems today. Car manufacturer information and technical manuals are examples of data found in the various computer systems that technicians use to stay on top of their trade.

"In a dealership setting, technicians must look at millions of pages of text over their careers," says Littleton. "They must be able to read and comprehend what they read. They must be able to communicate what has been done to the car."

"Techs consult continuously," says Ben E. Dellamo, owner of several automotive shops in New Jersey. "No one can know everything, but a professional can get the answer."

"Once diagnosis is done, it's a matter of replacing the components," Littleton says. "I tell my techs [that] it's a job of passing or failing components. Techs don't fix the computers. The only thing they may do to a PCM is reprogram it, and they would use the same scanner to reprogram. Otherwise, if there's a defect, we will just toss it."

Detective Work with a Love for Cars

Diagnosis is a large part of working on a car. So technicians must enjoy, and be skilled at, solving problems.

"I equate it to putting together a puzzle," says Littleton. "Every time I fix a car, I want to fix another. There's a thrill when you fix a car nobody else could fix. A good technician has that feeling."

A good technician must also love cars. "I am a car enthusiast," says Kurt Mesmer, a senior master technician and service manager at a Lincoln-Mercury dealership in Budd Lake, New Jersey. "You should love the cars you're working on. If you work for a Ford dealership, you should love Fords. When I interview people, it's one of the first things I ask them."

Continuing Education Makes a Difference

Having a passion for cars and being good at problem solving are not enough. Today's techs must continue learning, as the industry and the change at a fast pace. Most employers seek technicians who have completed a formal training program.

Educational programs available to automotive service technicians include community colleges, vocational schools, manufacturer training, and certification programs, such as ASE (the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence).

"Professionally, I got my start from vo-tech," says Mesmer. "I went to a lot of training afterward, all through Ford. It has taken me four years, and I have completed all of Ford's training and all ASE certification. Considering what I know now, I think back to when I was 18, and I knew nothing."

Women Enter the Field

"There are a lot more women getting into the automotive field," says Lois O'Neal, who has worked in the automotive industry for 30 years. "Cars are becoming more computerized and technical. We're going away from the heavier work. Most of the technicians today don't get dirty, not like they used to. It's a job that lends itself well to women. If they like the technical, the computer, and the thought processes of problem-solving, they could make a fortune."

"One thing that makes women good at this is their attention to detail," says Richardson. "[A woman] will read everything in the service manual, every line, until she finds the problem."

Certification = Higher Earnings

An experienced master tech in a metropolitan area can earn more than $40,000 per year. ASE certification gives technicians more earning power and an edge in the job market. Certified master technicians can earn between $70,000 and $100,000.

"In a busy shop in a metropolitan area, I've seen W2's [tax forms] well over $100,000," says Littleton, whose former students return to show him their pay stubs.

Transportable

Many technicians work for automobile dealerships and independent automotive repair shops. Other employment opportunities include gasoline service stations (although they're on the decline), franchises, and automotive service departments of department stores. Some mechanics are self-employed.

The bottom line is that technicians can find work anywhere in the U.S.

Focus on the Future

High school students interested in becoming automotive service techs should take courses in automotive repair, mathematics, English, computers, science, and electronics. "They should also try to get in to a school-to-work program, such as AYES," says Littleton. "If you think you're going to go into this field, get into a co-op work program like AYES. We need to get [you] in a shop as soon as possible."

Industry Outlook

There is a shortage of qualified technicians today, and growth in this profession is expected to continue. "In the industry, we say there's a shortage of crisis proportions," says Richardson.

Littleton estimates that we will need about 50,000 technicians in the U.S. by 2005. "In Florida, right now we're shy by about 2,000 techs."

"In the next 10 years, we will see changes," says Littleton. "Vehicles will get so sophisticated they will surpass the technician. The techs will have to do the checks and replace the components. But there's no doubt in my mind that you will have to have a technician diagnosing problems. The need for technicians will increase due to the number of vehicles and the technology."