Skilled motor technicians needed in SA

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“With vehicles becoming increasingly more complex, workshop technicians, or mechanics as we know them, are expected to be able to operate at more and more complex and technical levels. We are seeing some of our top mechanics being poached by international companies which is sad considering we need their skills in South Africa,” he says.

More jobs available

This is not a surprising trend considering that the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted in 2012 that the number of jobs for auto mechanics in the US will increase by 17% by 2020. That translates into an additional 124,800 jobs by 2020. According to the statistics, growth factors include an increase in the number of vehicles, the longer life of newer cars and the use of advanced technologies, such as hybrid fuel systems. “Because the need for skilled workers is starting to exceed the demand, those with training in advanced auto technology, such as computer systems, have good prospects in the US and other countries,” explains Mc Master.

“The exciting news is that there is a growing demand for skilled technicians in South Africa too and a good specialist technician can earn a respectable salary in South Africa depending on their level of expertise. It’s also an industry that encourages small business development which is a must for job creation in this country.”

Type of work has changed

Les Mc Master, Director of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA)

He also encourages those thinking about entering this job space to do so. “Workshop technicians perform a unique job that requires the skills and ability to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical hands-on and problem solving ability on a daily basis. Typically automotive service technicians and mechanics maintain and fix cars and light trucks. However the type of work we do has changed over the years. It used to be simple mechanical repairs. Today it is a highly technical job since vehicles today are run by electronic systems and computers,” he says.

He explains that to do the job, technicians must know a lot about how complex parts of the vehicle work together. “Mechanics must be able to work with electronic equipment and be able to read and understand manuals and machines that are computer-based. At the same time they must be able to use the power- and hand-tools we’ve used in the past. Because there are so many parts to a vehicle some mechanics specialise in fixing only one certain part of it. For example, some technicians will only fix brakes while others will solely work on problems with the air-conditioning system. It’s a hands-on job that is very rewarding,” he says.

Mc Master says problem solving is a vital skill if you are considering a career as a mechanic. “Maths and computer science are good subjects to do if you have an interest in this field,” he says.

Formal and on-the-job training is essential. “There are some good courses you can take to become certified. Practical training is obviously also vital. While studying, it is highly recommended that you do an apprenticeship at a workshop.”

Independent workshops

Most mechanics will start out working for a workshop and get several years of practical experience under their belt before considering venturing off to open their own business. A large number of qualified technicians in South Africa go on to own their own independent workshop while the others work for dealerships, workshops, parts and supplies retailers, and so on. “There are many job opportunities in this industry, especially for those with some formal training.”

Mc Master highly recommends upskilling for those already in the industry. “Advanced skills are in demand. There are some excellent on-the-job courses available, such as MIWA’s Master Technician Programme, which will take your formal training to the next level. There’s no doubt that we are an industry seeing massive change in technology. Workshops that are ahead of the curve in terms of repair skills will really reap the benefits in the years to come,” he concludes.