Become an Automotive Electrician

Automotive electricians repair and install the electrical wiring and electronic systems in motor vehicles. If you want to work with your hands, learn a trade, and work in a detail-oriented technical field, then a career as an automotive electrician could be right for you. To get started, take the necessary courses and training programs to learn the skills you’ll need. Then, apply for and acquire all the required licenses and certifications. Finally, apply for jobs and start working as an automotive electrician to start your new career!

Steps

Acquiring the Necessary Skills

1. Take extra English and maths classes in high school. Maths and English are the most important subjects to excel in if you want to become an automotive electrician. Sign up for as many elective English and maths courses as your primary education allows for to develop your skills in these subjects.
   • You may have to prove certain qualifications in English and maths to get into an apprenticeship later on.
2. Pursue a postsecondary automotive electrician vocational degree. Sign up for an automotive electrician program at a local college, technical institute, or trade school. Pass all the required classes to learn the technical skills you will need and get your basic educational requirements.
   • If you can’t find a program specifically for automotive electricians, you could take a more general automotive repair and maintenance course that includes electrical training.
   • A postsecondary automotive electrician program will teach you essential skills related to automotive electronics including more general electrical knowledge like electrical theory and circuit diagrams.
3. Complete an automotive electrician apprenticeship or training program. Search for an apprenticeship or training program and apply to it. Fulfill all the time requirements of the program to become qualified to work as an automotive electrician.{{greenbox: Tip: Depending on where you live and want to work, you might be able to become an automotive electrician by going straight into an apprenticeship or training program, without first taking a postsecondary educational program. You can do some research online to find out the exact requirements in your area.}}
   • An apprenticeship or training program will allow you to work with more experienced automotive electricians and technicians to develop your skills and gain on-the-job experience.
   • You can search for these types of programs online or inquire at local vocational and technical schools.
4. Learn basic auto mechanic skills. Study how engine components and systems interact with electrical components and systems while you are receiving your education and training in automotive electrical work. You will need to be able to take apart certain mechanical components to perform electrical work.
   • You will learn basic mechanical skills when you take courses in automotive electrical work and undergo an apprenticeship or training program, so just be sure to pay attention to the mechanical side of things in addition to the electrical parts of vehicles.
5. Acquire knowledge of how to measure and understand electrical currents. Study how to measure the voltage, current, and resistance of automotive electrical circuits. This is how you will be able to identify common electrical problems in vehicles, such as shorts, opens, and overloads.
   • This is something you will learn the basis of during a vocational degree program in automotive electrical work. You will then be able to apply what you learned during an apprenticeship or automotive electrician training program to fix real-life problems.
   • You’ll need to use a variety of tools to measure electrical flows on the job. For example, a digital voltmeter is used to measure the voltage of a battery, and ammeter is used to measure the current through a circuit, and an ohmmeter is used to measure electrical resistance.

Getting Licenses and Certifications

1. Ensure you have a full driver’s license for the vehicles you want to work on. Apply for a regular driver’s license if you don’t already have one. Acquire any additional license certifications, such as bus or commercial vehicle certifications, if you want to work on larger or more specialized vehicles.
   • Employers will require that you have the required driver’s licenses so that you can legally operate any of the vehicles you work on.
2. Research the required licenses and certifications for auto electricians in your area. Do an online search using keywords like “automotive electrician certification requirements” and the name of where you live. This will provide you with information about the exact certifications and licenses that are needed in your area, since the requirements vary around the world.
   • For example, if you live in the United Kingdom, you can search by typing something like “automotive electrician certification requirements in the UK” into a search engine.
   • For instance, in Australia you may need a motor vehicle tradesperson certificate with an automotive electrician classification. In the United States you may need to be a licensed journeyman. In some areas, like the UK, you might only need certificates that prove you completed courses and training programs in automotive electrical work.
3. Apply for all the necessary licenses and certifications. Read through the required qualifications for each type of license and certification that you need to ensure you meet them all. Fill out the online application for each one that is required and pay any fees to get approved.Template:Greenbox: '''Tip''': Make sure you know how long each license and certification is valid for so you know when to renew them and don’t accidentally let them expire.
   • Exact application processes vary, but in general you will need to provide your personal information, details about all your training programs, supporting documentation to prove completion of the programs, and payment details.

Working as an Auto Electrician

1. Apply for jobs at garages and workshops. Call around or visit local automotive garages and workshops and ask if they are hiring, then give your resume to any that have openings. Go through the interview process and get hired as an automotive electrician.
   • Make sure your resume is up to date with all the details of your education, training, skills, certifications, and licenses.
2. Use test equipment to locate electrical problems in vehicles and fix them. Recognize that your primary job duty is to diagnose and troubleshoot vehicle electrical malfunctions and issues. Repair and replace things like alternators, generators, voltage regulators, starter motors, ignitions, electrical wiring, fuses, lamps, and switches.
   • You can use a multimeter that has different functions for measuring volts, amps, and ohms in order to test and diagnose different electrical issues in vehicles.
   • You will also be responsible for installing new electrical systems and components in vehicles. For example, you might have to install things like reverse cameras.
3. Provide good customer service. Discuss automotive electrical problems and the options to fix them with your customers. Be polite, courteous, and a good listener. Be ready to answer all the customer’s questions and be patient when answering them and explaining things to the customer.Template:Greenbox: '''Tip''': Showing your boss that you can handle other aspects of the job, not just the technical work, will help you advance your career.
   • This will help acquire repeat customers at the garage or workshop where you work.

References

See also

• Use Terminal on Mac
• Join the Army Corps of Engineers
• Get an Engineering Internship
• Find an Engineering Internship
• Create a Python Dictionary
• Become a Scrum Master
• Become a Freelance Programmer
• Act Ethically As an Engineer
• Become a System Support Enggineer Without Much Education Qualification
• Succeed in a Mechanical Engineering Career

Read more ...