The Vehicle Repair Industry
Automotive and diesel technicians diagnose and repair the many systems that work together to make vehicles function. These include combustion, exhaust, electrical, braking, heating and cooling, pneumatic (air compression), and hydraulic (liquid compression) systems. Automotive technicians work on cars, vans, trucks, and motorcycles from all manufacturers from the past hundred years. Electric vehicles are becoming more common and this adds to the complexity. Diesel technicians don’t have it any easier. They work on semi trucks, buses, trains, ships, planes, construction and mining equipment, and even military vehicles like tanks. These jobs require a lot of knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems and a variety of tools and equipment.
JRTI has two programs to prepare you for working in the Vehicle Repair field. You will learn about these programs in the next two lessons.
Who Works in Vehicle Repair?
Example Job Titles
- Automobile Technician
- Service Writer
- Shop Foreman
- Service Manager
- Parts Specialist
- Parts Manager
- Shop Owner
- Diesel Mechanic
- Bus Mechanic
- General Repair Mechanic
- Diesel Technician
- Truck Mechanic
- Service Technician
- Preventive Maintenance Technician
Education Requirements
Although many people enter this industry without a college degree, most job listings will state that a four-year Bachelors Degree is required. A certificate from a technical school or a two-year Associates Degree can get your career started. However, higher levels of education can increase the opportunities you will have. Even if you plan to attend college, studying this field in high school can give you the foundational skills that will make your college experience easier.
Example College Programs
- Mechanical Engineering and Automotive Design – WVU, Morgantown, WV
- Automotive Analysis & Repair – Blue Ridge CTC, Martinsburg, WV
- Applied Technologies – UNOH, Lima, OH
- Auto Technology – Lincoln College of Technology (formerly NADC), Nashville, TN
- Automotive Technician – Universal Technical College(UTI), Exton, PA
- Diesel Technology – WyoTech, Blairesville, PA
- Aviation Maintenance Technology – Pittsburgh Inst. of Aeronautics, Pittsburg, PA
Frequency of Skills Used in this Field
| Skill Categories | Very Often | Often | Occasionally | Rarely |
| Hands-on/operate equipment and tools | X | |||
| Critical thinking/creative problem solving | X | |||
| Basic math problem solving | X | |||
| Advanced math problem solving | X | |||
| Computers & technology | X | |||
| Written communication | X | |||
| Interpersonal and social | X |