10 Automotive Careers

The Canadian automotive industry is experiencing a shortage of qualified workers. If you love cars and are interested in automotive careers, here are ten auto careers to consider.
1. Quality Control Inspector
In an automotive parts assembly plant, the quality control inspector examines products for defects or blemishes before sending them out to market.
2. New Car Sales Representative
Auto sales training at an auto sales college can help you break into a career as a car salesperson. Top performers can earn as much as $100,000 a year. A certificate from an auto sales college teaches prospective salespeople about the intricacies of today’s market, which has undergone a lot of changes in recent years.
3. Collision Estimator
After a car accident, collision estimators are responsible for assessing the level of damage. They prepare reports for:
• repair shops
• car rental companies
• insurance companies
These reports can include:
• repair times
• paint times
Like many auto careers, collision estimating involves the use of specialized industry software, and, therefore, requires some computer skills.
4. Auto Body Technician
Auto careers include auto body specialists who:
• apply anti-rust treatments to cars
• apply undercoats
• match colours
• mix and apply paints
This is one of the automotive careers that calls for:
• attention to detail
• creativity (matching colours, designing and carrying out custom paint jobs).
5. Parts Specialist
This is one of the automotive careers that requires both technical knowledge and customer service skills. Parts specialists help individuals or professionals find the replacement parts they need.
6. CAD Operator
CAD stands for computer-aided design. CAD operators use computer tools to design automobiles and other vehicles.
7. Heavy Duty Equipment Service Technician
There are a range of automotive careers for mechanics. Heavy duty mechanics work in such industries as:
• mining
• forestry
• landscaping
They inspect, diagnose and repair such vehicles as:
• bulldozers
• graders
• loaders
• tractors
• forklifts
• buses
• trucks
• drills
8. Trailer Mechanic
Another one of the possible auto careers for mechanics is trailer mechanic. This kind of mechanic repairs, maintains, rebuilds and overhauls commercial trailers.
Trailer mechanics must understand:
• proper lifting procedures
• preventative maintenance
• brakes
• basic hydraulics
• electrical theory
9. Workshop Foreman
Auto careers also include management positions, such as overseeing the functions in a body shop:
• oversee repairs
• assign work
• oversee productivity
• ensure quality
10. Auto Assembly
Auto assembly encompasses a range of auto careers and includes such tasks as:
• welding
• rust-proofing
• painting
This list is just the beginning. According to the Globe and Mail newspaper, there are 75 cars on the road in Canada for every 100 people aged 16 or over. The high number of cars in this country translates into a high number of automotive careers.
Contact the Automotive Training Centres for more information on their programs.