Before a job candidate can become an automotive mechanic, he or she must first become an automotive apprentice in order to learn the necessary skills and techniques. An automotive apprentice will work under the direction and supervision of an experienced automotive mechanic, usually full-time, in order to receive on-the-job training in mechanic duties. The apprentice will have already received some training, and the apprenticeship program will last anywhere from one to five years to ensure a thorough education on the job.
An automotive apprentice may work for a privately owned auto repair shop or for a car manufacturer. In either case, many of the tasks performed the automotive apprentice will be basic at first, such as cleaning or retrieving parts. The apprentice will begin to perform basic automotive repair or maintenance duties as the apprenticeship progresses. The experienced mechanic will be in charge of overseeing the apprentice’s work, and no vehicles that the apprentice has worked on will leave the shop until the experienced mechanic has thoroughly inspected and tested them.
During the apprenticeship period, the automotive apprentice may be required to attend some classroom training. Much of the apprentice’s classroom training will prepare him or her for the necessary certifications or licenses to work as a full-time licensed mechanic. In other cases, classroom instruction may include details about specific automobile systems, such as electrical or hydraulic systems. However, the majority of the apprenticeship will be spent in a shop performing hands-on repairs and maintenance. Before the apprentice can complete the apprenticeship, he or she will need to pass any necessary certification exams.
After completing the apprenticeship and obtaining all necessary certifications, the automotive apprentice can begin working as a full-time mechanic. The company where the apprentice completed his apprenticeship may choose to hire him or her, though the new mechanic may need to look for work elsewhere in some cases. In some areas, automotive unions exist, and if the apprentice chooses to join one, additional job resources may become available to him or her. Membership in a labor union is not always required, but in some areas, it may be required before a mechanic can work for any automotive company.