Vehicles we have today consist of more technology than ever before. They have great facilities like self-driving and parking abilities and also automatic braking. This technology needs skilled professionals to build, maintain and repair them. As a result of the rapidly changing technology, automotive technology is moving forward greatly with new innovations.Technology has improved the safety, performance and efficiency of motor vehicles steadily over the last century.
What is Automotive Technology?
Automotive Technology or Vehicle Technology can simply be referred to the study of self-propelled vehicles or machines which applies to standard automobiles, sports cars, trains, trailers, marine vehicles, etc. It includes the creation, design, maintenance and repairs required. This involves the engine and other systems, engineering, mechanics and computer technology. This doesn’t apply to consumer vehicles alone. Public transportation, heavy machinery and heavy trucks also require automotive technicians and those who work in the automotive field must continue to learn new technology, software and equipment as the industry grows.This vehicles are called modern automobiles.
Automotive Technology Education
It is possible to work in automotive technology without a degree, but it is getting more difficult to find companies who employ uncertified technicians in the world of today. Industry certification is usually required. Having a degree in automotive technology would help aspiring employees develop important skills and provide them with valuable experience in the field.There are ways to start or continue your education in automotive technology. Here are some programs or certifications you can consider:
- Associate degree in automotive technology: This is a two-year degree at an accredited program where you learn the basics of engines, repair, maintenance, transmission, heating and cooling, suspension and computer technology in vehicles. The associate degree primarily focuses on the introductory part of automotive technology. It will likely prepare you for work in the service, maintenance, repair or manufacturing level.
- Bachelor’s or master’s degrees:Advanced degrees give you broader concepts in automotive technology including management or leadership, and you would focus on one particular area of automotive technology like alternative fuel systems, dynamics and control, or transportation systems. Practical skills will be developed and you would be given opportunities to explore the research and technologies of automotive innovations.
- Certifications: Certifications in automotive technology functions as a substitute to an associate degree. It is possible to earn various levels of certification, even if you don’t earn a degree. These include certificates in automotive technology, diesel technology, proficiency in drivability and drivetrain, quick service certificates or transmission service certificates.
Benefit of Automobile Technology
The aim of automobile technology is to reduce the rate of crashes and ensure road safety. Here are some benefits of automobile technologies:
- Blind spot technology helps detect and warn of vehicle drivers who are unable to see alongside their car. The manufacturer constructs the system to provide visual, audible or tactile alerts, such as steering wheel or seat vibration, to alert drivers that it is unsafe to change or merge lanes.
- Using cameras and other sensors like radars or laser, forward collision warning systems alert drivers with an audible, visual or haptic cue if they are closing in too quickly on a car or object ahead. Advanced systems featuring automatic emergency braking can stop a car to avoid a collision at slower speeds, or reduce the collision force at higher speeds.
- On roads with clear markings, lane departure warning systems can alert drivers if their car begins to drift out of a lane to avoid crashes. Using cameras to monitor striped and solid lane markings, the feature alerts drivers with visual, audible or haptic cues. Use of the turn signal overrides lane departure warnings.
Benefits of working in automotive technology
There are a lot of benefits in an automotive technology career. A few are talked about below:
- Wide-ranging opportunities: There are a lot of opportunities in automotive technology spanning multiple industries like heavy equipment, tractor-trailers, recreational vehicles and personal-use, consumer vehicles.
- Growing technology: You will learn to operate new and changing technology and how to repair it as that new technology develops. It helps increase your knowledge about your field of study and how wide technology is growing.
- Service-based opportunities: A whole lot of careers in automotive technology majorly focus on vehicle service,which is helping customers. You can help others by rendering your services to them with the knowledge you have of automotive technology.
- Demand: Automotive technology is a career with jobs in almost any location, and vehicles are likely to be used for the foreseeable future. With how fast and wide technology is growing some jobs would no longer be needed but for people with automotive technology knowledge they would forever be relevant.
Skills for automotive technology jobs
These skills are majorly needed while working in an automotive technology job:
- Critical thinking: When customers come to you with a problem, you’ll have to use your critical-thinking skills to determine what the problem is and how to get the problem fixed. And you may need to ensure there are no potential issues with new technology.
- Problem-solving: As known by many that automotive technology jobs are service-based, resolving vehicle issues is a common job responsibility. You’ll often use your problem-solving skills to identify problems and recommend solutions to your customers.
- Communication: You have to be good with communication because automotive technology is a highly technical field, you may need to translate complicated concepts to people who have less subject knowledge than you. You must be able to communicate with your customers in a way they would understand.
- Customer service: Customers can get frustrated with things they might not understand, so you’ll want to leverage your customer service skills in a way that makes them feel helped and understood. You must be able to stay calm and listen to your customers no matter how rude they may be because customers are always right.
Job Opportunities In Automotive Technology
Here are some job opportunities that are available in automobile technology:
- Equipment Operators: Equipment operators use heavy equipment, usually construction equipment, to move materials around on a job site. Machinery could include forklifts, bulldozers, cargo trucks and cranes. This helps with the construction or destruction of new buildings or infrastructure.
- Automotive Service Technicians: Automotive service technicians often work in the service departments of auto body shops, assessing issues in cars, recommending solutions and fixing cars when possible. They are also responsible for routine maintenance, such as oil changes. Automotive service technicians must communicate issues or maintenance needs to customers, so they can understand.
- Maintenance Mechanic:A maintenance mechanic is a worker who works on the general upkeep of vehicles or other machinery. They handle the installation, upkeep and sometimes the inspection of newly installed or older equipment. Maintenance mechanics work is typically preventative to avoid vehicle issues at a later date.
- Trailer Mechanics: Working with truck drivers and fleet mechanics, trailer mechanics service, repair and inspect the engines and basic functions of large vehicles such as trucks and trailers. Trailers are constantly in use carrying goods so proper maintenance is necessary to the safety of the driver and to complete jobs like product delivery. These mechanics might require advanced skills in welding and construction besides basic mechanic skills.
- Diesel mechanics: They work primarily with diesel engines, typically in larger vehicles like trucks and buses. They consult with their customers, inspect and diagnose problems and repair equipment when needed. Often, diesel mechanics must work with advanced power and machine tools.
- Machine operators: They use heavy machinery to transport objects from one location to another. They primarily work in factories or other industrial settings, working closely with technicians and site supervisors. Machine operators might need to set up equipment and monitor the efficiency and quality of the machines.
- Automotive Shop Foreperson: The shop foreperson oversees the day-to-day operations of an auto body shop. They must ensure all mechanics and technicians are following appropriate protocols, customers are happy and employees receive training to inspect, repair and maintain vehicle equipment and tools. Forepeople need to be trained in mechanic skills as well and often perform shop duties along with their service and maintenance mechanics.
- Quality Control Inspector: The quality control inspector ensures all equipment is up to national, manufacturer and industry standards. They report defects or other malfunctions back to the client and follow up to ensure the client has remediated any issues. Inspectors must interpret blueprints and maps and understand different standards when verifying equipment is safe for use.
- Automotive Body and Glass Repairer: Auto body and glass repairers replace, fix, finish or restore parts of the car unrelated to the engine. This can include doors, windows, the windshield or bumpers. Sometimes they handle larger, structural jobs such as realigning the body of a vehicle.