Vehicle Serviceperson Profile
The way I got involved in the industry was fairly basic I guess – all I did was love cars. Back on our farm at home, Dad was always encouraging me to help him with tractors, so I got used to fiddling with the engine and brakes and soon enough it became second nature. I didn’t fully understand how much I actually knew, simply because I only saw it as a bit of fun.
So naturally enough I got involved at a young age working within a service station, just doing the basics, and my interest carried over into adulthood.
It took me a while to find my feet though. After a brief stint firstly working on maintaining heavy equipment and cranes, I began working with the Ambulance Service; basically servicing their vehicles in the workshop. Then I decided to take a plunge and open my own business. After a number of successful years I then took a step back and began a job as a Vehicle Serviceperson. The pressure wasn’t as intense in this position, and I was able to fall back into my love for the industry.
It is difficult to pinpoint, in fact I don’t think it was even anything specific; it all just interested me, ever since primary school. I knew I wanted to work in the automotive industry, so I just went and did it!
The work I do
At the moment I am involved in the servicing of cooling, petrol fuel and diesel fuel injection systems, clutch assemblies, manual and automatic transmissions, braking systems, final drive assemblies and drivelines and steering and suspension systems. So I get a wide range of exposure to a lot of different areas of a car.
I guess that is the beauty about my position – I am never really limited to one specific area such as brakes or transmission. I’m pretty confident working on almost anything automotive.
Cars are continually changing and developing as the limits of technology expand. Computers do play a fairly significant role now, particular with diagnosing any faults within the braking systems. But I believe that once you know the basics, then you are fairly competent in your trade and can tackle most problems.
My workplace
I guess we are in a pretty big workshop here. The place is fairly new, so there is still a clean feel about the shop. We are lucky because there is a heap of room to move in and work without feeling closed in. We also work with some pretty sensational equipment, which tends to gives the staff a bit of a buzz.
There is a real sense of mateship about the place. We have a great atmosphere, and everyone gets along well considering we have so many people from different age groups and cultural backgrounds.
Education and training
I never finished year 12. Instead I began an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic through trade school. After the formal training I remained working as a mechanic for quite some time.
My most recent training included attaining a Certificate II in Automotive
(Mechanical – Vehicle Servicing). I haven’t particularly given
any thought to any further training, as I have developed enough experience
now that not much really challenges me.
>> course/qualification
Why I love this industry…
I love seeing what they will come up with next. That’s what really spurs me on. All the developments in electronics, it just constantly moves at a rapid pace. I was always really motivated when working with such amazing technology and hardware, and I can safely say that passion has never left me!
So I have always loved the industry; I even end up taking my work home where I have started a bit of engine servicing in my garage. I’ll just keep going with it. I get a kick out it!