Whether your vehicle's electronic fuel injection pump is on the blink or you need a new electrical alternator installed, you'll need the services of an automotive electrician.

There are about 780 automotive electricians in Western Australia. Although the majority (62%) work in the Perth metropolitan area, the remainder of the State's regions each share a small slice of this occupational workforce.

And although almost all automotive electricians are male, employers strongly encourage females to consider this occupation.

To become an automotive electrician, it is necessary to complete an apprenticeship. Licensing may also be required sometime in the future. For further information about licensing, contact Swan TAFE or Automotive Training Australia.

The Certificate I in Automotive (Pre-Apprentice Electrical) may improve your chances of securing an apprenticeship. Each year, about 30 training places are offered in the pre-apprenticeship course. In 2005, 81 people commenced the Certificate III apprenticeship.

Automotive electricians install, maintain, and identify faults in, and carry out repairs to electrical wiring and electrical and electronic systems in vehicles, and other related machines such as mining and marine equipment.


The Detective Within

According to automotive electrician, Greg Best, if he has to repair an electrical fault in a vehicle, the first thing he would do is assess the vehicle and locate the fault using diagnostic testing equipment.

''If it's an electrical component such as an alternator, I'd need to check if it's charging. If not, I'd remove the alternator and take it apart, I'd literally strip it down to nothing. I might have to install new parts such as bearings, brushes or a regulator and rectifier, which converts the current from AC to DC and regulates the amount of electricity coming out of the alternator into the battery.''

The same procedure would be carried out during the repair of faults in a cruise control system, airbags or electronically controlled management systems.

Automotive electricians also install electrical equipment such as lighting systems or starter motors, or electrically operated accessories in vehicles such as radios, air conditioners and anti-theft systems.

To repair and install electrical and electronic equipment, automotive electricians need to have a good understanding of electrical wiring systems.


Diversity In Your Day

Most drivers know how important it is to have their vehicles serviced regularly, another task handled by automotive electricians. During a tune up for instance, automotive electricians may adjust engine control systems and timing to ensure that vehicles can run at peak performance. For repair and maintenance tasks, automotive electricians need to be able to detect existing faults, and foresee any near-future electrical and electronic problems.

Diversity In Your Day

If you are looking for variety and challenges at work, you will find it in this job. According to another local automotive electrician, each vehicle has a different problem so it's rarely boring at work.

An increasing number of vehicles today come equipped with computerised and electronically controlled systems - everything from components in the motor to mobile phones. As a result, there has been a corresponding increase in the use of diagnostic equipment to locate electrical and electronic faults in vehicles.

Automotive electricians are under increasing pressure to keep up with the introduction of new diagnostic equipment and to understand how to use it. Ongoing training and learning is critical, therefore, for these tradespersons if they are to stay abreast of such changes.


Cliched But True: The Customer Comes First

Aside from a commitment to ongoing learning, automotive electricians also need excellent customer service skills. They often have direct contact with customers, some of whom can get impatient.

''Most customers want their car yesterday,'' says Greg Best.

On the technical side, in this job you need a sound understanding of electrical and electronic systems. A systematic and thorough approach is also a must as are good problem solving skills.

You'll also have to be confident using hand tools, specialised electrical tools and instruments, and machines such as drills, grinders and lathes.

Automotive electricians work mostly from an automotive electrical workshop, vehicle dealerships or service stations. Occasionally, they may be called out to someone's home or workplace.

According to industry representatives, there is a significant shortage of automotive electricians in Western Australia. So the good news is, 'Go forth all ye who would like to join this occupation'.

The starting award salary for a qualified automotive electrician is about $35,000, and this may go to around $45,000 after gaining a few years' experience. In addition, automotive electricians receive a tool allowance. Given the current shortage of skilled workers, employers may be willing to pay considerably higher than the award rate. It is also possible to earn above the award rate if you venture into self employment. For more information regarding these salaries, you can check out the Australian Government Workplace Authority website below or contact an employer or these tradespeople directly.

To become an automotive electrician, it is necessary to complete an Automotive Electrical Fitting Tecnology apprenticeship. Off-the-job training associated with the apprenticeship can only be undertaken through the Swan College of TAFE (Carlisle).

However, you may be able to commence your vocational training for this job while still at school. Modules of the Certificate I in Automotive (Electrical) can be undertaken at this level. For more information on how you can do this, contact your school's career adviser or VET coordinator.

Another pathway into the occupation worth considering is through the traineeship in Automotive (Electrical) which can lead on to the apprenticeship.

For further information on traineeships and apprenticeships, please contact the Australian Apprenticeships Hotline on 1800 639 629 (FREECALL).

A Certificate I in Automotive (Pre Apprentice Electrical), is also offered through Swan TAFE. For further information about this course, please contact the Swan College of TAFE (Carlisle), or check out the TAFE site below.

	TAFE Colleges
	Homepage links and contact details for all TAFE Colleges in WA.
	TAFE Handbook
	An online guide to full-time TAFE courses available throughout WA.

Automotive Training Australia (WA)
PO Box 1820 Osborne Park WA 6017 Ph: (08) 9244 8111 Email: josie@autoitc.com.au URL:www.motor.net.au/ata

Motor Trade Association of Western Australia Inc
PO Box 727 Balcatta WA 6021 Ph: (08) 9345 3466 or 1800 652 300 (Country callers only) Email: mtawa@mtawa.com.au URL:www.mtawa.com.au

Motor Industry Training Association (WA)
11 Kirke Street Balcatta WA 6021 Ph: (08) 9240 8044 Email: alexbrown@mita.net.au

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When automotive electrician, Peter Hackett, started his automotive apprenticeship, a 1972 Holden was a pretty advanced model as far as auto electrics were concerned.

''Now it's an antique. Today's cars are really advanced and it's more the norm rather than the exception for them to feature computerised and electronic components.''

Peter regularly tends to the electrical and electronic gadgets that keep motors in top condition and prevent the brakes from locking the wheels.

Peter has worked as an automotive electrician for the past 20 years, many of which were spent running his own business. His initial choice of career was not without conflict.

''I did work experience in the automotive industry when I was still at school but I couldn't make up my mind whether to become a mechanic or an auto electrician. I opted for this job because it combined mechanics and electrics.''

That hurdle over, Peter went on to TAFE and completed a pre-apprenticeship course and then his apprenticeship. If the fact that Peter went on to be offered three jobs after TAFE is any indication of how much he would eventually enjoy the occupation, then his career took off in first gear!

''I love what I do. That's because it's always challenging. I'm confronted with new problems each day. If everything was the same, day in and day out, it would be boring.''

According to Peter, his time in self employment made a great job even better, albeit much more demanding. Although self-employed automotive electricians need to take care of business matters, they can generally still be found in the workshop, doing what these tradespersons are trained to do.

''There's a lot of time and effort involved. My workshop was a small business so I was a worker, supervisor and owner all rolled into one and I would typically put in a 14 hour day.''

Like all customer service related occupations, Peter has come across his share of irate customers.

''They're not happy to begin with because something is wrong with their car and most customers want their car 'yesterday'. You try and meet everyone's needs, but it's not always going to happen.''

Aside from some customer relationships savvy and the technical skills you'll need in this occupation, Peter strongly recommends ongoing learning to help you keep up with the rapid changes occurring in the vehicles of today.

''Be dedicated to the full apprenticeship and keep on learning, otherwise you'll fall behind.''