Learn the skills you need to become a motor mechanic!

The Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology will provide you with the essential skills required to become a motor mechanic. Have you been considering turning your passion for cars into a full-time career? This list will give you an overview of what you’ll learn on our comprehensive automotive course.

Working as a part of an automotive team requires more than just a knowledge about how to repair cars and motorbikes. Motor mechanics must work well with others, maintain a safe workspace, and always be conscious about their environmental impact.

As a part of the certificate, you will learn to communicate effectively in the workplace. In addition, you will explore how to explain your messages to others clearly and work with colleagues to ensure common understanding, whether in writing, by email or in person. You will also look at how to maintain tools and equipment and create a safe workspace for everyone.

Environmental issues are of the utmost importance nowadays and the Certificate III acknowledges this. During the course, you will monitor your environmental impact; from minimising contamination by liquid waste to monitoring hazardous emissions. Each of these topic areas will make you an exemplary member of the workforce.

Working with electrical circuits is a vital skill that will become more important in the upcoming years. The Certificate III covers how to investigate and diagnose electrical issues, repair them and identify which tools are required. Once all repairs have been carried out, you will then learn to perform post-repair tests.

Every day, clients will present you with various system failures and it is your job to determine the issues. Therefore, this course will teach you to examine a variety of vehicles from cars to motorbikes and ensure that you are confident in your diagnostic skills.

You will learn to diagnose numerous systems including:

• Charging systems
• Ignition systems
• Hydraulic brakes
• Light vehicle engines
• Steering and suspension systems
• Cooling systems
• Drive shafts
• Clutch systems
• Manual transmissions
• Final drive assemblies

One of the most satisfying parts of being a motor mechanic is getting your hands dirty and repairing vehicle issues, whatever they may be. In learning to repair engine and vehicle components you will address how to act upon diagnostic test results. In addition, you will learn how to resource information for the repair, prepare the component, and carry out the repair.

Throughout the course you will learn to repair everything from charging to braking systems, from steering to emission controls and from manual transmissions to clutch systems.

Part of your role will be to service vehicles and components to ensure they are functional and roadworthy. For example, you will learn to service braking systems, engines, petrol fuel systems and cooling systems. Everything from preparation of work to documentation is covered to ensure that you can work through each service procedure.

Servicing work will exercise your problem-solving skills and ability to manage your work activities. It will also test your attention to detail as you work through every identified servicing process.

Most cars on the road today use a petrol engine. This may change in the coming years but for now it is crucial to have an excellent working knowledge of petrol fuel systems. You will learn to prepare for inspections, check for leaks, inspect air filters and report on your findings. You will also administer services based on your knowledge and workplace processes.

Braking systems are the most essential component of a vehicle (apart from its engine). After studying the cert III, you will be able to inspect components for suitability, assemble and fit components, test the system and carry out a final inspection. With this knowledge, every customer you work with can be sure that their vehicle is in good hands.

This doesn’t mean the ‘tyre kick’ that we see so often at car dealerships. During this unit, you will assess wheel balance according to manufacturer specifications and carry out adjustments. By the end of your work, any vehicle will be able to roll out of the garage smoothly.

And you won’t just be balancing the wheels of cars. You could find yourself working on agricultural machinery, heavy commercial vehicles, light vehicles, mobile plant machinery, motorbike or trailers.

Safety inspections will be a regular and crucial part of your job role as an auto mechanic. While studying Certificate III, you will learn to prepare for safety inspections, referring to all relevant safety materials and safe work practices. After repair and rigorous testing, you will be able to demonstrate and document that a vehicle is safe and roadworthy.

During workshop sessions, you will get the opportunity to work on different types of vehicles and engines. For instance, you could be dissecting a motorbike’s braking system one day and diagnosing a Toyota Corolla’s electrical components the next.

And if you choose to complete your course as part of an apprenticeship scheme, then you’ll be exposed to whatever drives into the garage. Every day is different for a motor mechanic, and we will make sure you’re ready for whatever comes your way.

Motor mechanics are highly skilled professionals with fantastic career prospects. But their education doesn’t end once they have gained their certificate. The best mechanics continually build upon their knowledge and pursue further education. Therefore, if you would like to advance your skills, specialise in a particular area, or work towards a promotion, CAC has a certificate IV and diploma courses to help you succeed.

The world of automotive technology is always growing and changing. Our courses work with industry professionals to stay relevant and in-line with new technologies and policies. If you would like to speak to us about the Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology, or any of our higher-level courses, you can contact us today.