National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.1

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7 - Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

These occupations include trades supervisors and contractors, construction and mechanical tradespersons, operators of transportation and heavy equipment and trades helpers. These occupations are found in a wide range of industrial sectors, with many in the construction and transportation industries.

This category includes most of the apprenticeable trades, including all those related to the construction industry. Other occupations in this category usually require completion of college or vocational education programs combined with on-the-job training. Helpers obtain training on the job site. Progression to supervisory positions or self-employed contractor status is possible with experience. There is limited mobility or transferability of skills among occupations in this category due to specific apprenticeship, training and licensing requirements for most occupations.

73 - Maintenance and equipment operation trades

This major group comprises occupations in maintenance and equipment operation trades, which usually require more than two years of apprenticeship or on-the-job training in the trade. It includes contractors and supervisors, maintenance trades and heavy equipment and transport operators; machinery and transportation equipment mechanics (except motor vehicles); automotive service technicians; other mechanics and related repairers; train crew operations occupations; crane operators, drillers and blasters; and printing press operators and other trades and related occupations, not elsewhere classified.

732 - Automotive service technicians

This minor group includes automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, mechanical repairers and motor vehicle body repairers. They are employed by motor vehicle dealers, garages, truck and trailer dealerships and fleet maintenance companies; service stations, automotive specialty shops, transportation companies and retail establishments which have automotive service shops; automobile dealerships, body repair shops and appraisal centres; and motor vehicle manufacturers.

7321 - Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers

Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers inspect, diagnose, repair and service mechanical, electrical and electronic systems and components of cars, buses, and light and commercial transport trucks. They are employed by motor vehicle dealers, garages, truck and trailer dealerships, fleet maintenance companies, and service stations, automotive specialty shops, transportation companies and retail establishments which have automotive service shops. This unit group also includes mechanical repairers who perform major repairs and replacement of mechanical units on newly assembled motor vehicles. They are employed by motor vehicle manufacturing companies.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • apprentice motor vehicle mechanic
    • automobile mechanic
    • automotive service technician
    • brake systems mechanic
    • bus mechanic
    • mechanical upgrader - motor vehicle manufacturing
    • motor repairer - motor vehicle manufacturing
    • transmission mechanic
    • truck and transport mechanic
    • truck-trailer repairer
    • tune-up specialist - motor vehicle

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Heavy-duty equipment mechanics (See 7312 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics)
    • Motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors and testers (See 9522 Motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors and testers)
    • Motor vehicle body repairers (See 7322 Motor vehicle body repairers)
    • Recreation vehicle service technicians (See 7384 Other trades and related occupations, n.e.c.)
    • Supervisors of motor vehicle mechanics (See 7301 Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades)
    • Supervisors, motor vehicle assembling (See 9221 Supervisors, motor vehicle assembling)
    • Transport truck and trailer assemblers (See 9526 Mechanical assemblers and inspectors)
  • Main duties

    Automotive service technicians perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Review work orders and discuss work with supervisor
    • Inspect motor in operation, road test motor vehicle, and test automotive systems and components using computerized diagnostic and other testing devices to diagnose and isolate faults
    • Adjust, repair or replace parts and components of automotive systems including fuel system, brakes, steering and suspension, engine and drive train, emission control and exhaust, cooling and climate control, and electrical and electronic systems using hand tools and other specialized automotive repair equipment
    • Test and adjust repaired systems to manufacturer's performance specifications
    • Perform scheduled maintenance service, such as oil changes, lubrications and tune ups
    • Advise customers on work performed, general vehicle condition and future repair requirements.

    Mechanical repairers, motor vehicle manufacturing, perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Inspect and test mechanical units, such as engines, transmissions, axles and brake systems, to locate faults and malfunctions
    • Diagnose faults or malfunctions and confirm findings with supervisor to determine whether to repair or replace unit
    • Repair or replace mechanical units or components using hand and power tools
    • Test and adjust units to specifications for proper performance
    • Complete reports to record problems and work performed.

    Truck and transport and truck-trailer mechanics perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Adjust, repair or replace parts and components of commercial transport truck systems including chassis, frame, cab, body, engine and drive train, air brakes, steering, and fuel, hydraulic, electrical and electronic systems
    • Adjust, repair or replace parts and components of truck-trailer systems including structural, brake and electrical systems.

    Workers in this unit group may specialize in the following areas: engine and fuel systems, transmission systems, air conditioning, cooling and heating systems, steering, alignment, brakes, drive lines, suspension, electrical and electronic systems, truck-trailer repair or diagnostic services.

  • Employment requirements

    Automotive service technicians

    • Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program is usually required.
    • Completion of a four-year automotive service technician apprenticeship program
      or
      A combination of over four years of work experience and industry courses in automotive technology is required to be eligible for trade certification.
    • Trade certification for automotive service technicians is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
    • Automotive service technician (transmission) trade certification is compulsory in Ontario.
    • Automotive service technician (steering, suspension and brakes) trade certification is compulsory in New Brunswick and Ontario.
    • Automotive service technician (service station mechanic) trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia and available, but voluntary, in Prince Edward Island.
    • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified automotive service technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

    Mechanical repairers, motor vehicle manufacturing

    • Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program is usually required.
    • On-the-job training of two to three years is provided by employers.

    Truck and transport and truck-trailer mechanics

    • Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program is usually required.
    • Completion of a four-year truck and transport mechanic or truck-trailer repair apprenticeship
      or
      A combination of over four years of work experience and industry courses in truck or heavy duty equipment mechanics is required to be eligible for trade certification.
    • Trade certification for truck and transport mechanics is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and the Yukon.
    • Transport trailer technician trade certification is compulsory in Ontario and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia and the Yukon.
    • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified truck-trailer repairers and truck and transport mechanics upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
  • Additional information

    • With additional training, mobility is possible between automobile and truck and transport mechanics.
    • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
    • With experience, mechanics and technicians in this unit group may progress to supervisory positions.
    • Mechanical repairers employed in motor vehicle manufacturing may progress to motor vehicle mechanic positions through an apprenticeship program, or with experience, they may progress to supervisory positions in motor vehicle manufacturing.
7322 - Motor vehicle body repairers

Motor vehicle body repairers repair and restore damaged motor vehicle body parts and interior finishing; repaint body surfaces; and repair and/or replace automotive glass. They are employed by automobile dealerships, automobile body repair shops and automobile appraisal centres. This unit group also includes metal repairers who repair defective automobile body parts and damage to the bodies of newly assembled cars. They are employed by motor vehicle manufacturers.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • autobody repairer
    • automotive body mechanic
    • automotive glass technician
    • automotive painter - motor vehicle repair
    • automotive painter apprentice
    • metal finisher - motor vehicle manufacturing
    • metal repairer - motor vehicle manufacturing
    • motor vehicle body repairer apprentice
    • motor vehicle body technician - truck
    • painter - motor vehicle repair

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers (See 7321 Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers)
    • Painters - motor vehicle manufacturing (See 9536 Industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators)
    • Supervisors of motor vehicle body repairers and automotive painters (See 7301 Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades)
    • Supervisors, motor vehicle assembling (See 9221 Supervisors, motor vehicle assembling)
  • Main duties

    Workers in this unit group perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Review damage report and estimates of repair cost and plan work to be performed
    • Repair and replace front end components, body components, doors and frame and underbody components
    • Hammer out dents, buckles and other defects using blocks and hammers
    • Operate soldering equipment or use plastic filler to fill holes, dents and seams
    • Remove damaged fenders, panels and grills using wrenches and cutting torch and bolt or weld replacement parts into place
    • Straighten bent frames using frame and underbody pulling and anchoring equipment
    • File, grind and sand repaired body surfaces using hand and power tools
    • Mask and tape auto body surfaces in preparation for painting
    • Mix paint, blend and match colors
    • Apply primers and repaint surfaces using brush or spray guns
    • Repair and replace glass components such as windshields, windows and sunroofs
    • Repair or replace interior components, such as seat frame assembly, carpets and floorboard insulation
    • Inspect repaired vehicles and test drive vehicles for proper handling.
  • Employment requirements

    Motor vehicle body repairers

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Completion of a three- to four-year motor vehicle body repair apprenticeship program
      or
      A combination of over three years of work experience in the motor vehicle body repair trade and completion of a high school or college automotive body repair program is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
    • Trade certification for motor vehicle body repairer (metal and paint) is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
    • Auto body repairer certification is compulsory in Ontario and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
    • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified motor vehicle body repairers (metal and paint) upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

    Automotive painters

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Completion of a two- to three-year automotive painter apprenticeship program
      or
      A combination of one year of work experience in the automotive painter trade and completion of a high school or college automotive painting program is usually required for automotive painter trade certification.
    • Automotive painter certification is compulsory in Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
    • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified automotive painters upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

    Automotive glass installers and repairers

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Auto glass industry certification is usually required.
    • Apprenticeship training and trade certification for automotive glass technicians is available, but voluntary, in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.

    Metal repairers, motor vehicle manufacturing

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • One to two years of on-the-job training are provided.
  • Additional information

    • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
    • With experience, motor vehicle body repair and automotive painter tradespersons may progress to supervisory positions.
    • Metal repairers employed in motor vehicle manufacturing may progress to motor vehicle repairer positions through an apprenticeship program, or, with experience, they may progress to supervisory positions in motor vehicle manufacturing.
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