TRADES PATHWAY PROGRAMS

Automotive Service Technician Preparation

NOC-7321

Programs open for applications are listed on the right hand side of this page as an “Apply Now” button. To find out if this program will be offered near you in the future, please contact your local JobConnections Centre.

Program Description

Are you interested in repairing vehicles? If so, SIIT’s Automotive Service Technician Preparation program may be the first step to a rewarding career.

The Automotive Service Technician Preparation program is delivered at trade shops in Regina, Prince Albert, and Saskatoon, and in various community locations. The program includes classroom and hands on training, life skills training, career planning, and safety tickets. Students can also complete a work practicum and can earn 360 hours of trade time credit toward apprenticeship.

Graduates of this program can expect to find entry level work as automotive service technicians (NOC 7321) and can find employment with motor vehicle dealers, garages, truck and trailer dealerships, fleet maintenance companies, service stations, automotive specialty shops, transportation companies, retail establishments with automotive service shops – or they may be self-employed.

Acceptance Policy

Strong preference is given to applicants who are Status First Nations, but SIIT programs are open to anyone.

English Language Benchmark

SIIT is not currently legislated to accept International Students. You must be a Canadian/ Permanent Resident to apply.

To be admitted into this program you must be able to understand and communicate in English (Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment of six – CLB6).

Courses

• ASTP 100 Orientation and Safety
• ASTP 110 Essential Skills
• ASTP 120 Trades Math
• ASTP 130 Materials and Tools
• ASTP 140 Suspension & Steering Systems
• ASTP 150 Braking Systems
• ASTP 160 Electrical Systems
• ASTP 170 Basic Maintenance
• ASTP 180 Job Readiness
• ASTP 190 Work Placement (1 week)

Tuition, Fees, and Funding

Students can expect to pay little to no tuition or fees to participate in this program. Career Centre staff will assess your eligibility for funding when you apply.

What to Expect

Day to Day

Delivery Method

In this 12 week program, students can expect:

• 12 weeks of in-class theory (50%) and hands on practical training (50%). Class is held Monday to Friday, 6 hours per day.
• No additional independent (homework) learning.

Personal Protective Equipment needed for shop training and employment is provided by SIIT.

Any work-related safety tickets will be included. These vary according to each trade.

Work Integrated Learning

One week work placements are available for Automotive Service Technician Preparation students. Students must adhere to attendance and academic performance standards to participate.

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance is essential for academic success. Each program has specific attendance requirements that must be adhered to in order to graduate. For Automotive Service Technician Preparation students, an attendance rate of 90% or better is required to graduate.

If you have been approved for funding, you must maintain the attendance required by your sponsoring agency to remain eligible to receive payment.

Graduation Requirements and Credential

You must maintain an attendance of 90% to graduate. The assessment method for this course is pass/ fail and students are required to pass all courses. Graduates will receive an Automotive Service Technician Preparation Applied Certificate. Graduates of this program are also eligible to receive 360 hours of trade time credit toward an Automotive Service Technician apprenticeship.

Career Path

Career Opportunities & Salaries

Graduates of this program can expect to find entry level employment as automotive service technicians (NOC 7321). 

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.

In Saskatchewan, automotive service technicians are in high demand, and the average annual salary is $64,100 (https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/hire-train-and-manage-employees/labour-market-information).

For assistance finding employment, please contact your local SIIT Career Centre.

Apprenticeship Opportunities and Licensing Requirements

To graduate from each level of an apprenticeship program, an apprentice must successfully complete the required technical training and compile enough on-the-job experience to total at least 1800 hours each year. Total trade time required is 7200 hours and at least 4 years in the trade.

Upon completion of their apprenticeship and required industry experience, apprentices may write the Interprovincial Journeyperson Examination and obtain a Red Seal.

For additional information on the apprenticeship process for Automotive Service Technicians in Saskatchewan, click here.

Support for apprentices is available through SIIT’s Joint Training Committee (JTC). (link to page). The SIIT Joint Training Committee (JTC) has been building careers in skilled trades since 1998! The JTC supports qualified Indigenous individuals to enter the trades as apprentices, complete trade levels, and become Journeypersons. Indenture Fees are paid by the JTC. Services are available province wide.