Vehicle mechanic

Professions Updated 24.10.2023

Vehicle mechanics repair cars, vans, and lorries, as well as carry out scheduled maintenance on them. The work requires versatile technical competence, manual skills, and customer service skills.

Vehicle and transport companies, car repair shops, and the automotive industry.

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Vehicle mechanics must be familiar with car technology. The car must be perceived as a whole of various technical systems, including electronics and information technology. Good manual skills are needed in the work.

Those working in the automotive industry are required to have logical thinking and problem-solving skills. Interaction and cooperation skills are needed in customer service and teamwork. The work requires initiative and the ability to prioritise work tasks.

Language proficiency, especially in English, is necessary for interpreting the instructions. Vehicles and their repair methods are developing rapidly, which requires the readiness to continuously learn new things.

Occasionally, mechanics may have to work leaning forward or with their hands raised, which puts a strain on the neck and shoulders. Allergies may make it more difficult to work in the profession.

automotive diagnostic equipment
mechanics
mechanics of motor vehicles

Source: ESCO 1.2.0 (esco.ec.europa.eu)⁠

Upper secondary vocational institutions offer Vocational Qualification in Motor Vehicles Sector specialising in automotive technology. The qualification title is vehicle mechanic. The vocational qualification can also be completed through an apprenticeship. After gaining professional experience, a Further Qualification in the Motor Vehicles Sector (in the competence area of tyre services, damage repair, repair services, or supervisory work) or a Specialist Qualification in the Motor Vehicles Sector (in the competence area of damage repair, repair services, or supervisory work in the vehicle sector) can also be completed.

Continuous further training is also required in car maintenance and repair work, as cars are constantly evolving and their equipment level is becoming more versatile. Autoalan pätevöitymisohjelmat (APO, Automotive Qualification Programmes) are professional further training programmes, in which a person working in the automotive sector qualifies in their own profession or can progress to more demanding positions in their careers, all the way to management positions.

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