How to Become A Truck Mechanic?

If you have a knack for fixing things especially automobiles, then you can become a mechanic. Not only is the job of a truck mechanic easier than others but it is also decently remunerative. A lot of youth these days find it appealing to work on mechanical parts of a vehicle like a truck or a semi, then why not make it a profession?

The process of becoming a mechanic

To begin with, you will need to find work in an existing mechanic shop. If you do not have any prior knowledge about automobiles, then familiarizing yourself with different aspects of the vehicle is the first step. If you are someone who has not used many tools till now, then another goal for you will be to familiarize yourself with all the tools and hardware that is used in a mechanic shop.

For these two things, you do not need to find an actual job. If you hang around a shop and ask sincere questions with the permission of the owner, it will not be long before you know your way around the tools and different vehicles. The next step after gaining knowledge is to become a professional and for this, you would need two things.

• Apprenticeship – Think of this as an internship. The pay is not much but you are expected to be a novice who has just the right amount of skills to get into the industry. The apprenticeship will help you gain trade qualifications through rigorous on the job training.
• Licenses – You will also need specific licenses to become a successful mechanic who can maintain and repair trucks. Specifically, Certificate III in Automotive Diesel Engine Technology (AUR 31516) is required. This can be done through truck driving schools or other relevant training institutes.

You will need to invest a lot of time into it

Just like any other job, you will have to get educated in the field and grab enough expertise so as to become a certified mechanic. It would be 3-5 years before anyone would be willing to give you the keys to their truck or employ you in a service shop full time. But that goes with any other job in the market. Do note that if you wish to test your repairs by taking the vehicle for a spin, you will also need either an MR Licence or an HC Licence or both, depending on the type of vehicle you are driving.

Becoming a successful mechanic will require a lot of hard work and running repairs for years before you are recognized as a skilful operator. If you are aiming to become an expert, then the wait would be much longer. Having said that, it also depends on individual capacity on how quickly you can grasp the knowledge. If you are passionate about mechanical stuff and are not afraid of getting your hands dirty with muck and grease, then it would not be tough at all for you to become the best truck mechanic in your region.