Automotive Electrician Electrical & Electronic Trades Workers
SaveWhat Does an Automotive Electrician Do?
Automotive electricians install, maintain and repair electrical and electronic systems in motor vehicles such as air conditioning systems, lamps, radios, heating systems, batteries, electrical wiring and alternators. They use diagnostic testing equipment to inspect vehicles and find faults. To do repair work, they use hand tools and specialised electrical instruments and machines.
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Where Do I Start?
Electricity
Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become an Automotive Electrician
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialElectricity knowledge
Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.
Recommended Books
1 bookElectrician's Wiring Manual: A Handbook Of Practical Information On Electric Light, Power And Wireless Installations, In Accordance With The Nation -
EssentialMechanics Of Motor Vehicles knowledge
The way energy forces interact and affect components in motor vehicles such as cars, buses, invalid carriages and other motorised vehicles.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialVehicle Electrical Systems knowledge
Know vehicle electrical systems, including components such as the battery, starter, and alternator. The battery provides energy to the starter. The alternator provides the battery the energy it requires to …
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialAutomotive Diagnostic Equipment knowledge
The equipment used to examine automotive systems and components.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialCar Controls knowledge
The functioning of specific car equipment such as how to operate and handle the clutch, throttle, lighting, instrumentation, transmission and the brakes.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialElectrical Wiring Plans knowledge
Pictorial representation of an electrical circuit. It shows the components of the circuit as simplified shapes, and the power and signal connections between the devices. It gives information about the …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialElectronics knowledge
The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. Apply this knowledge to ensure electronic equipment runs smoothly.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialMechanics knowledge
Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialTypes Of Vehicles knowledge
Field of information which distinguishes rental agency classification systems, containing types and classes of vehicles and their functioning and components.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialApply Health And Safety Standards skill
Adhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFasten Components skill
Fasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Manual Work Autonomously skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Test Run skill
Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRead Standard Blueprints skill
Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTroubleshoot skill
Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Automotive Diagnostic Equipment skill
Use diagnostic equipment to perform test on motor vehicles, components and systems to detect defects.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Specialised Tools In Electric Repairs skill
Use of a variety of specialised tools, instruments and machines, such as presses, drills and grinders; employ them to carry out repairs in a safety manner.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Technical Documentation skill
Understand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWear Appropriate Protective Gear skill
Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCarry Out Improvised Vehicle Repairs skill
Identify mechanical/technical car problems; perform improvised or intermediate repairs on vehicles; take into account individual customer requests.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInspect For Faults In The Vehicle's Electric System skill
Search for flaws in a vehicle's electric system; understand manufacturer's circuit diagrams and specification manuals.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInstall Automotive Electrical Equipment skill
Place electrical circuits and wiring in vehicles such as lighting and voltage gauges. These distribute and regulate electrical power and supply it to meters and other devices in the car.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInstall Car Electronics skill
Place electrically operated accessories in vehicles such as batteries which power heating systems, radios and anti-theft systems.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Vehicle Diagnostic Procedures skill
Perform diagnostic procedures on vehicle systems; determine and perform all required repair and maintenance operations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRepair Vehicle's Electrical Equipment skill
Repair and replace electrical equipment inside vehicles, such as lighting and air conditioning systems.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 27 displayed)
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OptionalBattery Components knowledge
The physical components, such as wiring, electronics and voltaic cells that can be found in batteries. The components vary according to size and type of battery.
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalBattery Chemistry knowledge
The different battery types according to the representative chemical components used in the anode or the cathode such as zinc-carbon, nickel-metal hydride, lead-acid, or lithium-ion.
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalBattery Fluids knowledge
The characteristics and properties of battery fluids.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalApply Soldering Techniques skill
Apply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of soldering, such as soft soldering, silver soldering, induction soldering, resistance soldering, pipe soldering, mechanical and aluminium soldering.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalConduct Performance Tests skill
Conduct experimental, environmental and operational tests on models, prototypes or on the systems and equipment itself in order to test their strength and capabilities under normal and extreme conditions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCreate Technical Plans skill
Create detailed technical plans of machinery, equipment, tools and other products.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDiagnose Defective Engines skill
Diagnose engine damage or malfunctions by inspecting mechanical equipment; utilise instruments such as chassis charts, pressure gauges, and motor analysers.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDrive Vehicles skill
Be able to drive vehicles; have the approapriate type of driving license according to the type of motor vehicle used.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEnsure Customer Focus skill
Attitude that puts customers at the centre of the business in all cases.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalExecute Vehicle Maintenance skill
Execute vehicle maintenance based on supplier or manufacturer instructions. This might include cleaning vehicle engine, cleaning vehicle interior and exterior, maintaining mileage and fuel records, performing non-mechanical maintenance tasks. Service …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalIdentify Customer's Needs skill
Use appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInstall Transport Equipment Lighting skill
Install lighting elements in transport equipment according to blueprints and other technical plans.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalKeep Stock Records skill
Keep written records of the amount of stock in storage, incoming and outgoing products required for the proper operation of services, repairs and maintenance tasks.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Electrical Equipment skill
Test electrical equipment for malfunctions. Take safety measures, company guidelines, and legislation concerning electrical equipment into account. Clean, repair and replace parts and connections as required.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Soldering Equipment skill
Use soldering equipment, such as a soldering gun, a soldering torch or a gas-powered iron, to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalProvide Customer Follow-up Services skill
Register, follow-up, solve and respond to customer requests, complaints and after-sales services.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalTest Electronic Units skill
Test electronic units using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWrite Records For Repairs skill
Write records of the repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, of parts and materials used, and other repair facts.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalClean Vehicle Exterior skill
Wash, clean, polish and wax vehicle's exterior glass and chrome parts.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInstall Transport Equipment Batteries skill
Install batteries in transport equipmentby using hand and power tools. Make sure the battery fits the model of the transport equipment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Electrical Engines skill
Understanding of electrical circuits and being able to repair. Test and replace electrical components and wiring, using test meters, soldering equipment, and hand tools.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Vehicle Records skill
Maintain vehicle records by accurately recording service operations and repairs.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Battery Test Equipment skill
Operate equipment used for battery testing, such as a soldering iron, a battery tester, or a multimeter. Detect flaws affecting the battery's performance, test the battery's capacity for accumulating charge, …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform Road Testing skill
Perform road tests with vehicles; ensure that all functions are working safely and correctly; test vehicle in extreme weather and road conditions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPosition Vehicles For Maintenance And Repair skill
Place vehicles in the right position (such as on top of a pneumatic lift) for repair and maintenance tasks. Follow safety procedures.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRepair Battery Components skill
Repair battery components through replacing cells, repairing wiring, or spot-welding cells.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRepair Vehicle Electrical Systems skill
Use appropriate tools, machinery, and equipment to solve problems related to components of the electrical system of vehicles, such as the battery, alternator, or starter.
Course recommendations coming soon.