Automotive Assemblers & Inspectors

Description

Are you a puzzle enthusiast? Or do you prefer building intricate models, using detailed diagrams, glue and a whole lot of patience? Either way, you may find a vehicle assembly career a "good fit."

From bumper to bumper, a motor vehicle is composed of more than 15,000 parts and about 350 different materials. Subassemblies may contain thousands of parts. How it all stays intact and functions under varied driving conditions is the work of the assemblers and inspectors.

Motor vehicle assemblers put together and install prefabricated parts to build subassemblies and finished cars, vans, mini-vans, SUVs and light trucks. Inspectors and testers ensure that those brand-spanking-new vehicles "right off the assembly line" meet industry standards for quality and performance.

Specific duties

Motor vehicle assemblers may do some or all of the following tasks:

• Construct motor vehicle parts and components, using hand or power tools to bolt, rivet, screw, weld, solder and clip parts together.
  
• Set up, operate and/or adjust machinery and tools.
  
• Connect cables, tubes and wires to complete assemblies and installation.
  
• Position, install and fit parts and subassemblies, using hand and power tools and sometimes hoists or other lifting devices, for larger, heavier parts.
  
• Work as a team with co-workers (they could be robots!). Assemblers are usually familiar with many stages of the assembly line.
  

Motor vehicle inspectors and testers may have some or all of the following responsibilities:

• Check vehicle exterior paint coats, sealers and glazes, and mark necessary repairs.
  
• Test electrical assemblies, wiring and equipment using testing devices, such as meters, analyzers and timing lights.
  
• Inspect fully assembled vehicles for defects and to confirm that previously discovered defects have been fixed.
  
• Drive and test vehicles on a rolling testing machine to check transmission, axle, engine and brake performance.
  
• Record and report defects and repairs.
  

Related careers

You might be also be interested in these careers that have similar educational and/or training requirements, or that share similar duties.

• Automotive Service Technicians
• Mechanical Assemblers & Inspectors
• Painters & Coaters, Industrial

High school path

A CareerMATTERS consultant suggests these high school courses would be helpful. They are not pre-requisites to post secondary programs, nor are they necessary to obtain employment. You should consult with your school counsellor to make the best choices for your own career path.

Recommended Courses
Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
English
ENG1D English, Grade 9, Academic or ENG1P English, Grade 9, Applied	ENG2D English, Grade 10, Academic or ENG2P English, Grade 10, Applied	ENG3C English, Grade 11, College Preparation or ENG3E English, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation	ENG4C English, Grade 12, College Preparation or ENG4E English, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation
Math
MFM1P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 9, Applied or MPM1D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 9, Academic	MFM2P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 10, Applied or MPM2D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10, Academic	MBF3C Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 11, College Preparation or MEL3E Mathematics for Work and Everyday Life, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation	MAP4C Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 12, College Preparation or MCT4C Mathematics for College Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation or MEL4E Mathematics for Work and Everyday Life, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation
Science
SNC1D Science, Grade 9, Academic or SNC1P Science, Grade 9, Applied	SNC2D Science, Grade 10, Academic or SNC2P Science, Grade 10, Applied	SNC3E Science, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation or SNC3M Science, Grade 11, University/College Preparation	SNC4E Science, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation or SNC4M Science, Grade 12, University/College Preparation
Optional
TTI1O Integrated Technologies, Grade 9, Open	TCJ2O Construction Technology, Grade 10, Open or TDJ2O Technological Design, Grade 10, Open or TGJ2O Communications Technology, Grade 10, Open or TIK2O Computer and Information Science, Grade 10, Open or TMJ2O Manufacturing Technology, Grade 10, Open or TTJ2O Transportation Technology, Grade 10, Open	TCJ3C Construction Technology, Grade 11, College Preparation or TCJ3E Construction Technology, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation or TDJ3E Technological Design, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation or TDJ3M Technological Design, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or TGJ3E Communications Technology, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation or TGJ3M Communications Technology, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or TMJ3C Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Grade 11, College Preparation or TMJ3E Manufacturing Technology, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation or TTJ3C Transportation Technology, Grade 11, College Preparation or TTJ3E Transportation Technology, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation	TCJ4C Construction Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation or TCJ4E Construction Technology, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation or TDJ4E Technological Design, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation or TDJ4M Technological Design, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or TGJ4E Communications Technology, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation or TGJ4M Communications Technology, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or TMJ4C Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation or TMJ4E Manufacturing Technology, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation or TTJ4C Transportation Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation or TTJ4E Transportation Technology, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation

* a job shadowing/co-op experience is recommended

Post-secondary options

• Employers want educated workers with good communication skills to handle the technical and teamwork aspects of assembly-line work. It's important to be in good physical condition and have good eyesight, hand-eye co-ordination and manual dexterity.
  
  
• It may give you an advantage to take college or technical school courses related to mechanical engineering technology or machine operations.
  
  
• Almost all assemblers, inspectors and testers train on-the-job. Company programs are designed to familiarize employees with specific machines and the assembly-line stages. Eventually you will begin working the assembly line, usually teamed with an experienced worker.
  
  
• It's important that employers see your willingness to retrain. New vehicle models, parts, and assembly systems and procedures are introduced regularly.

There may be several different paths to a career. Post-secondary education or training programs will help, but they are not a guarantee. You should research your options carefully before deciding on any program of study. Click here for a comparison chart of institutions or accreditations.

The following programs offered at Ontario post-secondary institutions may be helpful in pursuing a career in this field. In addition to the institutions listed here, please refer to "For more information" (at left) for a list of organizations and associations that may also offer programs of study.

Institution	Programs offered
College
Canadore College	Manufacturing Techniques - Wood Products
Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning	Mechanical Engineering Technology - Automated Manufacturing
Durham College	Manufacturing Technology
Fanshawe College	Manufacturing Engineering Technology (Accelerated)
Fleming College	Mechanical Techniques - CNC/CAD/CAM Specialist
George Brown College	Manufacturing Engineering Technology - Semiconductor Mechanical Technician - Tool and Die
George Brown College - Casa Loma	Mechanical Technician - Tool and Die
Georgian College	Mechanical Engineering Technology - Automotive Manufacturing
Loyalist College	Manufacturing Engineering Technician
Mohawk College	Manufacturing Engineering Technician – Automation (Industrial Mechanic Millwright) Manufacturing Techniques Motive Power Fundamentals

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Career path

Wondering how you could prepare for a career in this field? Or what else you might do once you have some experience?

Assemblers can become inspectors and testers in their area, and all of them--assemblers, inspectors and testers--have opportunities for advancement to a supervisory role within their department. They can also consider transferring their skills to other manufacturing industries.

Employers

These are examples of the places, businesses and industries that employ people in this field:

motor vehicle manufacturers
motor vehicle parts manufacturers

Work environment

Motor vehicle and vehicle parts manufacturers operate factories that are very clean and bright. However, they may be stuffy and they're definitely noisy.

Assemblers, inspectors and testers repeat the same tasks over and over again. Assemblers may be lifting large, heavy components or sitting at a desk installing minuscule components in a subassembly.

Motor vehicle and parts makers usually keep production going around the clock, seven days a week. That means most assemblers, inspectors and testers work shifts. Overtime is possible, but there's always additional compensation for it.

Common job titles

Also Known As....

Assembly inspector
Auto assembly worker
Body assembler
Car assembler
Chassis inspector
Door fitter
Light truck assembler
Motor vehicle assembler
Test driver
Transmission installer
Van assembler

For more information

Links to associations, organizations, unions and other places that may be able to provide more information.

• Apprenticeship: Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
  Information about apprenticeship opportunities in Ontario including training info, contacts, etc.

• Automotive Industries Association of Canada
  "Scholarships and Careers" has information on scholarships and co-op placement.

• Canadian Automotive Repairs and Service (CARS)
  This site has loads of detailed information about careers in the automotive industry–everything from glazier to automotive journalist. The videos from people employed in the field are a nice snapshot of the job. Definitely worth checking out.

• Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association

• Ontario Job Futures
  Information on occupations common to Ontario. Includes job descriptions, employment outlook, salaries, etc. (Government of Ontario)