Soft Skills Employers Want
9-12
1
Career Spotlight: Automotive Service Technician
Lesson Details
Grade Level
9-12
Duration (minutes)
2
Summary
A grade 9-12 careers lesson exploring the automotive service technician and mechanic career, covering job duties, education paths, and real U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage and outlook data.
Student Worksheet: Career Spotlight: Automotive Service Technician
Teacher Note: Students can watch the video lesson above and answer the questions. Click the “Teacher Answer Key” dropdown below when you are ready to review the solutions!
Key Concepts:
• The Job: Automotive service technicians inspect, maintain, diagnose, and repair cars and light trucks.
• Diagnosing: Technicians use computerized equipment to find the cause of a problem before replacing parts.
• Education: Many enter through a certificate program, though some start with a high school diploma and on-the-job training.
• Pay & Outlook: Median annual pay was $49,670 in May 2024, with about 70,000 openings projected per year.
Instructions: Read each question carefully and write your answer in the space provided.
- Question 1: What are two main tasks automotive service technicians perform?
- Question 2: Why do technicians use computerized diagnostic equipment before replacing parts?
- Question 3: What was the median annual wage for automotive service technicians in May 2024?
- Question 4: Name one way someone can enter this career field.
- Question 5: About how many job openings are projected each year from 2024 to 2034?
Click to reveal Teacher Answer Key
1. Any two of: diagnosing problems, performing routine maintenance, repairing or replacing worn parts
2. It helps identify the actual cause of a problem, saving time and avoiding unnecessary repairs
3. $49,670
4. A certificate program at a community college or technical school, or a high school diploma plus on-the-job training
5. About 70,000 openings per year
Disclaimer: This worksheet was generated with AI assistance based on original video content. It is intended for educational reference only. Teachers are encouraged to review and adjust questions to fit their curriculum standards before classroom use.
🎯 Extension Activity: Have students research a local community college or technical school's automotive technology program and compare its length and requirements to what was described in the lesson.
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