Automotive Service Technician - Apprenticeship

This course provides students with an introduction to shop safety including the use of hand tools, power tools, and hoists, and other lift equipment. Additionally, course content focuses on bearings, seals and sealants, precision measuring tools, oxy-acetylene welding and cutting, and the use of computers for accessing trade-related information.

Course content focuses on engine fundamentals and the operating characteristics of the internal combustion engine and students are introduced to engine disassembly and reassembly and related manufacturing standards. Cylinder block assembly and applications are covered with students performing inspection and testing procedures. Additionally, crankshaft assemblies are discussed in relation to engine performance.

This course introduces the student to electrical, electronic, electromagnetic, and fuel system fundamentals. Course content focuses on diagnostic test equipment, the operation, inspection and testing of batteries, wiring schematics, and component identification, and circuit repair and protection devices. Intake and exhaust, emission control, and hybrid systems are discussed.

Clutch assemblies and basic gear theory are introduced in this course. The fundamentals and operation of manual transmissions and transaxles and their inspection, testing, service and repair are covered.

This first course of three on suspension, steering, and brakes provides students with an introduction to suspension assemblies and their components, manual steering and linkage assemblies, and base brake system components and operation. Additionally, students are provided with the fundamentals of tire and wheel repair and servicing according to manufacturers’ recommendations. Air brake adjustment and air brake chamber safety are also covered.

The fundamentals of heating and ventilation systems and the related components, operation, and inspection and testing are covered in this course. Air conditioning principles are also introduced including system types and their operation and service procedures. Repairer rights and responsibilities are covered in detail include provincial statutes and regulations.

This second in a series of three engine systems courses focuses on camshaft and valve train assemblies and their operation, inspection and testing, and related service performance. Engine cylinder heads and their applications and components are discussed and students perform related inspection and measuring procedures. Service and reconditioning procedures are also covered. Course content also focuses on the operation and recommended service procedures for turbochargers and superchargers.

Course content builds on the student’s knowledge of electrical circuit calculations to support the use of diagnostic test equipment. Cranking systems and cranking motor circuits are covered including the disassembly and reassembly of cranking motors and the inspection and testing of circuits. Electronic ignition fundamentals are introduced as are charging systems and control circuits and fuel injection emission control systems.

This course includes inspecting, diagnosing, troubleshooting and repairing front wheel drive axle assemblies, rear wheel drivelines, final drive assemblies and torque converters. Automatic transmissions and transaxles and their operation, components, inspection, testing, and repair are also covered.

In this course, students identify and describe the fundamentals of suspension systems and the purpose and operation of manual and power steering systems. Steering and suspension testing according to manufacturers’ recommendations is performed. Alignment fundamentals are covered including related measurements and the operation of vehicle alignment equipment. Additionally, hydraulic brake servicing procedures on disc and drum brake assemblies are discussed and students complete related performance tasks.

This course provides students with the operating principles that support the inspection, testing, and diagnosing of climate control systems according to manufacturers’ standards. Students are also introduced to body and trim components and their construction, inspection, and repair.

This course focuses on the construction and operating principles of engine cooling systems, accessory drive belts and pulleys, and lubrication systems. Engine component failure and the resulting analysis and diagnosis are covered. Recommended replacement and start-up procedures of an overhauled engine assembly according to manufacturers’ recommendations and generally accepted trade practices are covered.

This course covers the operating principles and function of vehicle onboard computer systems including data retrieval and use of appropriate test equipment. The operation, construction, inspection, and testing of supplemental restraint/airbag systems are introduced. Content also focuses on distributor-less ignition systems, computer-controlled charging systems, and power accessories. Gasoline fuel injection systems, diesel electronic injection systems, and emission systems including their inspection and testing are discussed. Students are also exposed to the principles of operation and diagnosis of fuel, electrical drive, and regenerative braking systems associated with hybrid vehicles.

In this course, students perform visual inspection and diagnosis and repair of automatic / transaxle pumps and hydraulic systems. Preliminary inspection and diagnosis of automatic and transaxle electronic controls is also covered. Additionally, students visually inspect, diagnose and repair 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive systems according to manufacturers’ recommendations. The fundamentals of alternate drivelines and hybrid drivelines are also covered.

This course content focuses on the construction and operation of power assisted brakes, anti-lock brakes, electronic braking systems, tire pressure monitoring systems, and electronic suspension systems. Pre-alignment inspection and vehicle alignment diagnostics to identify and explain vehicle handling problems are discussed. Students inspect, test and diagnose these systems in accordance with manufacturers’ procedures.