Automotive

Course Description

The St Patrick’s Technical College Automotive program prepares students for a career in the automotive servicing industry as an apprentice light or heavy vehicle mechanic.

Get the skills to identify, inspect and perform basic repairs to the mechanical and electrical components of light and heavy vehicles, outdoor power equipment, bicycles, marine craft and motorcycles. This entry-level qualification is designed to help you build a foundation of basic knowledge to help you prepare for a career in the automotive industry.

The program also provides an introduction to other automotive industry trades including:

  • paint and panel;
  • auto-electrical;
  • parts interpretation;
  • outdoor power equipment; and
  • small motors.

Course Structure

StPatsTech-Machine-AutoAll students at St Patrick’s Technical College study a nationally-accredited technical / vocational qualification while completing the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).

Industry Focused SACE
> Essential English
> Essential Mathematics
> Scientific Studies
> Research Project

Work Ready Skills
> First Aid Training
> Industry Connections
> Integrated Learning
> Work Experience
> Workplace Practices

Vocational Training
> Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology (AUR20520)

Our fully integrated courses mean you don’t sacrifice your high school education while undertaking vocational training, either through one of our certificate courses or through our School-based Apprenticeship program.

All subjects at St Patrick’s Technical College are specifically written with reference to your technical training while the vocational qualification is industry relevant and provides pathways into apprenticeships and traineeships.

 

Curriculum Information

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Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology (AUR20520)

This course is designed to improve your chances of becoming registered as an apprentice by an employer and progressing towards becoming a fully qualified tradesperson in the mechanical trades.

It covers the skills and knowledge in the servicing operations of brakes, steering, suspension, engines, transmissions, batteries and wheel balancing.

MTA (RTO Code 2293) and TAFE SA (RTO Code 41026) are responsible for the quality of accredited training and assessment provided and for the issuing of all qualifications and statements of attainment for this course.

See below for full list of competencies associated with this AQF qualification.

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Integrated Learning

Students apply their knowledge and skills to a real-world task, event, learning opportunity, or context, which leads to a specific purpose, product, or outcome. The subject draws links between aspects of students’ lives and their learning. Students develop and demonstrate their collaboration, teamwork, and self-awareness, and evaluate their learning.

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Essential English

Our literacy program prepares students to communicate effectively within the workplace. This subject provides students with skills required to enhance their oral and written skills. Students learn techniques to improve their employment opportunities, their ability to work in a team and their effectiveness to communicate with customers and clients. Areas such as the planning and writing of job applications, procedures when writing curriculum vitae and the appropriate use of email and other electronic communications are also studied in this course.

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Essential Mathematics

Our numeracy program enables students to develop the mathematical skills necessary to ensure their success and is both practical and theoretical in nature. Students study units of measurement, measuring devices, length, perimeter, area and volume. These units also include components in costing, quoting and scale drawing. These units are fundamental to the success of all students completing a trade and give students a clear understanding of the relevance between mathematics and their chosen career pathway.

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Research Project

In the Research Project, students have the opportunity to study an area of interest in depth. They use their creativity and initiative, while developing the research and presentation skills they will need in further study or work.

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Scientific Studies

Students develop their knowledge of scientific principles and concepts, the ability to use that knowledge to identify questions, issues, opportunities and challenges, and the capacity to acquire new knowledge through their own investigations. They develop the skills and abilities to explain scientific phenomena, and to draw evidence-based conclusions from the investigation of science-related issues. In this way, students develop scientific knowledge and skills to support them in their future career pathways, including those that are science-related, and everyday life in a world shaped by science and technology.

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Industry Connections

Industry Connections develops students’ skills, knowledge and understandings of interested trade areas while developing their capabilities and employability skills through an industry-related project.

Industry Connections is flexibly designed to enable opportunities for students to collate a work skills portfolio that may support future career and transitions opportunities.

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Work Experience

Work Experience (WEX) is a compulsory part of the St Patrick’s Technical College Work Ready Skills program. It provides the opportunity for students to explore and experience an area of interest or their trade choice. Students learn, grow and develop skills for the workplace, gain valuable feedback from an employer about their general employability skills such as attitude, work ethic, initiative, WHS, punctuality, problem solving abilities, communication and teamwork skills.

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Workplace Practices

Students develop knowledge, skills, and understanding of the nature, type and structure of the workplace. They learn about the value of unpaid work to society, future trends in the world of work, workers’ rights and responsibilities and career planning.

Pre-Vocational Competencies

AUR20520 Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology
Code Unit Title
AURAEA002 Follow environmental and sustainability best practice in an automotive workplace
AURAFA103 Communicate effectively in an automotive workplace
AURASA102 Follow safe working practices in an automotive workplace
AURATA001 Identify basic automotive faults using troubleshooting processes
AURETR115 Inspect, test and service batteries
AURLTJ102 [T] Remove, inspect, repair and refit light vehicle tyres & tubes
AURLTJ113 [T] Remove, inspect and refit light vehicle wheels and tyre assemblies
AURSCA101 Select and supply automotive parts and products
AURTTA104 Carry out servicing operations
AURTTB101 Inspect and service braking systems
AURTTC001 Inspect and service cooling systems
AURTTD002 Inspect and service steering systems
AURTTD004 Inspect and service suspension systems
AURTTE104 Inspect and service engines
AURTTF101 [T] Inspect and service petrol fuel systems
AURTTJ011 Balance wheels and tyres
AURTTK001 [M] Use and maintain measuring equipment in an automotive workplace
AURTTK102 Use and maintain tools and equipment in an automotive workplace
AURTTQ001 Inspect and service final drive assemblies
AURTTQ103 Inspect and service drive shafts
AURTTX002 Inspect and service manual transmissions
AURTTX003 [M] Inspect and service automatic transmissions
AURTTX015 [M] Inspect and service clutch systems
  [M] – MTA offering only  [T] = TAFE SA offering only

Work Experience

StPatsTech is focused on helping you move into the workforce. Our Work Ready Skills program gives you the edge when it comes to applying for a job.

Embedded in all the subjects that make up the Work Ready Skills program you’ll discover the key skills that employers are looking for and how you can develop them:

  • People skills
  • Reliability
  • Literacy and numeracy
  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Positive attitude and work ethic
  • Critical thinking
  • Creativity
  • Digital literacy
  • Problem solving

To help you develop these skills and introduce you to potential employers, the College conducts an extensive Work Experience program. Year 10 & Year 11 students have seven compulsory WEX blocks scheduled during term time, and Year 12 students have six compulsory WEX blocks scheduled during term time.

Apprenticeship

As part of your program at St Patrick’s Technical College, we’ll support you to move into an apprenticeship as soon as you’re ready.

Automotive-Course-CaricatureSt Patrick’s Technical College is the School-based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBAT) specialist.

SBAT is a mix of academic, vocational education, training and employment.

Through your SBAT at St Patrick’s Technical College, employment skills and real-world experience are an integral part of your school program.

Our apprenticeship program is the only one of its kind in South Australia. We allow you and your employer maximum flexibility so you both get the most out of your SBAT.

Career Pathways

The automotive retail, service and repair industry is involved in the upkeep of every component of motor vehicles, from bodies and interiors to the mechanical and electrical systems.

Career opportunities in the industry include:

  • Automotive airconditioning fitter
  • Automotive electrician
  • Automotive parts interpreter
  • Bicycle technician
  • Brake mechanic
  • Engine reconditioner
  • Exhaust fitter and repairer
  • Heavy vehicle motor mechanic
  • Light engine mechanic
  • Light vehicle motor mechanic
  • Panel beater
  • Radiator repairer
  • Tyre fitter and repairer
  • Vehicle body builder
  • Vehicle dismantler
  • Vehicle painter
  • Vehicle serviceperson
  • Vehicle trimmer
  • Windscreen fitter.