Career Highways: Administration Jobs

Fleet Maintenance

Without trucks, the business, like the economy stops. Maintaining trucks, truck-tractors, and trailers in peak condition is a critical part of any road transportation business. Revenue is only generated when goods are moved, and the goods can't move when the required equipment is in ill repair. Moreover, safe and properly functioning equipment is a legal requirement.

Training and Education

The people who have this important responsibility are skilled technicians who have combined their training and education through participation in an apprenticeship program. Other jobs also require training, though perhaps not as formal or comprehensive as the technicians.

Truck and Coach Technician

Keeping equipment or "rolling stock" safe and properly functioning is an important responsibility. The safety of workers, the public and the company's bottom line depends on it. Certified truck and coach technicians repair and maintain all commercial trucks and truck-tractors. Legally speaking only trained and qualified truck and coach technicians can inspect, test, diagnose and repair truck and truck-tractor engines and other key operating systems such as power trains, transmissions, braking systems and fuel and electrical systems. More and more, certified technicians are relying on technology to help diagnose and trouble-shoot. A truck and Coach Technician Certificate of Qualification is a solid foundation on which to build a successful career. Many technicians become shop floor supervisors and maintenance managers or directors.

Training and Education

Training is available through apprenticeship, as governed by the Apprenticeship and Certification Act. This means that the majority of learning takes place on the job with a qualified employer. In addition, apprenticeship programs include classroom instruction on theory, which is usually given at a local community college. For more information on apprenticeship, click on http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/training/apprenticeship/whatisappren.html.

Truck and Trailer Service Technician

Like the truck and coach technician, the truck and trailer service technician is responsible for keeping the fleet operational. However, the focus for these skilled workers is on trailers. Truck and Trailer Service Technicians repair, overhaul, inspect and maintain suspension, brake, and electrical systems. They are also qualified to work on "reefers", or the refrigerated systems on trailers that are used to keep goods cold while in transit.

Service Personnel/Mechanic's Helper

While many of the jobs on the shop floor require formal education and training, there are those that offer on-the-job training and offer a starting point for other career paths in the industry. There are always small jobs to do that help keep the fleet maintenance function continue to run smoothly. Service Personnel/Mechanic's Helpers are critical in that regard. They assist with moving vehicles in and out of the shop, as well as washing them and keeping the shop work area clean and functional. They check vehicles to ensure that they are maintained with the appropriate equipment and accessories ranging from load securement and protection devices to safety equipment like fire extinguishers and spare tires. They also assist the parts department by picking up critical parts or components when needed. In some cases, the mechanic's helper can do small repairs that are not otherwise regulated, like changing malfunctioning light bulbs on trailers.

Training and Education

Training is not required. However, this position can be used as a stepping stone to other skilled work, such as a skilled technician or a professional driver.

Wheel Installer/Tire Technician

Keeping truck, truck-tractor and trailer wheels safe and functional is an important responsibility. Tire technicians are responsible for ensuring that trucks, truck-tractors and trailers are equipped with safe and properly functioning tires at all times. No small task given that a typical tractor-trailer unit has at least 18 tires!Given the number of tires on each unit or combination of units, tires can become a costly component of a company's maintenance program. Tire technicians track tire performance and utilization - often using detailed computer software.Wheel installers typically have experience as tire technicians before becoming eligible to install wheels. In Ontario, anyone who installs wheels on commercial vehicles must be certified to do so.

Training and Education

Tire technicians often learn their trade through on-the-job experience. In Ontario, both certified truck and coach technicians as well as certified truck and trailer service technicians are permitted to install wheels on trucks, truck-tractors and trailers. However, those who are not certified technicians must first gain experience as a tire technician, take an approved course and then write an exam before being eligible to install wheels on commercial vehicles.

Parts Supply and Control

The maintenance of commercial vehicles requires an accessible inventory of parts, accessories and other supplies as well as skilled labour. Companies cannot afford to have a vehicle down while service technicians are waiting for critical parts to arrive. Balancing an inventory that does not require a heavy investment of capital requires skill and experience. People who work in the parts supply and control function often learn their trade through on-the-job experience.

Shop Floor Supervisor

In many work places, there are many skilled technicians and other workers needed to keep the maintenance function running smoothly and efficiently. Shop floor supervisors are responsible for preparing work schedules, prioritizing jobs, and allocating work to the appropriate personnel. They also work with the parts supply and control function to ensure that the appropriate parts and supplies are on hand for upcoming jobs. Typically, technicians, mechanics and other shop personnel report to the shop floor supervisor.

Training and Education

Generally speaking, shop floor supervisors are trained and certified truck and coach technicians, since many of the decisions that they have to make rely on technical knowledge and skills. Though not mandatory, courses focusing on effective business communication and/or supervision are helpful.

Maintenance Manager

Typically, the maintenance manager is a skilled technician with a solid working knowledge of commercial vehicle repair and maintenance and the overall corporate operation. However, today's maintenance manager relies on other skills as well. Maintenance managers are often responsible for developing and implementing preventative maintenance programs which help to ensure that trucks, truck-tractors and trailers do not need to be taken out of service at inopportune times. The maintenance manager is also responsible for submitting and adhering to annual budgets, managing the parts control function and budget, as well as managing shop floor personnel. In addition, maintenance managers will have a say in the decisions surrounding the purchase of new equipment, and the sale of existing equipment.

Training and Education:

In addition to holding a Certificate of Qualification as a Truck and Coach Technician, maintenance managers will benefit from additional management development courses or programs.

Auto Body Repairer

In addition to regular maintenance, the trucking industry occasionally requires the technical expertise of individuals who are trained and skilled in repairing vehicle bodies. Auto Body Repairers replace and repair damaged fenders, hoods, bumper, doors, glass and other exterior parts. In addition, they straighten bent frames and remove dents, sand and paint vehicle bodies. They also repair and replace seat frame assemblies, upholstery, floor coverings and other interior finishings.

Training and Education:

Training is available through apprenticeship, as governed by the Apprenticeship and Certification Act. This means that the majority of learning takes place on the job with a qualified employer. In addition, apprenticeship programs include classroom instruction on theory, which is usually given at a local community college. For more information on apprenticeship, click on http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/training/apprenticeship/whatisappren.html.

Welder

Essentially, a welder is a skilled tradesperson who joins two or more pieces of metal to make them act as one piece. In the trucking industry, welders are often required on the shop floor to ensure that the "rolling stock" - particularly the trailers, are maintained in a safe operating condition. Trailers bear the brunt of the operations. They can travel great distances with heavy loads. As a result, they occasionally require the expertise of a welder who can ensure that the frames and other key components are up the type of jobs that they are required for.In addition, the skills of a welder are critical for fabricating, modifying or re-constructing trailers and other load-carrying structures, such as boxes on straight trucks.

Training and Education: