INSTITUTIONS OFFERING AUTOMOTIVE MECHANICS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM
WHAT IS AUTOMOTIVE MECHANICS AND WHO IS AN AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC?
Automotive mechanics, also called auto mechanics, is the occupation of repairing and maintaining automobiles or simply cars. An automotive mechanic is a person who repairs and maintains cars. He/she may be specialised in a specific area like brakes or suspension or in a specific make of cars such as Mercedes. Their main job is to find out the problem of the car accurately and in the shortest period of time, thereafter, they repair whatever is damaged.
WHERE DO AUTOMOTIVE MECHANICS WORK?
Auto mechanics work in garages that may be government or private owned. The government owned garages are usually attached to a particular ministry such as the ministry of health to service and repair that ministries cars. In the private owned garages, the general public take their cars for servicing and repair.
WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?
At work, vehicle maintenance and servicing are important parts of the job. Maintenance is what is regularly done on the car so that it stays in good condition and it is scheduled e.g. changing of oil. Servicing is done when there is need for something specific to be fixed that is normally not fixed or changed during maintenance.
The tasks include installation and repair of air-conditioners and their parts such as compressors. Brake systems, engine and fuel management, ignition and emission or exhaust systems are also worked on by the auto mechanics. Wheels alignment and balancing are also part of the job of the auto mechanic.
Apart from servicing, maintenance and repair, the mechanics also perform preventive maintenance where they do replacement of car parts before the parts get damaged. This also involves making a list of parts to buy and the price.
WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF AN AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC?
The work schedule of an auto mechanic is dependent on where he/she works. Work is done in shifts in many work places because car repairs and maintenance may also be done in the night. Therefore, the mechanic may work during the day or during the night.
WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?
Cars are an important part of human life because transportation is needed for many social and economic activities. Therefore, auto mechanics are needed in many companies and institutions. They are employed in places with many vehicles such as distribution companies like DHL or the post office, production companies such as Trade Kings, the mining industry, electricity production companies, city councils, the list goes on. Wherever vehicles are used, auto mechanics will be required.
They also work in the transportation companies such as power tools where they do the maintenance and repair of the buses.
WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?
For an auto mechanic, the work is often manual meaning someone who wants to pursue this career needs to like or be comfortable with hands on work. It helps to have a good background in mathematics, physics and technical drawing for it to be easy and enjoyable.
INSTITUTIONS OFFERING AUTOMOTIVE MECHANICS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM
WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?
During the study of automotive mechanics there are many courses that are taken. Depending on the school they courses may contain fundamentals of combustion engines, fuel injection systems and carburetors, transmission systems and clutches, manual and automatic gearboxes, vehicle diagnostics and fault-finding, suspension and steering, vehicle electronics and ignition systems, turning and performance and chassis and body work. Other courses can include communication skills, workshop practice and workshop management.
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
The entry requirements to auto mechanics at diploma and craft level are five ‘O’ level credits including Mathematics, English, Science and any other two subjects. The minimum entry requirements at Trade-test level are a grade 9 certificate.
WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?
Advancements in automotive mechanics include certification in specific areas of repair. These areas can include braking systems, suspension and steering and engine repairs among others. The main reasons for getting this certification is so that someone can be more specialised at handling one specific area so that they are more competent and called upon more.
INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY
NORTHERN TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Programme duration: 3 years 3 months (diploma) / 2 years 8 months (Adv. Certificate) / 1 year 6 months (Certificate)
Mode of study: Full-Time and Distance Learning
Admitting school: Faculty of Heavy Equipment Repairs
Intakes: January, May and September for Full-Time / April and August for Distance Learning
Location: Ndola
Contacts
Tel: +260 212 671699/ +260 977 555467/ +260 977 321447
E-mail: principal@nortec.edu.zm
Website: www.nortec.edu.zm
INDUSTRIAL TRAINING CENTRE
Programme duration: 2 years (Craft Certificate) / 3 years (Diploma)
Mode of study: Full-Time, Part-time and Distance Learning
Admitting school: Department of Automotive Engineering
Intakes: January and July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 211 244177 / +260 967 906830 / +260 977 686181
E-mail: info@itczambia.co.zm
Website: www.itczambia.co.zm
LUANSHYA TECHNICAL AND BUSINESS COLLEGE
Programme duration: 2 years (Craft Certificate)
Mode of study: Full-Time and Distance Learning
Intakes: January, May and September
Location: Luanshya
Contacts
Tel: +260 966 814941
E-mail: info@ltbc.edu.zm
Website: www.ltbc.edu.zm
KABWE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Programme duration: 2 years (Craft Certificate) / 2 years 8 months (Adv. Certificate) / 3 years (diploma)
Mode of study: Full-Time
Admitting school: Mechanical Department
Intakes: January
Location: Kabwe
Contacts
Tel: +260 977 143641/ +260 977 520038
E-mail: kabweit@gmail.com
Website: www.kit.edu.zm/index.php/downloads/fees
LIVINGSTONE INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS AND ENGINEERING STUDIES
Programme duration: 3 months (Trade-test level III) / 1 year (Trade-test level I) / 2 years (Craft Certificate)
Mode of study: Full-Time
Intakes: January
Location: Livingstone
Contacts
Tel: +260 960 949041/ +260 977 576286
E-mail: libeszambia@gmail.com
Website: www.libescollege.edu.zm
KITWE VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE
Programme duration: 2 years (Craft Certificate)
Mode of study: Full-Time
Intakes: January, May and September
Location: Kitwe
Contacts
Tel: +260 212 261509/ +260 954 478315
E-mail: kvtcmb@yahoo.com
Website: Kitwe Vocational Training Centre
LUSAKA BUSINESS AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Programme duration: 1 year (Trade-test) / 2 years (Craft Certificate) / 2 years 8 months (Adv. Certificate) / 3 years 3 months (Diploma)
Mode of study: Full-Time
Admitting school: Department of Engineering
Intakes: January, May and September
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 971 528420/ +260 953 260223
E-mail: marketing@lbtc.ac.zm
Website: www.lbtc.ac.zm
SOLWEZI TRADES TRAINING INSTITUTE
Programme duration: 2 years (Craft Certificate)
Mode of study: Full-Time
Intakes: January, May and September
Location: Solwezi
Contacts
Tel: +260 979 595647 / +260 968 506773 / +260 968 781983
Facebook: Solwezi Trades Training Institute Info Corner
UKWIMI TRADES TRAINING INSTITUTE
Programme duration: 2 years (Craft Certificate)
Mode of study: Full-Time
Intakes: January
Location: Petauke
Contacts
Tel: +260 216 371337/ +260 216 371437
E-mail: ukwimitrades@gmail.com
Facebook: Ukwimi Trades Training Institute
LUSAKA VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE
Programme duration: 1 year (Trade-test) / 2 years (Craft Certificate) / 2 years 8 months (Adv. Certificate)
Mode of study: Full-Time and Part-Time
Intakes: January, May and September
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 211 242270
E-mail: admissions.office@lvtc.edu.zm
Website: www.lvtc.edu.zm
NKUMBI INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE
Programme duration: 1 year (Trade-test) / 2 years (Craft Certificate)
Mode of study: Full-Time and Distance Learning
Intakes: January and April
Location: Kapiri Mposhi
Contacts
Tel: +260 979 329699 / +260 977 105829
E-mail: nkumbi@ymail.com
Facebook: Nkumbi International College
LUKASHYA TRADES TRAINING INSTITUTE
Programme duration: 1 year (Trade-test) / 2 years (Craft Certificate)
Mode of study: Full-Time
Intakes: January
Location: Kasama
Contacts
Tel: +260 214 221106 / +260 977 506990 / +260 962 403799
MUMBWA YOUTH RESOURCE CENTRE
Programme duration: 1 year (Trade-test)
Mode of study: Full-Time
Intakes: January and September
Location: Mumbwa
Contacts
Tel: +260 979 887138 / +260 974 874252
Facebook: Mumbwa Youth Resource Centre