Motor Vehicle Mechanic ESSENTIAL SKILLS Fact Sheet Essential skills are skills that help you to perform the tasks required by your trade and other activities of daily life. They provide the foundation for learning other skills, and make it easier for you to adapt to workplace change. Different trades can require different Essential Skills. The Fact Sheet lists the reading, writing, calculating, thinking and interacting skills that are used in a particular trade. Many of these are needed during your apprenticeship, especially during in-school technical training. The Fact Sheet describes the difficulty level for many of the skills. Look for a number beside the tasks. The levels range from 1 (easier) to 5 (harder). Levels of difficulty, where indicated, have been determined by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). If you want to see whether you have the necessary Essential Skills to do well in in-school technical training technical training, you can complete the Self-Assessment Checklist and the Essential Skills Exercises for a particular trade. Contact the Apprenticeship Branch at (204) 945-3337 or 1-877-978-7233 (Toll Free) for more information. Reading Text Skim and scan label or product information 2 Read maintenance schedules or catalogues 2 Read trade publications 2 Read technical bulletins, WHMIS and MSD sheets, data sheets, 2 microfiche, computer websites and databases Read company policies and procedures 2 Find information in service, maintenance, operating and other technical manuals 3-4 Read and interpret warranties 3-4 Read manufacturer s specifications and instructions 3-4 Read regulations and legislation (eg. gross vehicle weight, environmental regulations, propane licensing and requirements Read codes and standards documents 2
Use of Documents Understand symbols and legends 1 Read information in completed forms 1 Read and interpret work orders, log books and design instructions 2 Read tables, charts, flow charts and pump curves 2 Read measuring devices (eg. test equipment, gauges and meters, etc) 3 Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, ladder diagrams, assembly and 3-4 other mechanical drawings (wiring, hydraulic and vaccum, etc) Writing Write lists or notes (eg. log book entries) 1-2 Complete company record forms, maintenance checklists, 1-2 requisition forms and work orders Complete incident forms and warranty registrations 2 Make sketches, schematics and diagrams Write incident, service and other reports (possibly on a computer) 3 Math Perform basic mathematical operations (verifying bills, 2 calculating materials, costs and time) Calculate with decimals, fractions and percentages 2-3 Estimate time, materials and supplies as a job progresses 2-3 Measure precisely with tools and devices 2-3 Calculate necessary adjustments and acceptable tolerances 2-3 Measure from scale drawings Estimate size, weight, volume and dimensions (eg. for a lift) 3
Calculate size, weight, volume and dimensions 1-3 Perform conversions (eg. between metric and imperial and different specifications, etc) Compare and contrast test results with specifications, 2-3 recognizing unacceptable deviations Calculate loads and carrying capacities (eg. hoisting devices) Calculate using a variety of formulas (eg. Ohm s Law) Oral Communication Speaking with and listen to suppliers, customers and laypeople 1-2 Give and receive verbal instructions and supervision 2 (including teaching apprentices) Explain and listen to required processes or flow of activities 2 Give and understand hand signals Thinking HRSDC Levels of Difficulty Identify something according to a specific criteria or characteristic 1 Classify something according to specific criteria or characteristics 2 Remember, organize and retrieve significant information or details Select appropriate tool, equipment or process for a given situation Schedule job or work flow 3 Evaluate and verify test results Decide on appropriate course of action for a given situation Organize materials, time and people to complete a task Determine cause and effect (eg. effect of modifications on related components) 3 Make decisions for problem-solving and trouble-shooting (potentially in a 2-4 high-risk situation), combining a variety of complex factors 4
Computer Use Use computer-controlled diagnostic equipment Use computerized maintenance record keeping systems Input from data vibration analysis test equipment Use internet browsers Use word processors Use databases Use e-mail In order to do well in technical training, Motor Vehicle Mechanic apprentices should also be able to Study and Test-Taking Take notes during a class Read textbooks and learning materials Highlight important information in notes, books or other learning materials Ask questions of the instructor and other students Participate in small group discussions Get information from demonstrations Study for tests Write multiple-choice tests Manage time and assignments For Information contact these Apprenticeship offices or call Toll-free from Rural Manitoba 1-877-978-7233 Winnipeg 1010 401 York Avenue, R3C 0P8 204-945-3337 - Fax 204-948-2346 Brandon 102, 340 9th Street, R7A 6C2 204-726-6365 - Fax 204-726-6912 The Pas 305 4th Street West, R9A 1M4 Box 2550, 204-627-8290 - Fax 204-627-8137 Thompson 118 3 Station Road R8N 0N3 204-677-6346 - Fax 204-677-6689 5
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