Why study SfW Automotive Skills?
The automotive sector influences our daily lives, for as example as commuters travelling to work, using public transport, heavy goods vehicles delivering goods to customers or the emergency services responding to need. The automotive sector in Scotland employs some 40,000 people, around 2% of the Scottish workforce. The industry offers many careers including vehicle sales and hire, customer service and parts sales and vehicle repair and maintenance.
This course will help you develop the practical skills, knowledge and understanding of employability skills needed within the automotive industry as well as introducing you to the wide range of jobs within it.
Automotive Skills offers good opportunities if you enjoy:
- examining and fixing things
- problem-solving
- working with your hands
- using tools and machinery.
Career Pathways
To see what career areas this subject could lead to and the routes to get there, download and view these career pathways:
Garage Services
What do I need to get in?
Entry is at the discretion of the school or college.
What will I study?
The course is made up of four compulsory units, each one taking 40 hours of study.
- Automotive Skills: The Garage (6 SCQF credit points)
- Automotive Skills: The Technician (6 SCQF credit points)
- Automotive Skills: The Car (6 SCQF credit points)
- Automotive Skills: The Vehicle Modification Project. (6 SCQF credit points)
You will learn about
- basic safety checks, wheel changing and valeting
- Health and Safety procedures
- tools and techniques used by technicians in the industry
- renewal and replacement of vehicle components
- understanding how components work
- developing core skills in working with others.
Where will I take the course?
- You will usually train at a local college. Training sessions will take place for a set number of hours and weeks during term time.
- You will have to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on this course, for example: safety glasses, protective footwear (boots or shoes with steel toe caps), gloves and overalls.
Work experience/placements
- You may be able to arrange a related work experience placement by speaking to your pastoral care or guidance teacher in school.
- You may be able to visit individual companies or hear about the industry from visiting speakers.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment will be based on a range of practical activities in real or simulated workplace settings. Tutors will observe and keep records of your work. Some assessment may be done online using an e-portfolio system.
What can I go on to next?
You may be able to progress to:
Employment /Training
- A Modern Apprenticeship leading to an SVQ at SCQF Levels 5 or 6 in automotive subjects such as: Vehicle Accident Repair, Vehicle Fitting, Vehicle Maintenance and Repair and Vehicle Parts.
Further/Higher Education
- A one year full time NC or NQ in automotive engineering or motor vehicle engineering at a local college of further education.
Further study, training or employment in:
Which jobs are related to this subject?
