Auto Technician Jobs: AFV Technician

by AJ Fanter
ajfanter@careerschoolguide.com
Career School Guide Columnist

Do you have a passion for the environment as well as for cars? Then you’ll be pleased to know there’s a great paying, challenging job waiting for you in the automotive industry as an AFV (alternative fuel vehicle) technician.

As an alternative fuels vehicle technician, your job will play an important role in the effort to preserve our environment. In addition, you’ll be helping to reduce our dependence on foreign oil while doing something you already enjoy, working with cars. And the best part is, there’s already plenty of AFV auto technician jobs available!

Auto Technician Jobs on the Rise, AFV Jobs too!

Based on recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, automotive technician jobs are expected to increase between 9 and 17% between now and 2014. In addition, the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) notes that there are already hundreds of thousands of cars on the road today that are using alternative fuels which is driving a growing demand for qualified auto technicians to work on them. Those looking for a career offering strong, long-term job prospects should welcome this news.

Before Becoming an Automotive Technician

Before heading out and securing an automotive technician job, you’ll need to obtain the right kind of training and experience. While all would-be automotive technicians need to have mechanical ability and strong problem-solving skills, in addition to learning how alternative fuel vehicles work, you must also know how to work on standard fuel vehicles.

Where & How to Get an Auto Technician Job

According to NATEF, many high school students choose to get their automotive technician training while they’re working at their first jobs. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics points out that formal training is really the best way to prepare for the fast-paced career.

If the idea of cars getting cars running on energy-efficient alternative power is appealing to you, then it could be time to go back to school and become an AFV technician.

Sources:

AFV Technician, National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Automotive Service Technicians, and Mechanics

About the Author

AJ Fanter is a freelance writer based in Reno, NV.