Motor vehicle technician
Motor vehicle technicians service cars and motorbikes, find faults and repair them. More and more often they also work on electric and hybrid drives, and diagnosing faults on a computer is just as much part of the job as using a spanner.
Typical tasks
- servicing vehicles, for example checking and changing oil, brakes and tyres
- reading fault memories with diagnostic tools and finding the causes
- repairing engines, gearboxes, chassis and electrics
- preparing vehicles for their regular inspection
- explaining to customers what was repaired and what will be needed soon
Where people work
Motor vehicle technicians work in dealership workshops, independent garages, tyre and service centres, or in the workshops of companies with their own vehicle fleet.
A good fit if
- you are interested in cars, motorbikes and engines
- you like working with tools and do not mind getting your hands dirty
- you keep going even when a fault is hard to find
- you are open to new technology such as electric drives
Education pathways in Austria
In Austria the main path is a Lehre (apprenticeship) in motor vehicle technology: you learn in the workshop and at a vocational school. Alternatively, there are technical vocational schools, called BMS (secondary vocational school), that offer training with workshop practice. In Germany the equivalent is the Duale Ausbildung or a Berufsfachschule, in Switzerland the Berufslehre (EFZ) or a Fachmittelschule (FMS).
- Lehre
- Training in a company and at vocational school. With 'Lehre mit Matura' it can also lead to university entrance. 2 to 4 years
- BMS (berufsbildende mittlere Schule)
- Vocational school with a professional qualification, without Matura. 3 to 4 years
Matching schools in Austria
We do not keep a school list for these pathways. An apprenticeship (Lehre) takes place in a training company and at a vocational school.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the apprenticeship take?
Usually three and a half to four years, depending on the specialisation, for example cars, commercial vehicles or motorbikes.
Do I need a driving licence?
Not to start the apprenticeship. Later, though, a driving licence is very useful in everyday work.
Is there still a future for mechanics with electric cars?
Yes. Electric cars also need servicing, tyres, brakes and fault finding. On top of that comes knowledge of high-voltage technology, which you learn during training.
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