Heavy vehicle automotive technicians tend to try harder to salvage as many parts as possible this being because the parts for the larger vehicles are a lot more expensive than that of the smaller vehicles. This meaning that the specialist auto mechanics tend to endure more training to be able to fix the parts rather than just replace them. Once fully trained you then decide whether you want to specialise in a certain type of vehicle such as buses, HGV's, Lorries or whether you want to be a floating technician that repairs a selection of vehicles.

The training process usually starts with your GCSE results where employers will look for standard education 4 GCSEs including maths, English and a science at grade C or above or an equivalent standard of qualifications. You can either then become an apprentice for a garage dealing with the kind of vehicles with which you have an interest, where they will provide you with practical training running along side your academic study. Practical training counts for a lot in the auto motive industry as it's a very practical based job but the academic training, usually consisting of a NVQ level 3, you have to complete is just as important and usually runs for around 3 and a half to 4 years, depending on what level you want to reach. If not becoming an apprentice you can finish all your academic training first then go into working in a garage (at a higher level than a basic new starter) or even start up your own business specialising in the heavy duty motor vehicles, however, you will have to make sure you have covered all the basic requirements before opening a garage. When this initial training is completed there are many more short courses that can be taken to train you in areas such as diagnostic training and specialist courses in the maintaining of different types of vehicle. As well as these courses if you are working for any garage it may well be they send you on short courses to boost your training in the safety procedures of the garage environment, as that is a big issue especially with the lager vehicles.

The job entails a great variation of tasks including general maintenance on large, heavy duty vehicles, repairing or in some cases replacing broken or damaged parts and providing a full service on the vehicles. If you want to be able to carry out MOTs on the vehicles you have to take a further course that specialises in training you in that area. To take this course you must have the following:

• Four years previous experience of working with the vehicles you wish to service.
• The correct qualifications, up to a level 3 NVQ.
• Be over 21.
• Have a full clean license for the vehicles you are wanting to service.
• You must also have the support of your garage or employer.

If you don't have one of the above specifications then you won't be able to progress to take the course in heavy duty vehicle servicing.

With the heavy duty automotive technician position you need to have a genuine interest in the area as the training alone can take several years to be completed. Although once finished if you do enjoy the work it can be a very rewarding job as well as a life time career, with different training schemes helping you progress through the different levels within the industry.