As an automotive electrician, you must be able to adapt your skills to a wide variety of vehicles and electrical systems. It takes curiosity and imagination to identify what’s causing the problem when equipment breaks down. You’ll also need to collaborate with others to get the job done.

In rail, automotive electricians work on a huge variety of vehicles and systems. They operate special vehicles that can run on both road and rails to do their work. These vehicles have hydraulic cranes, boom lifts, loaders, welders, grinders, precision measurement tools, and more. Automotive electricians service heavy transport vehicles, excavation equipment, tunnel boring machines, trains, carriages, and freight wagons. They usually work from a workshop or depot with access to all the necessary diagnostic tools and maintenance equipment. From here they complete scheduled maintenance tasks, install new equipment, or conduct major repairs. They may be called to attend road and trackside breakdowns where they must work quickly to get vehicles back into service.

As an apprentice, you’ll learn your trade from experienced trainers and senior automotive electricians. You’ll spend time in classrooms, workshops, and trackside as you complete your training and start your career. Once qualified, you’ll be part of a team that maintains and fixes rail vehicles. This includes trains, carriages and wagons, as well as maintenance and construction vehicles. You’ll work within the rail corridor alongside trains and in maintenance workshops.

Automotive electricians need a Certificate III – Automotive Electrical Technology. If you don’t have experience or qualifications, there are many apprenticeship opportunities which provide you with all the training you’ll need. You’ll complete a vocational training course and receive a certificate level qualification while you work. Typically, you’ll progress from an entry level position (apprentice) to more senior roles such as a team leader or specialist.