What is the difference between a mechanic and a Master Technician (or a Master Mechanic)
The Master Technician
The Master Technician (and a master mechanic) is a highly advanced automotive vehicle technician who will be employed in an independent automotive repair workshop or in a dealership. A Master Technician (and a master mechanic) is a higher ranking employee than a mechanic. This seniority is due to their training being more advanced and at a higher level. The diagnostic and fault finding skills of the Master Tech are also at a much higher level. Other mechanics will usually refer vehicles and repair jobs that they cannot solve to the Master Tech.
Master Tech’s will achieve the title and qualification of after 5 years or more of practical experience and after they undergo a programme of technical training at level 4. The award is made after successful completion of an Accredited Assessment process.
The typical subject matter areas that a Master Tech will train on are detailed below:
Check out our Master Tech training programme at the following link: https://techtopics.co.uk/master-technician-training-program/
Diagnostic Techniques
which is fundamental to proving the root causes of a fault, to get a fix first time and to fixing more cars faster. Using the #4rights process (measuring the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, with the right tool), this module ensures that the Master Technicians diagnostic process is absolutely on point.
Advanced Electronics
are at the heart of the vast majority of automotive control systems, from Adaptive Cruise Control to Vehicle Networks. This highly engaging training course will take you through both key components and principles involved in managing and controlling a wide range of systems. Master Technicians get hands on with transistors, resistors, integrated circuits, mosfets, logic boards, single circuit control microprocessors, flashing and programming, coding, brushless DC motors, AC controllers, IGBT’s and a whole load more. All of these things will be directly relatable to the advanced diagnosis of automotive systems.
Advanced Diagnostics
the oscilloscope is at the heart of the Master Technicians diagnostic tool set. The oscilloscope diagnostics will enable rapid and accurate diagnosis of the system under investigation, be that a Flexray Network or a Microwave Distance Sensor. This course will make the difference between diagnosing faults and not! This highly practical course will take the Master Tech through our unique approach to fault finding a wide range of systems, such as Diesel & Petrol Engine Management, Ignitions, vehicle networks and a vast array of other vehicle components. We will build your skills, knowledge and experience to an advanced user level.
Advanced PEMS and DEMS
enable the Master Tech to keep up with the car parc, which is skewing towards petrol as a dominant fuel system, along with hybridisation (electric motors and petrol engines). Diesel fuel systems are focused on reducing NOx, particles and other noxious emissions with AdBlue, High and Low Pressure EGR. Therefore, being able to effectively diagnose a wide range of engine management faults is a critical skill for a technician. Faults can be engine mechanical (timing and quality) fuelling (too much or too little or at the wrong time), ignition or emission controls (Cat, DPF, AdBlue, EGR) or any one of a number of sensors.
Personal and Business Plans
are key to achieving the Master Tech’s goals, both from a business operations as well as a continuing personal development perspective. This module is very highly rated by our participants, as it really helps to shape short term tactical planning to improve personal effectiveness and improved operational efficiency with the attainment of longer term and wider personal and business strategic goals.
Vehicle networking & body systems
include communication technologies such as single wire LIN, sensors with SENT protocol, CAN Bus, FlexRay, and MOST. With the advent of Car Servers and Body Domain Controllers test, measurement and diagnosis takes a very different route. The ’60 ohms’ test for network testing is very outdated and can lead to misdiagnosis. The modern Master Tech has to have an in-depth understanding of these technologies and how they are critical to the function of the modern joined-up motor vehicle and the various control systems.
Customer Service, Communication & Coaching
Effective communication is an amazing skill that can deliver benefits in your personal and professional life. Relating to customers, be that technically when they are describing a fault for the first time, or when they are coming to collect a vehicle post repair, is a key element of the Master Technicians job role. And, it is often said that that fixing the customer is a bigger part of successful business than fixing the vehicle. Becoming an highly effective communicator will change the Master Techs world for the better. It will help them in their role and in their relationships with fellow team members, in coaching others and in excelling in delivering highly effective customer service.
OEM Diagnostics, Coding Programming & PassThru (J2534)
With the continual advance of vehicle technology, ‘dealer level’ diagnostics is fast becoming a necessity in the modern workshop. Coding, programming, known faults, configuration, wiring diagrams and component locations are critical success factors. This course looks into several dealer tools, their compatriot dealer portals as well as the options that Pass Thru present. Whether you’re using dealer tools already or you’re starting on your journey of discovering the immense benefits dealer tools (and their information portals) can bring a garage repair business, this module will deliver invaluable information regarding the successful implementation of dealer diagnostics in the garage business that you work in.
ADAS & Autonomous Technology
The self-driving vehicle is threatening to be upon us, but however long fully autonomous vehicles take to arrive, the plethora of self-driving technology is ever growing. The systems required to facilitate self-driving are fitted to many vehicles now, and they require a subtly different approach to service, diagnosis and repair. Understanding these systems in isolation and then being informed and equipped to deal with them as a joined-up, autonomous vehicle is the aim of this course. ADAS, Side Assistance, Lane Assist, Brake By Wire, Steer By Wire, V2V, V2x and much more besides are covered on this session.
Electric Vehicle Diagnostics and Repair Level 4
This Electric Vehicle course goes much, much deeper than Level 3 and examines diagnosis and repair, including working on live systems. Subjects covered include: Motor/Generator, IGBT, PWM, Faults affecting, milliohm and megger testing, resolvers, DC-to-DC conversion, LV and HV systems interrelationships, Scan Tool & Scope Diagnostic Techniques, Connecting to the ‘grid’, charge systems function & operation, HV battery function, operation, diagnosis & repair. Our EV Level 4 Advanced course will take existing L3 qualification holders to the pinnacle of EV qualifications & understanding, resulting in a Level 4 qualification and a greatly expanded understanding of EV technology. A 3 day, hands-on course with in course assessments.
Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems
The management of heating and cooling is one of the most rapidly advancing areas of vehicle technology, which means the knowledge and understanding of it has become critical to avoid costly mistakes and misdiagnosis. Intelligent thermal management, reversible systems with heat pumps, electrically driven compressors, split controlled heating systems and other such measures are now employed to manage power units, occupants, emissions as well as high voltage battery and charging systems. Knowing the systems design function and operation, understanding the test and measurement steps as well as service and maintenance routines are all covered in this module.
Accredited Technical Assessments
We’ll have worked throughout the entire programme to develop your skills, knowledge and understanding. There are six assessment tasks, 5 practical and an online ‘quiz’. You will have been highly coached and fully prepared to tackle the tasks. Tasks include customer liaison, technical diagnosis x 3, apprentice coaching and the quiz. Due to the comprehensive nature of our courses and preparation, we have a very (read very, very) high first time pass rate. Upon successful completion of this session you will join the very exclusive Master Technician ‘club’, and all of the hard work and effort will have been worth it.
They also have to sign up to and comply with a set of Motor Industry Professional Standards. Follow the link to check these standards here for https://tide.theimi.org.uk/membership/professional-standards
The Master Technician Programme is aimed at senior technicians who would like a defined, structured route of education, training with the top level accredited qualification outcome. The training programme is suited to technicians operating in the motor industry at a minimum of level 3 with at least 5 years post qualification experience.
Technical Topics can help technicians achieve Master Technician status through a programme of learning and assessments. We are the UK’s leading provider of Master Technician Certified Training and Accreditations. Our unique programme offers technicians a development route to becoming a highly qualified, top-tier technician.
If you would like to take the next step on your career ladder, come an join us on our Master Technician training programme.
Sign up at the following link https://techtopics.co.uk/product/master-technician-training-plan-sign-up/
