What qualifications and career plans are required for electric vehicle maintenance | The Future of Auto Mechanics in the EV Shift

Toward a shift from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles

Japan is currently experiencing a pervasive shortage of auto mechanics due to the country’s declining birthrate and aging population. Against this backdrop, the shift to electric vehicles and electrification is expected to demand more advanced skills and knowledge from mechanics, accelerating the shortage of mechanics in the future.
Against this backdrop, the Japanese government has begun to strengthen its support system by introducing subsidies for the purchase of scan tools for automobile maintenance and a support subsidy system for human resource development.
Companies are also responding to the shift to electric vehicles. Nissan, for example, is focusing on training future auto mechanics and has established a course specializing in EV maintenance at the Nissan Automobile College, which provides education for auto mechanics.
Many companies have also begun to take measures to secure excellent mechanics, such as improving the working environment and salaries.

Reference: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, “Subsidies for Human Resources Development Support (Specific Training Course, General Training Course, Course for Granting Educational Training Leave, Special Training Course)

Main differences between electric vehicles and internal combustion engine vehicles

An electric vehicle is a car that runs solely on electricity stored in a battery. In contrast, an internal combustion engine vehicle (engine vehicle) runs on fuel such as gasoline or diesel oil. Although the difference is simple – electric or fuel – the motors and engines that produce the driving power are completely different.
In an electric vehicle, parts such as the transmission, intake and exhaust pipes, fuel tank, and oil pump, which are engine-related transmissions, are unnecessary. Specifically, the main components are those listed below.

• Battery (to store electricity)
• On-board charger (in-car charger: converts household AC power to DC power)
• Motor (converts electric power into motive power)
• Inverter (controls and sends electricity from the battery to the motor)
• Drivetrain (power transmission system that transmits electrical rotational power to the wheels while changing the direction of rotation)

The difference in this mechanism can be seen in the difference in the number of parts: about 30,000 parts for internal combustion engine vehicles and about 20,000 parts for electric vehicles.

Reference: TATA CAPITAL, “Electric Engine Vs Combustion Engine: What Are The Differences Between The Two?”

Qualifications required for maintenance of electric vehicles

Electric vehicles use a completely different mechanism than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. However, for maintenance, there is no “must-have” qualification in addition to the auto mechanic qualification.
However, maintenance of electric vehicles requires knowledge of the electrical system. Therefore, the government has mandated that “special training on low-voltage electricity handling operations” be conducted as “special training for maintenance of electric vehicles and other vehicles.

Reference: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Labour Standards and Safety and Health Department, “To Car Maintenance Businesses, Car Cargo Handling and Transport Machinery and Car Construction Machinery Maintenance Businesses”.

What is “Special Education for Low-Voltage Electricity Handling Operations”?

Special training for low voltage electricity handling operations is a training system established under Article 59 of the Industrial Safety and Health Law to prevent industrial accidents due to electric shock in the maintenance of electric vehicles. Workers who perform maintenance on electric vehicles (autos with built-in low-voltage storage batteries with ground voltage exceeding 50V) are required to take this special training.

Course Content

The curriculum for special training on low-voltage electricity handling operations consists of six hours of classroom training and one hour of practical training.

Institutions where courses are available

Special training for low-voltage electricity handling operations is basically required to be provided by the operator, but it is also possible to take a course offered by a training institute or incorporated association.
The following is a list of some institutions where you can take courses.

Kanto Electrical Safety Association “Safety and Health Special Training Course for Low-Voltage Electricity Handlers: Classroom + 1 hour of practical training”
■ Safety and Health Management Association “Special Training for Low-Voltage ElectricityHandling Operations”
■ Kobelco Training Institute “Special Train ing for Electric Vehicle Maintenance Operations, etc.” ■ Ko belco Training Institute “Special Training for Electric Vehicle Ma intenance Operations, etc.”

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■ Japan Automobile Service Promotion Association
“Textbook for Special Education on Low-Voltage Electricity Handling Operations and Maintenance Operations for Electric Vehicles” (Japanese only)

Subjects Exempted from Courses

A subject exemption system is available for special training on low-voltage electricity handling operations. Those who are eligible for this exemption may omit the “Basic Knowledge of Low Voltage Electricity (1 hour classroom lecture)” from the subject matter of the departmental training.
Persons who are eligible for exemption from the subjects are those who have already passed the following C.C.E. and are recognized as having basic knowledge of the hazards of low voltage electricity based on their history of participation in education or training necessary for their work.

1-Car Chassis Mechanics 8-Car Chassis Repair
2-Car Light Duty Mechanics 9-Car Gasoline Engine Repair 9-Car Gasoline Engine Repair 3-Car Multi-Wheel Car Mechanics 10-Car Diesel Engine Repair
4-Second Class Gasoline Car Mechanics 11-Second Class Multi-Wheel Car Mechanics
5-Second Class Diesel Car Mechanics 12-Car Electric Equipment Repair
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Career options for experienced mechanics

Auto mechanics are specialists with in-depth knowledge of automobiles. With their experience and knowledge as mechanics, they can work in a variety of jobs outside the field, in the automotive, manufacturing, and insurance industries.
Here is a guide to jobs where you can put your mechanic experience to good use.

1.Development engineers and test engineers at manufacturers

You can use your experience as an auto mechanic to take on the challenge of becoming adevelopment engineer or atest engineer.
In the vehicle development departments of manufacturers, there are development and design jobs that make use of mechanic licenses and knowledge of vehicle structures. There is also the job of a test engineer, who actually examines vehicles and investigates the causes of problems when they occur. Both of these jobs allow you to make use of your knowledge of the vehicle itself.

2.Technical help desk and service engineers at manufacturers

Technical help desk andservice engineers are also jobs where you can use your experience and skills as an auto mechanic.
They visit customers to diagnose difficult problems that cannot be resolved at maintenance shops or other facilities, and when there are updates to vehicles or products, they represent the manufacturer and hold explanatory events.

3.Warranty

Some jobs in the automotive industry are related to warranties, and many people change their careers to take advantage of their experience as auto mechanics.
Warranties are automobile warranties that cover the cost of repairs and parts when an automobile breaks down. Warranty (Warranty) work involves monitoring and optimizing the claims when replacement claim requests are received due to accidents or defects, to ensure that compensation claims are within the policy limits set forth in the regulations, and that claim requests are correctly stated. In checking the consistency of claims with the contents of the automobile warranty, the company is able to make use of its expertise in vehicle-related matters.

What is Warranty/Warranty Work?

Technical adjuster for property/casualty insurance company

Another career path for auto mechanics is as a technical adjuster.
Technical adjusters respond to vehicle accidents, investigate the damage, and calculate repairs. This job requires specialized knowledge and special skills in investigating vehicles involved in accidents, so it is a job where the experience as an auto mechanic can be put to good use.

For those who want to improve their English while making use of their mechanic’s license.

For the Japanese automotive industry, the development of automated driving technology and batteries can no longer proceed without collaboration and partnership with foreign companies. Given this trend of globalization, English proficiency is likely to be a key factor in keeping up with the changing times.
Here, we suggest ways for those who wish to improve their English skills while utilizing their mechanic’s license to advance their careers.

Overseas Challenges

One idea is to take the plunge and try living abroad.
The Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV), dispatched by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA ), live with local people in developing countries and contribute to national development and human resource development in developing countries. There are a variety of positions available, including automobile mechanics.

Another option is to use a working holiday.
Although there are restrictions on countries and age groups that can use the working holiday system, anyone who meets certain conditions can obtain a visa to work locally. However, the purpose of a working holiday is different for those whose goal is to work abroad as a mechanic, since a working holiday allows you to work as a source of funds for living in the country.
This method is recommended for those who want to experience local life while working, and broaden their insight while improving their English skills.

Reference: JICA “JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers > Car Maintenance

Try a foreign company

Foreign-affiliated manufacturers also have job openings such as technical helpdesk, service engineer, test engineer, and warranty (guaranty) as listed above. Some positions do not require a high level of English proficiency, so it is possible to acquire English skills through practical experience such as technical training in English after joining the company.
However, there is a strong tendency for foreign-capitalized companies to seek immediate employment opportunities. Therefore, a minimum basic level of English is required. It is important to show that although your English level is basic at the time of the interview, you will continue to make efforts to improve your English skills through independent study.

How to find a job

If you are looking to challenge yourself in other occupations based on your career as an auto mechanic, we recommend using a recruitment agent to help you with your job search.
Many agents have the knowledge to help you with your job search and can be a strong ally in your search.
Turnpoint ConsultingTurnpoint Consulting offers a wide range of jobs at Japanese and foreign manufacturers, including those listed above, as well as jobs for people who want to improve their English. Our unparalleled knowledge of the automotive and mobility industry allows us to provide the best possible support to our candidates, guiding them to their ideal career change.

Finally.

With major shifts occurring in the automotive industry, there is a growing demand for auto mechanics both domestically and internationally. In addition, there are many career change opportunities available for those who wish to utilize their experience and skills as auto mechanics.
You should not limit yourself to Japanese companies, but broaden your career horizons to include Japanese companies that are expanding overseas, foreign companies with branches in Japan, and foreign companies overseas.

Supervision: Turnpoint Consulting Media Team (Contact: Shintaro Kondo)
We are a media team that provides useful information about changing jobs related to the automotive and mobility industry. For those who are thinking about changing jobs, we will provide information about the job market in the automotive and mobility industry and how to prepare for the selection process, and for corporate recruiters, we will provide information about the flow of human resources in this industry. Our goal is to help you by providing information about changing jobs and recruitment in the automotive and mobility industry.