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Advanced Mechanical Trade courses or Non Credit Skills Programmes are designed for students who already have experience in automotive repair and maintenance and want to take their skills to the next level. These courses cover more advanced topics such as engine rebuilding, performance tuning, and using advanced diagnostic tools and equipment. The curriculum is designed to provide students with hands-on experience working with a variety of different vehicles, allowing them to develop a deeper understanding of the intricacies of automotive mechanics. Graduates of these programs are highly sought after by employers and are able to command higher salaries due to their advanced skill set. If you are looking to take your automotive career to the next level, an Advanced Mechanical Trade course may be the perfect choice for you.
| Functions of bushes and bearings |
| Construction of various types of bushes and bearings including friction and anti-friction ball and roller bearing such as deep groove, self-aligning, thrust and angular contact ball bearings and cylindrical, taper and spherical roller bearings, needle bearings and their applications |
| Concepts, terms and terminology related to bushes and bearings |
| Limitations of the various types of bushes and bearings |
| Types of bearing fit (sliding fit, press fit) and the reasons for these |
| Calculations related to bushes and bearings |
| Typical faults in bushes and bearings and their identification, related tests and causes |
| Maintenance requirements and methods for bushes and bearings |
| Safety, health and environmental issues related to bushes and bearings |
Function of clutch and pressure plate systems |
Construction and operating principles of various types of clutch and pressure plate systems including alternative or new clutch technologies |
Limitations of each type of clutch and pressure plate system |
Concepts, terms and terminology related to clutch and pressure plate systems |
Names, locations, structure and functions of clutch and pressure plate system components and parts |
Specifications and parameters including fits, clearances, reusability and calculations for clutch and pressure plate systems |
Typical faults in clutch and pressure plate systems and their identification, related tests and causes |
Maintenance requirements and methods for clutch and pressure plate systems |
Safety, health and environmental issues related to clutch and pressure plate systems |
Function of drive train systems |
Construction and operating principles of various types of drive train systems |
Limitations of each type of drive train system |
Concepts, terms and terminology related to drive train systems |
Names, locations, structure and functions of drive train system components and parts |
Specifications and parameters including fits, clearances, reusability and calculations for drive train systems |
Typical faults in drive train systems and their identification, related tests and causes |
Maintenance requirements and methods for drive train systems |
Safety, health and environmental issues related to drive train systems |
Functions of stationary engine systems |
Construction and operating principles of various types of stationary engine systems, including air-cooled, sea-water cooled, closed and open cooling systems, supporting frames, couplings, manual and automatic engine control systems, and noise temperature and fire control systems |
Limitations of each type of stationary engine system |
Concepts, terms and terminology related to stationary engine systems |
Names, locations, structure and functions of stationary engine system components and parts |
Specifications and parameters including fits, clearances, reusability and calculations for stationary engine systems |
Typical faults in stationary engine systems and their identification, related tests and causes |
Maintenance requirements and methods for stationary engine systems |
Safety, health and environmental issues related to stationary engine systems |
Function of suspension and steering system and wheels |
Construction and operating principles of tyres and wheels including ratings and sizes |
Principles of steering, wheel alignment and wheel balancing |
Construction and operating principles of various types of suspension systems |
Construction and operating principles of various types of steering systems |
Limitations of each type of tyre, wheel and suspension and steering system |
Concepts, terms and terminology related to tyres, wheels and steering and suspension systems |
Names, locations, structure and functions of tyres, and steering and suspension system components and parts |
Specifications and parameters including fits, clearances, reusability and calculations for tyres, wheels and steering and suspension systems |
Typical faults in tyres, wheels and steering and suspension systems and their identification, related tests and causes |
Maintenance requirements and methods for tyres, wheels, and steering and suspension systems |
Calculations relating to wheel alignment and wheel speed |
Function of vehicle transmission systems |
Construction and operating principles of various types of vehicle transmission systems |
Limitations of each type of vehicle transmission system |
Concepts, terms and terminology related to vehicle transmission systems |
Names, locations, structure and functions of vehicle transmission system components and parts |
Specifications and parameters including fits, clearances, reusability and calculations for vehicle transmission systems |
Typical faults in vehicle transmission systems and their identification, related tests and causes |
Maintenance requirements and methods for vehicle transmission systems |
Safety, health and environmental issues related to vehicle transmission systems |
Pascal’s law and basic principles of hydraulics and pneumatics |
Hydraulic and pneumatic symbols |
Reading and interpreting hydraulic and pneumatic diagrams |
Purpose and functions of hydraulic components (including actuators, control valves, relief valves, flow meters, pressure gauges) |
Purpose and functions of pneumatic components (including actuators, control valves, relief valves, pressure gauges) |
Construction and operation of hydraulic and pneumatic circuits |
Hydraulic and pneumatic applications in vehicles and equipment |
Identification, function and maintenance of hydraulic accumulators |
Typical faults in hydraulic and pneumatic systems and their identification, related tests and causes |
Maintenance requirements and methods for hydraulic and pneumatic circuits |
Safety, health and environmental issues related to hydraulic and pneumatic circuits |
Function of electrical systems in vehicles and equipment |
Construction and operating principles of various vehicle and equipment electrical systems including charging, ignition and lighting |
Concepts, terms and terminology related to vehicle and equipment electrical systems |
Construction of various types of batteries, including ratings, performance, efficiency and environmental considerations |
Wiring basics, including types, sizes, colour coding, connectors, terminals, fuses, relays, wiring diagrams |
Wiring diagrams and schematics, symbols, codes, terminal designations |
Names, locations, structure and functions of vehicle and equipment electrical system components and parts |
Specifications, parameters and calculations for vehicle and equipment electrical systems |
Typical faults in vehicle and equipment electrical systems and their identification, related tests and causes |
Maintenance requirements and methods for electrical systems |
Safety, health and environmental issues related to electrical systems |
Function of brakes and braking systems |
Construction and operating principles of various types of brakes and braking systems |
Limitations of each type of brake and braking system |
Concepts, terms and terminology related to brakes and braking systems |
Names, locations, structure and functions of brakes and braking system components and parts |
Specifications and parameters including fits, clearances, reusability and calculations for brakes and braking systems |
Typical faults in brakes and braking systems and their identification, related tests and causes |
Maintenance requirements and methods for brakes and braking systems |
Safety, health and environmental issues related to brakes and braking systems |
Principles of electronics |
Types, functions and applications of resistors |
Types, functions and applications of capacitors |
Types, functions and applications of inductors and transformers |
Types, functions and applications of diodes |
Types, functions and applications of transistors and thyristors |
Integrated circuits and circuit diagrams, such as how to read and interpret circuit diagrams for identifying errors |
Electronic applications in engines, vehicles and equipment |
Electronic test equipment such as multimeters and oscilloscopes |
Function of electronic control systems |
Construction and operating principles of various types of electronic control systems, including block schematics, communication protocols and buses, on-board diagnostics, error or fault codes and datalink connections |
Principles of PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) and multiplexing |
Limitations of each type of electronic control system |
Concepts, terms and terminology related to electronic control systems |
Names, locations, structure and functions of electronic control system components and parts, including electronic control input components and electronic control output components |
Specifications and parameters including fits, clearances, reusability and calculations for electronic control systems |
Typical faults in electronic control systems and their identification, their causes and related tests |
Maintenance requirements and methods for electronic control systems in vehicles and equipment, including parameter programming and configuration procedures |
Safety, health and environmental issues related to electronic control systems |
Function of fuel systems for diesel engines |
Construction and operating principles of various types of fuel systems for diesel engines |
Limitations of each type of fuel system |
Concepts, terms and terminology related to fuel systems |
Names, locations, structure and functions of diesel fuel system components and parts |
Specifications and parameters including fits, clearances, reusability and calculations for diesel fuel systems |
Typical faults in diesel fuel systems and their identification, related tests and causes |
Maintenance requirements and methods for diesel fuel systems |
Safety, health and environmental issues related to diesel fuel and fuel systems |
Function of fuel systems for petrol engines |
Construction and operating principles of various types of petrol fuel systems |
Limitations of each type of fuel system |
Concepts, terms and terminology related to petrol fuel systems |
Names, locations, structure and functions of petrol fuel system components and parts |
Specifications and parameters including fits, clearances, reusability and calculations for petrol fuel systems |
Typical faults in petrol fuel systems and their identification, related tests and causes |
Maintenance requirements and methods for petrol fuel systems |
Safety, health and environmental issues related to petrol fuel systems |
The principles of engine performance and efficiency including volumetric, mechanical and thermal efficiency |
Factors that impact on performance, efficiency and environmental pollution |
Impact of fuel quality on performance, efficiency and emissions |
Impact of exhaust and emission control systems on power, torque, performance and emissions |
Engine performance and efficiency calculations |
Sources of information, including customer observations, vehicle history, technical manuals, internet forums, OEM bulletins |
Approaches to systematic problem solving such as cause and effect analysis, root cause analysis, drill down techniques, 5 whys |
Sources of information to assist with problem solving, including customers, vehicle history, technical manuals, internet forums, bulletins |
Interrelationship of vehicle systems and subsystems in the problem-solving process |
Implementing, evaluating and verifying solutions |
Configuring process for control units after solving the problem |
Poor problem-solving approaches and their consequences, including jumping to conclusions, making multiple simultaneous adjustments, focusing only on one aspect of the vehicle system, applying solutions from previous experience, logic traps |
Function and purpose of lubricants and lubrication |
Oil characteristics, viscosity and additives |
Types of lubricants, including synthetic and solid lubricants |
Types of grease and their characteristics and classifications |
Oiling systems and components |
Function of lubrication systems |
Construction and operating principles of various types of lubrication systems |
Limitations of each type of lubrication system |
Concepts, terms and terminology related to lubrication systems |
Names, locations, structure and functions of lubrication system components and parts |
Specifications and parameters including fits, clearances, reusability and calculations for lubrication systems |
Typical faults in lubrication systems and their identification, related tests and causes |
Maintenance requirements and methods for lubrication systems |
Safety, health and environmental issues related to lubrication systems |
Function of induction systems |
Construction and operating principles of various types of induction systems and layouts including naturally aspirated, forced induction and after-cooled systems |
Limitations of each type of induction system |
Concepts, terms and terminology related to induction systems |
Names, locations, structure and functions of induction system components and parts |
Specifications and parameters including fits, clearances, reusability and calculations for induction systems |
Maintenance requirements and methods for induction systems |
Safety, health and environmental issues related to induction systems |
Function of exhaust systems |
Construction and operating principles of various types of exhaust systems |
Limitations of each type of exhaust system |
Concepts, terms and terminology related to exhaust systems |
Names, locations, structure and functions of exhaust system components and parts |
Specifications and parameters including fits, clearances, reusability and calculations for exhaust systems |
Typical faults in exhaust systems and their identification, related tests and causes |
Maintenance requirements and methods for exhaust systems |
Safety, health and environmental issues related to exhaust systems |
Function of heating and cooling systems |
Construction and operating principles of various types of heating and cooling systems including coolant, air, restricted- and full-flow bypass systems |
Limitations of each type of heating and cooling system |
Concepts, terms and terminology related to heating and cooling systems |
Names, locations, structure and functions of heating and cooling system components and parts |
Specifications and parameters including fits, clearances, reusability and calculations for heating and cooling systems |
Typical faults in heating and cooling systems and their identification, related tests and causes |
Maintenance requirements and methods for heating and cooling systems |
Safety, health and environmental issues related to heating and cooling systems |
Upon completion of an Advanced Mechanical Trade course, learners will have a comprehensive understanding of advanced automotive repair and maintenance techniques. They will have gained hands-on experience working with a variety of different vehicles and will be skilled in using advanced diagnostic tools and equipment. They will also be knowledgeable in the areas of engine rebuilding, performance tuning, and other advanced topics in automotive mechanics.
With this level of expertise, graduates of Advanced Mechanical Trade courses are highly sought after by employers in the automotive industry. They are able to command higher salaries and take on more challenging roles in the field.
