Vehicle Parts - The job that’s well stocked with career opportunities

There are lots of people who are fascinated by vehicles but who don’t necessarily feel they would enjoy the ‘hands-on’ technical aspects but would like to be involved in fast moving atmosphere of the automotive industry.

If that sounds like you then take a look at being a Vehicle Parts Operative. It’s a vital job within the overall business because it’s concerned with making sure the right parts and components are available at the time and place they are needed. If it is not done efficiently - because the parts can’t be found or have not been ordered in time - then vehicles may be out of action for much longer than necessary.
So the Vehicle Parts Operative is the person everyone else in the workshop depends upon.

Become a specialist

What will you do?

The main tasks in Vehicle Parts Operations are:
_ advising your customers on vehicle parts, components and accessories
_ taking orders for the parts required by your colleagues
_ controlling and organising the storage of large amounts of stock
_ finding parts and components when they are ordered
_ ordering fresh stock, when required from suppliers.

Vehicle Parts Operative’s do not work directly on vehicles but they need a very good knowledge of them. They must be able to recognise instantly hundreds of different parts and components and understand their place in the vehicle.
But that is just the start of it. In fact, the job is a combination of administration, stores-management and sales all within the same role. Whether you work in a local dealership or a major warehouse it is vital that parts are stored safely, conveniently and methodically so that they can be found at a moment’s notice.
It is also essential that orders for replacement stock are made to ensure that you are never running too short. Most of this work is now done through extensive use of information technology in order to keep track of what is available, where it is located and in what quantities (so as to order more when needed). In many cases, the Vehicle Parts Operative will also deal directly with external customers, selling parts and components over the counter.

Skills and talents

To be successful as a Vehicle Parts Operative you need to be very well organised and be able to cope with a large amount of detailed information and figures. It is now essential to be comfortable with the use of information technology because that is, probably, the Vehicle Parts Operative’s single most important tool. And although you will not work directly on the engine or other parts of the vehicle, you will need to understand basic mechanics and electrics to play your part in the motor industry in which you operate. Finally, good communication skills are essential both in dealing with customers and with your colleagues.

Getting started

To begin a career as a Vehicle Parts Operative you need to be trained and gain qualifications.
This starts with an Apprenticeship with Peugeot for which you will require good results from school. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland you will need 3 GCSEs at A-C, especially Maths and English, and in Scotland you will need the equivalent Standard Grades at General/Credit level. These qualifications will give you the ability to be able to go on and develop the other specific knowledge and skills you need in today’s retail motor industry.
An Apprenticeship with Peugeot combines work experience with a local Peugeot Dealer and training with Peugeot UK. To satisfy the requirements of an Apprenticeship you will need to gain a Technical Certificate, Key/Core Skills that include communication, numeracy and information technology, together with an NVQ/SVQ in Vehicle Parts Operations at level 2 or 3 that proves you can apply your skills and knowledge in the workplace.

...And once you’ve started you will find that, as you become qualified and more experienced, there are plenty of opportunities to develop your career by moving into supervision and management. This means there’s a world of opportunities ahead of you.
To get involved go to the apply section of this web site, go on what are you waiting for?  http://www.peugeotapprenticeships.org.uk/apply.asp
 

To find out more about careers and training in other areas of the retail motor industry go to Auto City