Skills for success (Essential Skills) summary
Essential skills are needed for work, learning and life. They provide the foundation for learning all other skills and enable people to evolve with their jobs and adapt to workplace change.
Through extensive research, the Government of Canada and other national and international agencies have identified and validated nine essential skills. These skills are used in nearly every occupation and throughout daily life in different ways.
A series of CCDA-endorsed tools have been developed to support apprentices in their training and to be better prepared for a career in the trades. The tools can be used independently or with the assistance of a tradesperson, trainer, employer, teacher or mentor to:
Reading
Parts technicians read a variety of material including manufacturers’ catalogs and manuals, service bulletins and manufacturers’ warranties to provide information to customers on parts and products.
Document Use
Parts technicians cross-reference inventory lists, bills of lading and packing slips to determine if parts and products are in inventory and to verify that all parts and products ordered have been received. Parts technicians refer to catalogs and reference materials to locate part numbers, costs, availabilities and specifications. They also use specification tables to determine operating capacities and specifications for a variety of parts and products.
Writing
Parts technicians complete purchase orders, invoices, shipping forms, parts and repair estimates, parts and whole goods quotes, returned goods reports and warranty forms. They write emails to suppliers and customers regarding the status of shipments, to provide updates and to respond to requests for information.
Oral Communication
Parts technicians respond to customer inquiries about the availability and usage of parts and products. They speak to suppliers to place, clarify and verify orders. Parts technicians discuss inventories, retail displays and other matters with managers and supervisors. They may provide instructions to apprentices.
Numeracy
Parts technicians measure parts for dimensions such as outside diameters (OD), inside diameters (ID), lengths and thicknesses. They compare measurement of parts to specifications. They estimate wear on parts and calculate the capacities, dimensions and weights of parts. Parts technicians may reconcile daily sales invoices and calculate mark-ups, discounts, inventory tracking, surcharges, sales tax and invoice amounts.
Thinking
Parts Technicians plan and carry out tasks such as ordering, shipping and receiving parts and products, entering and organizing inventory, upselling and related sales. They judge the condition of salvaged and refurbished parts and locate substitutes for parts that are no longer available. Parts technicians use thinking skills to approve and reject warranty claims.
Working with Others
Parts technicians work closely with co-workers, such as shippers and receivers, drivers, service managers and trades people to ensure customers' needs are met. They exercise professionalism when providing services to customers, placing and responding to telephone calls, searching inventory databases and processing orders. Parts technicians may integrate job tasks with co-workers when lifting heavy parts and counting inventory. They may assist with the training of new employees.
Digital Technology
Parts technicians operate point of sale equipment such as electronic cash registers, bar scanners and scales. They search organizational and manufacturers’ databases for availability, location and prices of parts. They use sales management, electronic invoicing and electronic parts catalogs. Parts technicians use communication devices to send and receive information.
Continuous Learning
Parts technicians are continuously learning in order to remain current with advances in their industry. They may read product bulletins and take courses offered by manufacturers and sector councils. They may take training provided by suppliers of specific parts. They may take training for their organizations’ inventory and sales software, and for other topics such as customer service and safe work practices.