Major Work Activity A - Performs common occupational skills

Table of contents

• Task A-1 Performs safety-related functions
  • A-1.01 Maintains safe work environment
  • A-1.02 Uses personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety equipment
• Task A-2 Uses tools and equipment
  • A-2.01 Uses catalogs and price lists
  • A-2.02 Uses hand tools
  • A-2.03 Operates power tools
  • A-2.04 Operates warehouse tools and equipment
  • A-2.05 Uses measuring and testing tools and equipment
  • A-2.06 Operates business machines
  • A-2.07 Uses computers and digital devices
• Task A-3 Organizes work
  • A-3.01 Uses work-related documents
  • A-3.02 Prioritizes tasks
• Task A-4 Uses communication and mentoring techniques
  • A-4.01 Uses communication techniques
  • A-4.02 Uses mentoring techniques

Task A-1 Performs safety-related functions

Task descriptor

Parts technicians need to be familiar with safety procedures, the location of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety equipment, and how to properly use that equipment.

Range of variables

• jurisdictional regulations include: International Organization for Standardization (ISO) procedures, federal [Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)]
• hazardous conditions include: oil on the floor, tripping hazards, obstruction in a pathway, poor lighting
• dangerous goods include: batteries, automotive and industrial paint supplies, corrosive chemicals, explosive chemicals, sharp objects, cleaning chemicals
• unsafe practices include: co-worker not wearing required PPE, operating lifting equipment in an incorrect manner, poor lifting techniques
• housekeeping duties include: sweeping floors, disposing of packaging material

Range of variables

• dangerous goods include: batteries, automotive and industrial paint supplies, corrosive chemicals, explosive chemicals, sharp objects, cleaning chemicals
• jurisdictional regulations include: ISO procedures, federal (WHMIS)
• unsafe practices include: co-worker not wearing required PPE, operating lifting equipment in an incorrect manner, poor lifting techniques
• housekeeping duties include: sweeping floors, disposing of packaging material

Range of variables

• PPE includes: masks (charcoal masks with respirators), gloves, eye protection (safety glasses), hardhats, face shields, hazardous materials suit, breathing apparatus, boots, respiratory equipment, ear protection
• safety equipment includes: lifting straps, chain slings, eye wash stations, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, spill containment equipment, safety harnesses, lanyards

Range of variables

• PPE includes: masks (charcoal masks with respirators), gloves, eye protection (safety glasses), hardhats, face shields, hazardous materials suit, breathing apparatus, boots, respiratory equipment, ear protection
• safety equipment includes: lifting straps, chain slings, eye wash stations, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, spill containment equipment, safety harnesses, lanyards
• codes and regulations include: WHMIS, Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG), Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S)

Task A-2 Uses tools and equipment

Task descriptor

Parts technicians need to know how to use a wide range of tools and equipment to complete their work accurately and in a timely fashion. Proper use of PPE and safety equipment is mandatory when operating tools and equipment.

Range of variables

• types of catalogs include: printed, electronic
• price lists include: retail, jobber, wholesale, cost

Range of variables

• hand tools include: knives, magnifying glasses, hammers, wrenches, ratchets and sockets, pressure gauges, torque wrenches, cutting tools, electronic diagnostic tools, screw drivers, pry bars

Range of variables

• hand tools include: knives, magnifying glasses, hammers, wrenches, ratchets and sockets, pressure gauges, torque wrenches, cutting tools, electronic diagnostic tools, screw drivers, pry bars

Range of variables

• power tools include: drills, hydraulic hose crimpers, chop saws, grinders, cut-off saws, hydraulic presses, electric drills, brake lathes, impact wrenches, alternator/starter bench testers, voltage regulator, module testers, amperage voltage resistance (AVR) testing equipment, battery chargers

Range of variables

• power tools include: drills, hydraulic hose crimpers, chop saws, grinders, cut-off saws, hydraulic presses, electric drills, brake lathes, impact wrenches, alternator/starter bench testers, voltage regulator, module testers, AVR testing equipment, battery chargers

Range of variables

• warehouse tools and equipment include: forklifts, power pallet jacks, handcarts, banding and strapping equipment, rigging and hoisting equipment, air staplers, hoists, pallet jacks, ladders, carousels, order pickers, motor vehicles (ride-on pallet trucks)
• jurisdictional regulations include: ISO procedures, federal (WHMIS)

Range of variables

• warehouse tools and equipment include: forklifts, power pallet jacks, handcarts, banding and strapping equipment, rigging and hoisting equipment, air staplers, hoists, pallet jacks, ladders, carousels, order pickers, motor vehicles (ride-on pallet trucks)

Range of variables

• measuring and testing tools and equipment include: measuring tapes, micrometers, scales, battery testers and chargers, digital and vernier calipers, thread pitch gauges, belt measuring tools

Range of variables

• measuring and testing tools and equipment include: measuring tapes, micrometers, scales, battery testers and chargers, digital and vernier calipers, thread pitch gauges, belt measuring tools

Range of variables

• business machines include: facsimile (fax) machines, scanners, photocopiers, debit/credit card machines, cash registers, barcode scanner, printers, calculators, postage meters

Range of variables

• business machines include: fax machines, scanners, photocopiers, debit/credit card machines, cash registers, barcode scanner, printers, calculators, postage meters

Range of variables

• digital devices include: tablets, mobile phones, cameras, laptops, memory sticks, CDs, DVDs, desktop computers, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, portable hard drives
• computer-generated documents include: invoices, pick tickets, customer records, purchase orders (PO), shipping documents, packing lists, special orders, work orders, dispatch lists, credit memos
• online systems include: inventory control, ordering control, cataloging, invoicing, pricing, scanning, purchasing
• external computer components include: keyboards, monitors, mouse, portable hard drives, cables and connectors, scanners, printers

Range of variables

• digital devices include: tablets, mobile phones, cameras, laptops, memory sticks, CDs, DVDs, desktop computers, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, portable hard drives
• computer-generated documents include: invoices, pick tickets, customer records, PO, shipping documents, packing lists, special orders, work orders, dispatch lists, credit memos
• online systems include: inventory control, ordering control, cataloging, invoicing, pricing, scanning, purchasing

Task A-3 Organizes work

Task descriptor

Time management of priorities and knowing where to find the accurate information quickly is necessary to complete tasks efficiently.

Range of variables

• documentation includes: SDS, technical service bulletins (TSB), warranties, schematics, TDG booklets, catalogs, recalls, manuals, maintenance records, field service action (FSA)
• forms include: point of sale invoicing, shipping and receiving forms (packing slips, purchase orders, bill of lading, order and return forms), warranty claims, equipment registration documents, inspection

Range of variables

• documentation includes: SDS, TSB, warranties, schematics, TDG booklets, catalogs, recalls, manuals, maintenance records, FSA
• forms include: point of sale invoicing, shipping and receiving forms (packing slips, purchase orders, bill of lading, order and return forms), warranty claims, equipment registration documents, inspection

Range of variables

• factors include: due date, dollar value and downtime to customer, emergency or rush order, special order or stock order, merchandise recall

Range of variables

• factors include: due date, dollar value and downtime to customer, emergency or rush order, special order or stock order, merchandise recall

Task A-4 Uses communication and mentoring techniques

Task descriptor

Learning in the trades is done primarily in the workplace with tradespeople passing on their skills and knowledge to apprentices, as well as sharing knowledge among themselves. Apprenticeship is, and always has been about mentoring – learning workplace skills and passing them on. Because of the importance of this to the trade, this task covers the activities related to communication in the workplace and mentoring skills.

Range of variables

• others include: technicians, colleagues, management, suppliers, customers, public agencies
• communicate includes: in-person, by telephone, through illustrations and printed materials, written, text, email, video conferencing
• language includes: written, verbal, non-verbal (demeanor, tone)
• writing techniques include: grammar, punctuation, spelling, clarity
• active listening includes: hearing, interpreting, reflecting, responding, paraphrasing, asking questions

Range of variables

• people in the workplace include: other tradespeople, colleagues, apprentices, supervisors, clients, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ), manufacturers
• sources of information include: regulations, codes, occupational health and safety requirements, AHJ requirements, prints, drawings, specifications, company and client documentation
• communicate includes: in-person, by telephone, through illustrations, in writing
• learning styles include: seeing it, hearing it, trying it
• personal responsibilities and attitudes include: asking questions, working safely, accepting constructive feedback, time management and punctuality, respect for authority, good stewardship of materials, tools and property, efficient work practice
• harassment includes: any unwanted physical or verbal behaviour that offends or causes humiliation to the recipient
• discrimination is prohibited based on: race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, disability, genetic characteristics, pardoned conviction

Range of variables

• steps required to demonstrate a skill include: understanding the who, what, where, when, why and how, explaining, showing, giving encouragement, following up to ensure skill is performed correctly
• practice conditions mean: guided, limited independence, full independence
• harassment includes: any unwanted physical or verbal behaviour that offends or causes humiliation to the recipient
• discrimination is prohibited based on: race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, disability, genetic characteristics, pardoned conviction

Range of variables

• essential skills are: reading, document use, writing, oral communication, numeracy, thinking, working with others, digital technology, continuous learning
• learning styles include: seeing it, hearing it, trying it
• learning needs include: learning disabilities, learning preferences, language proficiency
• strategies to assist in learning a skill include: understanding the basic principles of instruction, developing coaching skills, being mature and patient, providing feedback
• teaching skills include: identifying the point of the lesson, linking the lesson, demonstrating the skill, providing practice, giving feedback, assessing skills and progress

• Previous
• Next