Tyre Technician
Kaiwhakamau Taea
Alternative titles for this job
Tyre technicians remove, repair and fit tyres for all types of vehicles. They also advise customers on different types of tyres, and check and adjust vehicle wheel alignment.
Pay
Tyre technicians usually earn
$22-$26 per hour
Source: Automotive Employment NZ Ltd, 2020.
Job opportunities
Vocational PathwaysPay
Pay for tyre technicians varies depending on experience, but they usually earn between $22 and $26 an hour.
Source: Automotive Employment NZ Ltd, 2020.
(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our pay information)
What you will do
Tyre technicians may do some or all of the following:
- assess tyre damage and wear
- advise customers on tyres
- drive vehicles onto hoists or jacks in preparation for tyre removal and repair
- change, repair or fit tyres
- balance and pressure-test tyres
- align wheels
- test-drive vehicles to diagnose problems and make sure they've been fixed
- check and safely shelve new and retread tyres.
Skills and knowledge
Tyre technicians need to have knowledge of:
- different types of tyres, tubes, rims and accessories
- the construction of tyres
- tyre removal and fitting techniques
- vehicle parts
- operating machinery and manual working tools such as a hoist, grinder and compressor
- New Zealand Transport Agency regulations
- health and safety regulations.
Working conditions
Tyre technicians:
- usually work regular business hours but may do shift work, weekend work, and attend emergency call-outs
- work in tyre-fitting workshops and may work from a service vehicle to attend breakdowns.
Entry requirements
There are no specific entry requirements to become a tyre technician, although most employers require you to have a driver's licence.
Most employers also expect successful applicants to pass a medical examination, which includes a drug test.
Tyre technicians gain skills on the job.
Secondary education
There are no specific secondary education requirements for this job, but NCEA Level 1 English and maths are useful.
Personal requirements
Tyre technicians need to be:
- accurate, with an eye for detail
- able to follow instructions
- good team members
- able to concentrate for long periods
- practical, including the ability to operate machinery.
Useful experience
Useful experience for tyre technicians includes:
- work with vehicles
- general mechanical work
- tyre retailing
- customer service work.
Physical requirements
Tyre technicians need to have a good level of fitness and strong backs.
Find out more about training
- MITO
- 0800 882121 - info@mito.org.nz - www.mito.org.nz
What are the chances of getting a job?
Although the number of tyre technicians is stable, people often don't stay in the role for long, so positions regularly become available.
According to the Census, 1,572 tyre technicians worked in New Zealand in 2018.
Customer service experience may help you get work as a tyre technician
Increased competition among tyre-fitting companies has led to growing focus on customer service as businesses try to attract and keep clients. People with customer service experience may have better chances of getting work as a tyre technician.
Varied types of employers
Tyre technicians may work for different employers depending on what area they specialise in, including:
- general car tyre servicing companies
- general mechanical servicing companies
- companies that specialise in servicing specialist vehicles such as trucks and agricultural vehicles.
Sources
- Barwell, E, human resources advisor, Bridgestone New Zealand, Careers New Zealand interview, March 2017.
- MITO, 'Investment Plan 2015/2016', 2015.
- Stats NZ, '2018 Census Data', 2019.
(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our job opportunities information)
Progression and specialisations
Tyre technicians usually start out fitting tyres, then progress into wheel alignment work as they gain experience.
Tyre technicians may also move into supervisory or managerial roles.
Tyre technicians need to be strong to remove tyres from wheel rims
Last updated 8 December 2020