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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

$39K-$45K per year

Source: Bridgestone New Zealand, 2017.

Job opportunities

Chances of getting a job as a tyre technician are average due to stable numbers of people in the role.

Pay

Pay for tyre technicians varies depending on experience, but they usually earn between minimum wage and $45,000 a year.

Source: Bridgestone New Zealand, 2017.

(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:

  • advise customers on tyres
  • remove old tread from tyres
  • change or repair tyres and balance wheels
  • align wheels
  • test-drive vehicles to diagnose problems and make sure problems have been fixed
  • receive, check and shelve new tyres.

Skills and knowledge

Tyre technicians need to have knowledge of:

  • different types of tyres and the construction of tyres
  • tyre removal and fitting techniques
  • vehicle parts
  • New Zealand Transport Agency regulations and safety standards.

Working conditions

Tyre technicians:

  • usually work regular business hours but may do shift work, weekends and attend emergency call-outs
  • work in tyre fitting workshops and may work from a service vehicle to attend breakdowns.

What's the job really like?

Sam Ruddlesden

Tyre Technician

What does your job involve?

"Once the old wheels are off, you take the tyres off the rims using the tyre machine. Then you get the new tyres on to the rims. It's pretty physical work, so you need to be pretty fit.

"When the tyre is fixed on the rim, I put air in it and check the pressure. I then move it onto the balancer, which tells you how much weight has to be put on or off on each side. You soon learn how to judge that, and how to add weights in the right positions to the wheel.

"Once the tyres are balanced we get them on the car, tighten everything up, and spray the tyres."

What do you like most?

"The best part is getting to check out the variety of cars we get, like Aston Martins, Ferraris, Cadillacs and Jags, plus all the boy racer stuff. This is just a fun job to do if you are interested in cars.

"The next step for me is to be a wheel alignment technician. That takes a lot of patience, because you work to very fine measurements."

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
Check out related courses

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.

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.

(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.

Sam Ruddles working on a tyre in a workshop

Tyre technicians need to be strong to remove tyres from wheel rims

Last updated 23 April 2020