Storekeepers and partspersons sort, store and issue the parts and supplies used by the establishment they work in or for sale to the public.
People in this occupation:
Source: Estimated median employment income based on 2021 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))
Note:Estimated median employment income based on 2021 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))
Source: 2021 Job Bank Wage Report
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook
10 year expected job openings: 2,240
Storekeepers and partspersons perform some or all of the following duties:
Storekeepers and partspersons may specialize in a particular line of parts such as automotive parts, recreational vehicle parts, marine parts, heavy equipment parts, agricultural machinery parts, heating, ventilating and air conditioning parts or refrigeration parts.
Storekeepers and partspersons typically work 35 to 40 hours per week. Evening and weekend work may be required by those employed in retail outlets.
Those in this occupation generally work indoors at parts counters or in warehouses. These work environments can be dusty.
Workers may be required to stand for extended periods of time, operate large equipment (such as forklifts) or handle hazardous materials. Some clerks may be required to perform deliveries of parts to their customers.
Source: 2016 Census
Storekeepers and parts clerks should have a minimum education of Grade 10 or the equivalent (including English 10, Math 10 and Science 10) however, completion of secondary school is preferred. Other training may include:
Other beneficial qualifications for a person in this career include:
The Industry Training Authority in B.C. offers a partsperson apprenticeship and an industrial engines and equipment partsperson apprenticeship. All apprenticeships require workers to find a sponsor employer willing to participate in the program.
Automotive partspersons are eligible for Interprovincial Standards Red Seal qualification through the Industry Training Authority, which allows holders to work in any province or territory. Once individuals pass the final examination of their accredited training program, they will achieve certification and will automatically receive Red Seal qualification.
Workers with 7,560 hours of documented, directly related work experience can challenge the interprovincial Red Seal examination for the partsperson apprenticeship.
For more information, please see the Industry Training Authority website at: www.itabc.ca.
For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.
Visit our trades training page at www.workbc.ca/trades to learn about apprenticeship and trades training in B.C.
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 35 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. You’ll also find the skill strength needed, letting you know how capable you must be in that skill.
Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
The majority of job openings in this field will come from replacing retiring workers.
Demand for these workers is driven largely by B.C.'s automotive industry. The number of cars is increasing due to population expansion and tourism traffic. Trends indicate that people are keeping their cars longer.
The use of technology, such as computerized systems for inventory control, ordering and scheduling is significantly reducing the demand for these workers. Increased competition from both big box stores and online shopping has pressured retail outlets to reduce costs through the automation of inventory systems. Workers with good computer skills will have an advantage over others seeking employment in this area.
Career paths
Progression to supervisory positions is possible with additional training and experience.
There are also many opportunities to specialize within this occupation.
Additional resources