Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics
Career Overview
Mechanics in this group:
- Test, repair and service motorcycles, motor scooters, snowmobiles, outboard motors, forklifts, recreational vehicles and all-terrain vehicles
- Work for service shops of motorcycle dealers and retailers
- Also work for independent service establishments
Duties
Mechanics in this group perform some or all of the following duties:
- Review work orders and discuss work to be done with supervisor
- Inspect and test engine and other mechanical components using test devices to diagnose and isolate faults
- Adjust, repair or replace mechanical or electrical system parts and components using hand tools and equipment
- Test and adjust repaired systems for proper performance
- Do scheduled maintenance service on equipment
- Tell customers about work done and general condition of equipment
- Figure out estimates of repair cost
- Repair or replace electrical wiring, plumbing, propane gas lines, appliances, windows, doors, cabinets and structural frames in recreational vehicles
- Determine estimates of repair cost
- May repair and rebuild hoisting mechanism and other mechanical systems on industrial trucks and forklifts
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
1,395% Employed Full Time
61%Key aspects of the work in this occupation:
- Work takes place in a controlled indoor environment
- Working with equipment, machinery or power/hand tools may be a source of injury
- The workplace may be noisy enough to cause marked distraction or possible loss of hearing
Career Pathways
There is movement between some occupations in this group.
Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Red Seal trade certification allows for movement between provinces.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Job Titles
Education, Training and Skills
- Completion of secondary school is usually required
- For motorcycle mechanics, completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program, or
- A combination of over three years of work experience in the trade and some high school, or
- College courses in motorcycle repair is usually required to be eligible for trade certification
- Motorcycle mechanic trade certification is compulsory in Ontario and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and British Columbia
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified motorcycle mechanics upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination
- For recreation vehicle technicians, completion of a two- to four-year apprenticeship program, or
- College, high school or industry courses combined with several years of related work experience, or
- Several years of on-the-job training are required
- Trade certification for recreation vehicle service technicians is compulsory in Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia and the Yukon
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified recreation vehicle service technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination
- Other mechanics in this group may require several years of on-the-job training
For more information please see SkilledTradesBC's website at https://skilledtradesbc.ca.
Mechanics who are certified for that occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.
For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.
Contact SkilledTradesBC for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.
For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.
View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.
Trades training resources
Visit our trades training page at www.workbc.ca/trades to learn about apprenticeship and trades training in B.C.
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair
Skills
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 10 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. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure that a machine is working properly.
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
1,395Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 20 | 1.4% |
| Kootenay | 50 | 3.6% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 610 | 43.6% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 40 | 2.9% |
| Northeast | 0 | 0.0% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 230 | 16.4% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 440 | 31.4% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)
490Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 10 | 1.0% |
| Kootenay | 20 | 0.7% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 240 | 1.0% |
| North Coast and Nechako | Not available | Not available |
| Northeast | Not available | Not available |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 80 | 0.9% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 140 | 0.8% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2023-2033) |
|---|---|
| Retail Trade | 190 |
| Transportation And Warehousing | 90 |
| Repair, Personal And Non-Profit Services | 90 |
| Wholesale Trade | 50 |
| Information, Culture And Recreation | 30 |
Resources
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Motorcycle & Moped Industry Council – Jobs Boardwww.motorcyclejobs.ca/jobs.asp
