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Recreation Vehicle Service Technician Directly to the left of this help icon you will see this work indoors icon that represents where Recreation Vehicle Service Technician work most of the time. If the person in the icon is standing outside the building then the work is mostly outside. A person inside respresents mostly insde work and two people (one inside and one outside) represent the work has a bit of both. By clicking the Details buttons to the left will open the page and allow you to read more about becoming a Recreation Vehicle Service Technician. After you have spent some time reading and you would like to find out what schools are offering training for Recreation Vehicle Service Technician click the Yes, use this career in my Journey button.

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Automotive

Recreation Vehicle Service Technician

work indoors

Recreation vehicle service technicians install, repair, and maintain interior and exterior components on motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheel trailers, truck campers, tent trailers, and van conversions.

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  • Related School SubjectsDetails

    Math; Science; English; Shop

  • Field of StudyDetails

    Management; Administrative and Other Support Services; Retail Trade; Manufacturing; Repair; Personal; Religious and Other Services.

  • DutiesDetails

    In general, recreation vehicle service technicians:

    • Figure out what is wrong with RV units and what needs to be done to fix them.
    • Use computerized testing equipment.
    • Try different methods to find and fix problems.
    • Use the Internet to find ways to solve and fix problems.
    • Order new parts.

    Workers in this trade are expected to:

    • Communicate with supervisors.
    • Communicate with manufacturers.
    • Communicate with customers.
    • Take apart damaged and worn out parts.
    • Complete repairs quickly.
  • Working ConditionsDetails

    Location:

    • Indoors
      • Shop.
    • Outdoors
      • RV sites.

    Hours:

    • Regular Work Schedule (Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm).
    • Possibly evenings and/or weekends.
    • Longer hours in the summer.

    Heavy Lifting:

    • 20 kilograms and over.
  • PersonalDetails

    People working in this trade need the following characteristics:

    • Good manual dexterity.
    • Good balance while working off the ground.
    • Mechanical, electrical and electronics ability.
    • Good communication, organization and learning skills.
    • Willing to learn new skills.
    • Willing to learn how to work with new technology.
    • Able to work independently.
    • Able to work with a team.
    • Enjoy being challenged variety of tasks.
  • EducationDetails

    Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.

    To work in this trade in Alberta, at least ONE of these must be true:

    • You are a registered apprentice.
    • You are an Alberta-certified journeyperson.
    • You have a recognized related trade certificate.

    To register as an Alberta apprentice you need to have:

    • English Language Arts 10-2 or equivalent.
    • Math 10-2 or equivalent.
    • Science 10 or equivalent.
    • OR able to pass the entrance exam.
    • An employer willing to train you.

    Apprenticeship term:

    • Work on your first year in grade 10-12 through the Registered Apprenticeship Program.
    • 3 years.
    • 1600 work hours each year.
    • 8 weeks classroom training each year May take exam to earn.
    • May take exam in final year to earn Red Seal and work throughout most of Canada.
  • Programs OfferedDetails

    Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary.

    For more information, visit the Technical Training Centre on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website.

  • AdvancementDetails

    Job Opportunities in this trade include:

    • Management or supervisory positions.
    • Manufacturer service representatives.
    • Self-employed.

    Job openings are affected by:

    • Current employment rates.
    • People leaving existing positions.
    • Creation of new positions that never existed before.
    • Size of the occupation.
    • Time of year.

    Future Trends:

    • More than 1200 Albertans work in this category.
    • Expect an annual below average growth of 1.7% from 2013 to 2017.
    • Forecast about 20 new positions created each year.
    • Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
  • SalaryDetails

    Apprentice recreation vehicle service technicians earn at least 55 per cent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 65 per cent in the second and 75 per cent in the third.

    According to the 2013 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in this occupational group earned on average from $21.96 to $32.19 an hour. The overall average wage for this group was $27.67 an hour.

  • Other SourcesDetails

    For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.