Parts Technician 

(Red Seal)

A Parts Technician enjoys using their strong systematic and analytical skills to oversee the many intricate procedures involved in ordering, warehousing and maintaining inventory control.  

As a Parts Technician, you’re an organized person well-suited to overseeing the complex systems that ensure businesses properly order, track and store the various parts and supplies they need. 

You’re a team player who works with retail service staff, sales staff and service technicians, who rely on your expertise to ensure they can properly manage the supply of parts and materials. 

What You'll Learn

  • How to follow proper health and safety requirements 
  • How to communicate effectively 
  • How to identify parts 
  • How to merchandise parts 
  • How to use equipment and procedures to handle materials  

Key Job Skills

  • Communication 
  • Coordination 
  • Parts identification and cataloguing 
  • Health and safety procedures 
  • Materials handling techniques and equipment 

Technical Training

To get certified, you will need to sign up for technical training at an approved training provider in addition to on-the-job training. 

Visit Trades Training BC and EducationPlannerBC for a comprehensive list of what programs are available in your trade at public and non-public schools. 

Technical Training 3 weeks over 1 year
Work-Based Training
1770 HOURS
General Skills
Analytical Coordinated Resourceful Systematic

For more information regarding the other levels in this progressive trade, please refer to the following program pages:

Program Updates

  • June 2023: Program Update (Harmonization Implementation)

  • November 2022: A new Program Outline and Program Profile will be implemented on August 1, 2023. Please see OPSN 2022 026 for details.

  • OPSN Archives

Harmonized Program Information and Resources

In effect starting August 1, 2023

Program Profile

Occupational Description

A "Parts Technician" is involved in ordering, warehousing, maintaining inventory control and sales of parts. They are responsible for identifying parts and equipment, searching for parts, shipping and receiving parts, providing customer service and advice, and maintaining records. 

A Parts Technician works in various industries such as automotive service, commercial transport, heavy duty equipment, small engine repair, aeronautics, agricultural equipment, marine equipment, the mining sector, and the forestry sector. The work environment for Parts Technicians is generally indoors in a warehouse and/or at a service counter. Some parts people may perform deliveries of parts to their customers. Parts Technicians generally work in teams that include retail service staff, sales staff, and service technicians.

View Program Profile

Exam Information and Resources

Interprovincial Exam Information

Updates:

  • October 2023: Program Update (IP Exams aligned to 2020 Red Seal Occupational Standards (RSOS)). A Comparative Analysis detailing changes between the 2015 National Occupational Analysis (NOA) and 2020 RSOS can be found here.

Information:

Challenge the Trade

If you have significant work experience in a trade but have never been certified in Canada, you may apply to challenge the certification. Learn more about How to Challenge a Skilled Trade.

OR

If you sponsor apprentices but have never been certified in Canada, you may request to supervise and sign-off apprentices when they are ready to be certified. Please contact customer service for more information.