Technical skills can form the foundation for a rewarding career in the auto industry. However, these aren’t the only skills a technician needs; teamwork skills are also vital in an industry that rarely involves solo work. NYADI The College of Transportation Technology offers automotive academic programs in Jamaica, New York, that provide technical and soft skill development. Here, we discuss how effective teamwork skills can benefit your career as an automotive technician.

Why Is Collaboration So Important?

When you enter the automotive industry, you will quickly learn that technicians seldom work alone. Auto shops consist of several individuals who all bring different talents and attributes to the table. Teamwork brings all these skills together, to the benefit of the company and its workers. It provides:

• Efficiency: Collaboration allows teams to divide and delegate tasks. This allows for a smoother, faster workflow to solve problems and complete projects efficiently.
• Specialization: While one teammate is good with hydraulic brake systems, another may be best at electrical. By combining skills, you provide an overall better service.
• Improvement: While working with your colleagues, you can learn from them. You’ll have the opportunity to improve upon your skill set, becoming a stronger technician.
• Accountability: Teamwork also helps you share accountability when something goes wrong. Instead of blame and resentment, you can focus on repairing the problem.
• Trust: The more your team works together, the more readily you trust everyone to do their part. You’ll feel comfortable in your workplace and proud of your company.

As you can see, collaboration won’t only help you provide a better service for greater customer satisfaction. You will also benefit through the opportunity to learn, expand, or specialize your skills, making you a better technician and a more valuable employee.

Teamwork Skills to Practice

Now that we’ve discussed why teamwork is valuable, it’s time to explore the skills it requires and how each is expressed in the automotive industry. The following teamwork skills are extremely useful to certified automotive service technicians:

Active Listening

One of the most important skills for any auto technician is listening. An effective team player knows how to pay attention to what other people are saying. Active listening isn’t just about being quiet and avoiding interruptions, either. It also involves asking questions, clarifying information, and requesting feedback to ensure that you understand your colleagues’ needs and perspectives.

Communication

While you should listen to your teammates, you should also be able to communicate. In this area, clarity and compassion are key. You’ll need to share information, questions, and requests in a way that your coworkers understand, and without judgment. You’ll also need to communicate your feelings, whether appreciation or frustration, openly and with understanding for others.

Delegation

The ability to delegate is useful to keep your workload manageable and to ensure that tasks are completed by the best-suited individual. Part of delegation involves knowing your shortcomings. If you are weak in a particular area, relevant tasks may be better handled by somebody more capable. Delegation also requires the ability to ask gently.

Team Support

Don’t just give other team members tasks to complete; make sure you support them when doing so. This includes encouragement, positive feedback, and praise for a job done well. It also includes taking jobs they delegate to you, even if you’d sometimes rather not do them. When coworkers feel like you have their backs, they’ll be more willing to share your workload in return.

Learn Teamwork Skills at NYADI

Skills like active listening, communication, delegation, and mutual support are invaluable in the automotive industry. Fortunately, soft skills like these can be learned in the same space as technical ability. NYADI’s programs offer ample opportunities to collaborate with fellow students, practicing the teamwork skills you will use in your future workplace.

NYADI is located in Jamaica, NY, where we offer a variety of automotive technology programs to future technicians. We are the only school in the region to offer associate degrees. We support our students through additional resources including tutoring, career services, and financial aid to those who qualify. Contact an admissions representative today to find out more about how training at NYADI can kick off a successful career.