Ottawa’s automotive sector offers rewarding career opportunities across a wide range of disciplines, from skilled trades and technical positions to customer service, administration, marketing, finance, and leadership roles. Whether you’re a student exploring future options, a job seeker considering a career change, or simply curious about the industry, there are many paths to explore.
Why Work in Automotive?
Automotive dealerships offer dynamic work environments where technology, customer service, business operations, and skilled trades come together. The industry includes a wide variety of career paths, opportunities to learn and grow, and the chance to contribute to an essential part of our community.
Explore Career Paths
Modern dealerships rely on professionals with a wide variety of skills and interests. From customer-facing roles to skilled trades and leadership positions, there are many ways to build a rewarding career in the automotive sector.
Service & Skilled Trades
Skilled trades and service professionals help diagnose, repair, and maintain vehicles while supporting customers throughout the ownership experience.
- Automotive Technician
- Apprentice Technician
- Service Advisor
- Parts Advisor
Sales & Customer Experience
Customer-facing roles focus on helping people find the right vehicle, understand their options, and enjoy a positive dealership experience.
- Sales Consultant
- Product Specialist
- Financial Services Manager
- Customer Experience Representative
Business & Administration
Dealerships also rely on professionals who support operations, administration, marketing, finance, and leadership functions behind the scenes.
- Administrative Assistant
- Accounting & Finance
- Marketing Coordinator
- General Management
What Employers Look For
While every role is different, employers often look for individuals who demonstrate a strong work ethic, professionalism, a willingness to learn, and the ability to work effectively with others.
- Reliability and dependability
- Communication skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer service skills
- Problem-solving ability
- Technical aptitude
- Professionalism
- Willingness to learn and adapt
Education & Training
There is no single path into the automotive industry. Depending on the role, individuals may enter the industry through secondary school programs, co-op placements, apprenticeships, post-secondary education, workplace learning, or previous experience gained in other industries.
- Secondary school programs
- Co-op and workplace learning opportunities
- Apprenticeship pathways
- College and post-secondary education
- Manufacturer-supported training programs
- On-the-job learning and professional development
Local Programs & Connections
ONCDA works with educators, schools, dealerships, and community partners to help raise awareness of career opportunities within Ottawa’s automotive sector. Through a variety of initiatives and partnerships, students and job seekers can gain exposure to careers, workplace experiences, and industry professionals.
- Dealership tours and workplace visits
- Career awareness presentations
- Co-op and workplace learning connections
- Apprenticeship-related industry connections
- Educator engagement initiatives
- Career fairs and skilled trades events
- Industry outreach and community partnerships
Interested in Working in Automotive?
Interested in learning more about careers within Ottawa’s automotive sector? ONCDA member dealerships offer opportunities across a wide range of departments, including service, parts, sales, administration, finance, marketing, and management.
To explore current employment opportunities, visit the careers section of individual dealership websites to learn more about available positions and application requirements.