Storekeepers and Parts Technicians
(NOC 1522)
in All Business, Finance, and AdministrationStorekeepers and parts technicians order, warehouse, inventory, and sell parts. They work for manufacturing companies, warehouses, retail and wholesale companies, mining, forestry and construction companies, repair shops, hospitals, and other organizations.
Job Outlook
Average
Read more
Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
Outlook: average, mostly balanced conditions in the labour market.
Size of the occupation: moderate, with occasional job opportunities.
Demand: Approximately 20 opportunities are estimated for Halifax, and 30 outside Halifax. Employment is expected to stay reasonably stable. High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to employment opportunities. There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation. A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
Work hours: full-time, usually.
Hourly Pay
$15.00
Minimum$22.40
Median$30.77
MaximumAnnual Pay
$8,055
Minimum$36,684
Median$58,743
MaximumCompared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
Hourly Pay
$15.00
Minimum$23.00
Median$38.50
MaximumAnnual Pay
$6,754
Minimum$36,515
Median$70,271
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Storekeepers and parts technicians order, warehouse, inventory, and sell parts. They work for manufacturing companies, warehouses, retail and wholesale companies, mining, forestry and construction companies, repair shops, hospitals, and other organizations.
Job duties
Storekeepers and parts technicians:
- Receive and sort incoming parts and supplies.
- Store items in an orderly and accessible manner in a warehouse, tool room, supply room or other area.
- Process incoming requisitions and issue or distribute parts and supplies for internal usage.
- Maintain records of orders and the amount, kind and location of parts and supplies on hand using manual or computerized inventory system.
- Prepare orders to restock parts and supplies.
- Sell spare and replacement parts for motor vehicles, machinery and equipment in a retail setting.
- Advise retail customers or internal users on appropriateness of parts, supplies or materials requested.
Sample job titles
- auto parts clerk - retail
- medical supply attendant
- parts clerk
- parts counter clerk - retail
- partsperson
- parts technician
- storekeeper
- tool room attendant
- warehouse clerk - parts and equipment
Skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Customer service skills
- Computer application skills
- Problem solving skills
- Mathematical skills
- Manual dexterity
- Mechanical aptitude
- Organizational skills
- Attention to detail
- Ability to multi-task
- Ability to work independently
- Strength and stamina
Job requirements
- High school or equivalent, usually.
- Specialized training courses may be required.
- Trade Qualifier option: 8,100 hours and other criteria.
- Certification for parts technicians is voluntary in Nova Scotia.
- Write and score a minimum of 70% on the Red Seal exam for parts technicians.
- Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) allows for interprovincial mobility.
Other considerations
- Work is completed both indoors and outdoors. Indoor environments include offices, warehouses, and storerooms where large inventories are kept on rows of shelves or in bins.
- Work hours vary by industry. Most work a 40-hour workweek and those in large facilities may work shifts.
- Risks include operating large equipment like lift trucks and handling, transporting, and storing hazardous materials.
- The work can be physically demanding. Workers stand, walk, lift, and drive during the workday.
- This trade appeals to service-oriented people.
- Experience in a related clerical role, or as a warehouse worker, may be required for parts technicians.
- The activities of a parts technician are similar for all industries, but the product knowledge necessary is quite different. Parts technicians need an up-to-date knowledge of the industry as well as technical knowledge of the parts and their applications.
- This career offers stable employment and is not highly affected by seasonal employment trends.
- The computer and parts catalogs are the most important tools for the parts technician.
- Use of electronic catalogs requires parts technicians to be precise in the use of terminology within industry sectors in order to locate the correct parts in the catalogs.
- Experienced parts technicians may move into other positions like sales representative, purchasing representative, parts department management, store manager, or store owner.
- Parts technicians may specialize in a line of parts like automotive parts, recreational vehicle parts, marine parts, heavy equipment parts, agricultural machinery parts, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning parts, or refrigeration parts.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$38,261 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$33,997 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$38,399 median annual incomeSouthern
$30,189 median annual incomeCape Breton
$39,486 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Retail trade
Wholesale trade
Manufacturing
Transportation and warehousing
Public administration
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
15-24
65+
Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
65+
Top levels of education
High school
$36,631 median annual incomeLess than high school
$30,758 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$37,723 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$38,977 median annual incomeBachelor
N/ACompared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
College Diploma
$36,304 median annual incomeHigh school
$32,903 median annual incomeBachelor
$41,755 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$34,807 median annual incomeLess than high school
$23,174 median annual incomeEducation & training
High School Diploma or Equivalent
High School ProgramAdults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Various, NS
Various, NS
Parts and Warehousing Operations and Maintenance Technician
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to maintain inventory control, care for inventory, and make minor repairs to warehouse equipment.
Institutions providing this program
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Certificate of Qualification (Voluntary): This is a designated trade in Nova Scotia. Employers may require certification, but a certificate is not needed to legally work in this trade.