Tuesday, 02 July 2013 16:52

Road Jobs: Auto Careers and Dispatcher Training

Courses in dispatching equip learners with the skills to operate a switchboard and coordinate fleets of vehicles within a given territory. They keep records, logs and schedules of all calls received and monitor and control the applicable vehicles to oversee transportation operations. Dispatchers may deal with emergency situations as police or fire station dispatchers or they may work with emergency response units such as 911. They are trained to manage high stress situations
while remaining calm and coordinating assistance. One of the most important skills learned by dispatcher students is the language used when communicating by radio with drivers. It is challenging but rewarding work to coordinate between transport companies, emergency services and other contacts that allow operations to run smoothly.

Dispatchers do their part to keep the roads safe by learning road safety rules. They advise drivers about incidents and weather conditions they should be aware of or avoid by changing routes or by pulling off the road until conditions improve.

Dispatcher training course content

Many dispatcher training courses require applicants to have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Most courses combine classroom sessions with simulation programs through which students can practice what they have learned. Subject names vary from one school to another but course content is generally similar. Subjects include dispatch operations, communication technology, radio call procedures, telephone procedures and skills, crisis management and emergency services provision.

Higher learning

Dispatcher training at the basic level will earn you a diploma but you can also go for an associate degree and then a Bachelor's degree. If you wish to rise to supervisory or management dispatcher jobs, you will need to get higher qualifications. Those seeking auto careers in public service agencies like the police, fire department, public hospital ambulances and 911 must have the training to work with the high pressure situations that they will frequently encounter.

Police dispatcher training

If you wish to work as a dispatcher specifically for the police, you can choose to train in a police dispatcher school. Course options include a criminal justice technology program that is offered as part of a public safety course. There are also technical programs offering police dispatcher certificate programs that take six months. Courses in police dispatching include internship at a police station. The idea is to give students on-the-job training so that they know how to conduct themselves in a real situation.

Population growth and economic expansion are expected to improve job prospects for all types of dispatchers. While the job can get pretty hectic when several calls come in at once from anxious drivers, dispatchers must remain calm, objective and always in control of the situation.

Visit Automotive Training Centres for more information on being an automotive service technician. http://www.amazines.com/