Yard Attendant

Are you interested in becoming an Automotive Yard Attendant in Canada? If yes, this post is all you need to understand everything regarding this job. From training to work hours, salaries, job descriptions, job prospects, and career development, you'll find all you need to be successful in this career!

Yard Attendant: definition

A yard attendant is an individual who works in a yard. Of course, there are different types of yards—two common types are transportation yards and storage yards. In the auto industry, yard attendants help to organize and park cars, inspect vehicles, transport vehicles, and manage parking lots.

Bottom line: Yard Attendants ensure smooth operations of automotive facilities. They ensure that yards are properly organized and vehicles are efficiently managed for customers.

What does a Yard Attendant's job involve?

Below are some of what a yard attendant's job includes:

Make sure that vehicles are properly parked in appropriate areas in the yard.
Transporting vehicles to the right destination, usually for customers to pick up.
Inspection of vehicles for cleanliness and damage
Proper cleaning of the yards, ensuring they're free of dirt and debris.
Interacting with customers and assisting them with their needs.

What is the salary of a Yard Attendant?

The average salary of Yard Attendants in Canada ranges between $33,150 and $45,673 per year. But understand that this figure varies from province to province. In addition, the salaries also vary due to a couple of other factors, such as the employer and years of experience.

Below is the average salary of a Yard Attendant in Canada by province:

Alberta: $40,950 per year
British Columbia: $40,950 per year
Manitoba: $39,000 per year
New Brunswick: $36,400 per year
Newfoundland and Labrador: $37,245 per year
Nova Scotia: $30,225 per year
Ontario: $39,975 per year
Prince Edward Island: $36,563 per year
Quebec: $39,410 per year
Saskatchewan: $40,378 per year

What are the social benefits of a Yard Attendant?

A Yard Attendant in the auto industry can enjoy different social benefits, including:

Enhanced social skills—this comes from interacting with customers and colleagues.
Improved team collaboration skills—this comes from working as part of a team. This will surely result in meaningful social connections.
Improved interpersonal skills—this comes from continuously interacting with diverse customers.

What training is required and what diploma is needed to become a Yard Attendant?

To become a Yard Attendant in the Canadian auto industry, you need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. You may also be required to have certain safety skills and certifications, depending on your province and employer. Other additional requirements and optional skills include a driver's license, being physically fit, forklift certification, and heavy equipment operator certification.

Keep in mind that the aforementioned requirements vary from province to province. Below are the basic requirements necessary to become a Yard assistant in different provinces in Canada:

Quebec—a high school diploma is crucial for entry-level roles.
Ontario— a few employers hire people without a high school diploma for yard assistant roles. However, the majority of employees often ask for at least a secondary school diploma. A forklift certification may be required if the job requires forklift operations.
British Columbia—in most cases, no formal diploma is typically required to become a Yard Attendant in British Columbia. Most employers often provide on-the-job training. However, some employers may prefer candidates with a high school diploma and relevant driver's license.
Alberta—Candidates with a relevant driver's license and a high school diploma often have an edge when getting a position as a yard attendant. However, some employers often hire without asking for a formal diploma.
Atlantic Provinces—a high school diploma and a driver's license may be essential to get a job as a yard attendant in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador.

What are the tasks and objectives of a Yard Attendant?

Ensuring that vehicles are efficiently fueled, cleaned, and maintained.
Monitoring and organizing of vehicles and other auto equipment.
Keeping the yard safe and secure and preventing various safety hazards.
Helping customers, when necessary, to address various issues.
Transporting vehicles from one location to another, within or outside the yard.

What are the working hours of a Yard Attendant?

A Yard Attendant in Canada typically works 8-hour shifts, which can vary between 6 AM and 6 PM. Some employers may require you to run shifts or work during weekends or holiday periods.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a Yard Attendant?

Advantages:

This job involves physical work, which is great for people looking to maintain fitness and stay physically active.
Service industries experience high demand. As such, yard attendants will surely experience stability in their careers.
This job is readily available, even without a formal diploma.
Yard attendants are open to many opportunities to learn about various equipment and logistics.

Disadvantages:

This job can be physically strenuous.
It involves working outdoors, meaning attendants will continuously be exposed to harsh weather conditions, depending on the season.
Attendants are prone to a higher risk of injuries. This, of course, is because this job involves handling different equipment, such as forklifts.
Unless the yard attendant has formal education and relevant certifications, career advancement is often limited.

What are the qualities of a Yard Attendant?

A Yard Attendant in the auto industry must possess the following qualities:

Physical Stamina is important because the attendant needs to perform manual labor, usually for extended periods.
Yard attendants must be attentive to details and safety regulations in the yard.
Great communication skills matter a lot.
Organizational skills, problem-solving skills, and the ability to adapt to different customers' needs are also important.

What professional skills can a Yard Attendant acquire?

Yard Attendants must acquire professional skills that focus on:

Understanding how to operate relevant equipment, such as forklifts and loaders.
Learning the basics of inventory management.
Having great knowledge of workplace safety.

What are the job prospects for a Yard Attendant?

Job prospects for Auto Yard Attendants in Ontario and other provinces in Canada are generally stable and favorable. There are plenty of opportunities in many industries, especially construction, logistics, and manufacturing.

What additional training can a Yard Attendant pursue?

Yard Attendants need to go for additional training programs if they need to advance their careers in the field. Some important programs worth focusing on include:

Forklift certification—entry-level yard attendants may need this certification to become certified forklift operators.
WHMIS training—this is crucial to improve their safety skills.
Other necessary specialized skills necessary for yard attendants include inventory management and logistics coordination.

What careers can a Yard Attendant pursue?

A Yard Attendant can progress into several kinds of careers, depending on their educational level, skills, interests, or experience. That said, below are a few Carter's yard attendants can pursue today:

Lead Yard Attendant—supervising and coordinating every operation happening in the yard.
Inventory Controller—keeping track and managing logistics and inventory levels.
Equipment Operator Trainer—training other attendants on how to safely and efficiently handle various equipment.
Logistics Coordinator—monitors every aspect of the business's logistics operations, such as shipping and inventory logistics.

Auto-jobs.ca is the reference job board for Auto Yard Attendants in Quebec, Ontario, and other provinces in Canada. So, whether you're looking for your first job or need help advancing your career, Auto Jobs will provide you with ads that meet your needs. By taking advantage of this opportunity, you'll surely get the most out of your career.

Visit Auto-jobs.ca now.