National Certificate in Automotive Electronics

This course develops your ability to understand vehicle electrical and electronic systems and develop systematic diagnostic skills.

14 subjectsLast updated 13 September 2026

About the course

This course develops your ability to understand vehicle electrical and electronic systems and develop systematic diagnostic skills. Learning combines technical study with practical tasks relevant to Southern African organisations and communities.

What you'll learn

Read simple circuit information and identify system components.

Carry out supervised electrical measurements and fault-finding tasks.

Record diagnostic evidence and verify repairs against a specification.

Requirements

Review your English, numerical skills and introductory knowledge of the subject. Prepare to follow technical instructions, record results and complete supervised practical work. Check the provider's published admission requirements for this certificate before enrolment.

Course content

The programme combines supporting studies, specialist subjects and practical integration. Each subject below includes its learning focus, outcomes, practice and assessment.

3 learning stages 14 subjects

1Specialist subjects7 subjects

Motor Vehicle Systems Service
Wiring Lighting And Auxiliary Systems
Automobile Engineering Drawing
Electronic Fuel Injection Systems Maintenance
Ignition, Starting And Charging Systems
Electrical And Electronics Fundamentals 1
Electrical And Electronic Fundamentals 2

2Foundations and shared practice5 subjects

Automotive Engineering Mathematics And Science
Automotive Communication And Computer Applications
Maintain Safe, Health, Environment And Fitting & Machining Processes
National Studies
Entrepreneurial Skills Development

3Practical integration2 subjects

Workshop Practice (Skills Proficiency)
On The Job Education And Training

Subjects in this programme

The programme combines supporting studies, specialist subjects and practical integration. Each subject below includes its learning focus, outcomes, practice and assessment.

14 subjects are listed below with a short description of each. The Subject descriptions tab contains the learning outcomes, topics, practical tasks and assessments.

Specialist subjects

Motor Vehicle Systems Service. Study the operation, inspection and servicing of vehicle or plant systems. Practice centres on a vehicle-system inspection, diagnosis and service portfolio, drawing on system components and operating sequence and drawings, service information and measurements. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the evidence supporting diagnosis and the results of post-service checks.
Wiring Lighting And Auxiliary Systems. Study the generation, conversion and distribution of electrical energy. Practice centres on a power-system diagram and performance assessment, drawing on sources, conversion and energy balance and power circuits, machines and equipment. You will record findings, justify decisions and check load assumptions, energy consistency and the limits of the proposed work.
Automobile Engineering Drawing. Study the communication of technical information through drawings and models. Practice centres on a checked drawing or model portfolio, drawing on drawing conventions, scale and dimensions and views, sections and projection. You will record findings, justify decisions and check dimensional consistency, completeness and usability by another person.
Electronic Fuel Injection Systems Maintenance. Study the operation, inspection and servicing of vehicle or plant systems. Practice centres on a vehicle-system inspection, diagnosis and service portfolio, drawing on system components and operating sequence and drawings, service information and measurements. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the evidence supporting diagnosis and the results of post-service checks.
Ignition, Starting And Charging Systems. Study the operation, inspection and servicing of vehicle or plant systems. Practice centres on a vehicle-system inspection, diagnosis and service portfolio, drawing on system components and operating sequence and drawings, service information and measurements. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the evidence supporting diagnosis and the results of post-service checks.
Electrical And Electronics Fundamentals 1. Study the behaviour and interconnection of electrical and electronic circuits. Practice centres on a circuit-analysis and low-voltage testing portfolio, drawing on electrical quantities and circuit relationships and components, symbols and device behaviour. You will record findings, justify decisions and check measurement technique, circuit assumptions and repeatability.
Electrical And Electronic Fundamentals 2. Study the behaviour and interconnection of electrical and electronic circuits. Practice centres on a circuit-analysis and low-voltage testing portfolio, drawing on electrical quantities and circuit relationships and components, symbols and device behaviour. You will record findings, justify decisions and check measurement technique, circuit assumptions and repeatability.

Foundations and shared practice

Automotive Engineering Mathematics And Science. Study mathematical reasoning for interpreting measurements and solving vocational problems. Practice centres on a worked problem portfolio using occupational data, drawing on units, ratios and numerical accuracy and algebraic relationships and equations. You will record findings, justify decisions and check units, numerical accuracy and the reasonableness of the result.
Automotive Communication And Computer Applications. Study the use of digital tools to organise information and produce reliable work records. Practice centres on a linked set of documents, calculations and presentation files, drawing on files, folders, naming and version control and word-processing layouts and structured documents. You will record findings, justify decisions and check formula accuracy, consistency, readability and recoverability.
Maintain Safe, Health, Environment And Fitting & Machining Processes. Study the prevention of harm and the control of quality during vocational work. Practice centres on a task risk assessment, inspection record and improvement plan, drawing on hazard identification and exposure routes and risk assessment and control hierarchy. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether controls address the identified hazard rather than relying on labels alone.
National Studies. Study the relationship between citizenship, public institutions and working life. Practice centres on a local public-service case review, drawing on constitutional principles and public institutions and citizenship and civic responsibilities. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
Entrepreneurial Skills Development. Study the development of a viable small enterprise from a defined customer need. Practice centres on a small-enterprise plan and test record, drawing on customer problems and enterprise opportunities and products, services and value propositions. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.

Practical integration

Workshop Practice (Skills Proficiency). Demonstrate the practical skills developed across the programme. Tasks integrate motor vehicle systems service, wiring lighting and auxiliary systems within an agreed work brief. You will prepare resources, carry out the authorised task and check the result. Your evidence should show consistent performance, accurate records and an explanation of decisions within your learner role.
On The Job Education And Training. Apply your learning through agreed duties in a supervised workplace. You will connect motor vehicle systems service, wiring lighting and auxiliary systems with routine service or production responsibilities. Keep evidence of preparation, work completed and feedback. Review your progress with the supervisor and explain how your decisions affect quality, safety and other people.

Assessment and practical learning

Suggested learning checks: applied questions, calculations or short cases linked to the learning areas.
Suggested practical assessment: demonstrate a procedure and submit a portfolio showing your method, results and quality checks.
Explain your decisions to the assessor and use feedback to improve the completed work.

Practical application

Build a training-circuit and vehicle-electrics portfolio using supervised measurements, fault diagnosis and documented checks.

Subject descriptions

Select a subject to read its learning outcomes, main topics, practical task and assessment.

Specialist subjects

Motor Vehicle Systems Service

Study the operation, inspection and servicing of vehicle or plant systems. Practice centres on a vehicle-system inspection, diagnosis and service portfolio, drawing on system components and operating sequence and drawings, service information and measurements. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the evidence supporting diagnosis and the results of post-service checks.

Learning outcomes

Explain the operation of the system named in the task.
Use observations and measurements to narrow a fault.
Document supervised service work and verify the result.

Main topics

System components and operating sequence
Drawings, service information and measurements
Fuel, electrical or mechanical interfaces
Inspection and structured fault diagnosis
Supervised service and adjustment
Performance checks and maintenance records

Practical task

For Motor Vehicle Systems Service, prepare a vehicle-system inspection, diagnosis and service portfolio in a automotive electronics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the evidence supporting diagnosis and the results of post-service checks.

Assessment

Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.

Wiring Lighting And Auxiliary Systems

Study the generation, conversion and distribution of electrical energy. Practice centres on a power-system diagram and performance assessment, drawing on sources, conversion and energy balance and power circuits, machines and equipment. You will record findings, justify decisions and check load assumptions, energy consistency and the limits of the proposed work.

Learning outcomes

Explain the main energy path through a defined power system.
Interpret load and performance information using suitable calculations.
Prepare an inspection or improvement proposal within an authorised training scope.

Main topics

Sources, conversion and energy balance
Power circuits, machines and equipment
Load requirements and system diagrams
Protection, isolation and operating responsibilities
Measurement, losses and performance
Inspection, maintenance and technical records

Practical task

For Wiring Lighting And Auxiliary Systems, prepare a power-system diagram and performance assessment in a automotive electronics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of load assumptions, energy consistency and the limits of the proposed work.

Assessment

Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.

Automobile Engineering Drawing

Study the communication of technical information through drawings and models. Practice centres on a checked drawing or model portfolio, drawing on drawing conventions, scale and dimensions and views, sections and projection. You will record findings, justify decisions and check dimensional consistency, completeness and usability by another person.

Learning outcomes

Interpret a drawing using scale, dimensions and conventions.
Produce coordinated technical views for a stated purpose.
Check and revise a drawing set using recorded feedback.

Main topics

Drawing conventions, scale and dimensions
Views, sections and projection
Interpreting a technical brief
Manual and computer-aided drawing tools
Detail coordination and revision control
Checking drawings against measurements and specifications

Practical task

For Automobile Engineering Drawing, prepare a checked drawing or model portfolio in a automotive electronics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of dimensional consistency, completeness and usability by another person.

Assessment

Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.

Electronic Fuel Injection Systems Maintenance

Learning outcomes

Explain the operation of the system named in the task.
Use observations and measurements to narrow a fault.
Document supervised service work and verify the result.

Main topics

System components and operating sequence
Drawings, service information and measurements
Fuel, electrical or mechanical interfaces
Inspection and structured fault diagnosis
Supervised service and adjustment
Performance checks and maintenance records

Practical task

For Electronic Fuel Injection Systems Maintenance, prepare a vehicle-system inspection, diagnosis and service portfolio in a automotive electronics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the evidence supporting diagnosis and the results of post-service checks.

Assessment

Direct observation of the task, the completed output and oral explanation of the method.

Ignition, Starting And Charging Systems

Learning outcomes

Explain the operation of the system named in the task.
Use observations and measurements to narrow a fault.
Document supervised service work and verify the result.

Main topics

System components and operating sequence
Drawings, service information and measurements
Fuel, electrical or mechanical interfaces
Inspection and structured fault diagnosis
Supervised service and adjustment
Performance checks and maintenance records

Practical task

For Ignition, Starting And Charging Systems, prepare a vehicle-system inspection, diagnosis and service portfolio in a automotive electronics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the evidence supporting diagnosis and the results of post-service checks.

Assessment

Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.

Electrical And Electronics Fundamentals 1

Study the behaviour and interconnection of electrical and electronic circuits. Practice centres on a circuit-analysis and low-voltage testing portfolio, drawing on electrical quantities and circuit relationships and components, symbols and device behaviour. You will record findings, justify decisions and check measurement technique, circuit assumptions and repeatability.

Learning outcomes

Explain circuit behaviour using a diagram and relevant quantities.
Measure a supervised training circuit and compare results with predictions.
Locate a fault using a documented sequence of checks.

Main topics

Electrical quantities and circuit relationships
Components, symbols and device behaviour
Analogue and digital signal concepts
Circuit construction and measurement
Fault isolation and interpretation
Documentation, reliability and safe testing

Practical task

For Electrical And Electronics Fundamentals 1, prepare a circuit-analysis and low-voltage testing portfolio in a automotive electronics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of measurement technique, circuit assumptions and repeatability.

Assessment

Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.

Electrical And Electronic Fundamentals 2

Learning outcomes

Explain circuit behaviour using a diagram and relevant quantities.
Measure a supervised training circuit and compare results with predictions.
Locate a fault using a documented sequence of checks.

Main topics

Electrical quantities and circuit relationships
Components, symbols and device behaviour
Analogue and digital signal concepts
Circuit construction and measurement
Fault isolation and interpretation
Documentation, reliability and safe testing

Practical task

For Electrical And Electronic Fundamentals 2, prepare a circuit-analysis and low-voltage testing portfolio in a automotive electronics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of measurement technique, circuit assumptions and repeatability.

Assessment

Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.

Foundations and shared practice

Automotive Engineering Mathematics And Science

Study mathematical reasoning for interpreting measurements and solving vocational problems. Practice centres on a worked problem portfolio using occupational data, drawing on units, ratios and numerical accuracy and algebraic relationships and equations. You will record findings, justify decisions and check units, numerical accuracy and the reasonableness of the result.

Learning outcomes

Select a mathematical method suited to a stated problem.
Show calculations with consistent units and clear assumptions.
Check the result against an independent estimate or known constraint.

Main topics

Units, ratios and numerical accuracy
Algebraic relationships and equations
Graphs, tables and interpretation
Geometry and measurement applications
Descriptive statistics and variation
Model assumptions, checking and technical reporting

Practical task

For Automotive Engineering Mathematics And Science, prepare a worked problem portfolio using occupational data in a automotive electronics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of units, numerical accuracy and the reasonableness of the result.

Assessment

Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.

Automotive Communication And Computer Applications

Study the use of digital tools to organise information and produce reliable work records. Practice centres on a linked set of documents, calculations and presentation files, drawing on files, folders, naming and version control and word-processing layouts and structured documents. You will record findings, justify decisions and check formula accuracy, consistency, readability and recoverability.

Learning outcomes

Create and organise files for a defined work task.
Use a spreadsheet or document tool to process information accurately.
Check outputs and protect the underlying information.

Main topics

Files, folders, naming and version control
Word-processing layouts and structured documents
Spreadsheet calculations and charts
Presentation of findings and supporting evidence
Data entry, validation and checking
Access controls, backup and responsible information use

Practical task

For Automotive Communication And Computer Applications, prepare a linked set of documents, calculations and presentation files in a automotive electronics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of formula accuracy, consistency, readability and recoverability.

Assessment

Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.

Maintain Safe, Health, Environment And Fitting & Machining Processes

Study the prevention of harm and the control of quality during vocational work. Practice centres on a task risk assessment, inspection record and improvement plan, drawing on hazard identification and exposure routes and risk assessment and control hierarchy. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether controls address the identified hazard rather than relying on labels alone.

Learning outcomes

Identify hazards and select controls appropriate to the task.
Follow an agreed safe-work and quality-check procedure.
Record an incident or defect and recommend corrective action.

Main topics

Hazard identification and exposure routes
Risk assessment and control hierarchy
Safe work preparation and protective equipment
Environmental impacts and waste handling
Incident reporting and emergency communication
Inspection records and corrective action

Practical task

For Maintain Safe, Health, Environment And Fitting & Machining Processes, prepare a task risk assessment, inspection record and improvement plan in a automotive electronics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of whether controls address the identified hazard rather than relying on labels alone.

Assessment

Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.

National Studies

Study the relationship between citizenship, public institutions and working life. Practice centres on a local public-service case review, drawing on constitutional principles and public institutions and citizenship and civic responsibilities. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.

Learning outcomes

Explain the role of public institutions in a community issue.
Compare perspectives using identifiable evidence.
Prepare a reasoned civic or workplace contribution.

Main topics

Constitutional principles and public institutions
Citizenship and civic responsibilities
Zimbabwean history and national development
Cultural diversity and community participation
Work, enterprise and public services
Evidence, public debate and responsible participation

Practical task

For National Studies, prepare a local public-service case review in a automotive electronics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.

Assessment

Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.

Entrepreneurial Skills Development

Study the development of a viable small enterprise from a defined customer need. Practice centres on a small-enterprise plan and test record, drawing on customer problems and enterprise opportunities and products, services and value propositions. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.

Learning outcomes

Define a customer need and a practical enterprise response.
Estimate resources, costs and cash requirements.
Revise a business proposal using evidence from a small market test.

Main topics

Customer problems and enterprise opportunities
Products, services and value propositions
Startup resources and operating costs
Pricing, cash flow and basic records
Market testing and customer feedback
Business risks, responsibilities and growth choices

Practical task

For Entrepreneurial Skills Development, prepare a small-enterprise plan and test record in a automotive electronics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.

Assessment

Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.

Practical integration

Workshop Practice (Skills Proficiency)

Demonstrate the practical skills developed across the programme. Tasks integrate motor vehicle systems service, wiring lighting and auxiliary systems within an agreed work brief. You will prepare resources, carry out the authorised task and check the result. Your evidence should show consistent performance, accurate records and an explanation of decisions within your learner role.

Learning outcomes

Plan and complete an integrated task to agreed criteria.
Demonstrate safe and consistent practical performance.
Explain the result and correct identified weaknesses.

Main topics

Interpreting an integrated work brief
Preparing tools, information and resources
Demonstrating the required technical skills
Checking output against agreed criteria
Responding to faults and assessor feedback
Presenting evidence and explaining decisions

Practical task

Build a training-circuit and vehicle-electrics portfolio using supervised measurements, fault diagnosis and documented checks.

Assessment

Direct observation, the completed output, a quality-check record and oral questions provide the evidence for this subject.

On The Job Education And Training

Apply your learning through agreed duties in a supervised workplace. You will connect motor vehicle systems service, wiring lighting and auxiliary systems with routine service or production responsibilities. Keep evidence of preparation, work completed and feedback. Review your progress with the supervisor and explain how your decisions affect quality, safety and other people.

Learning outcomes

Complete agreed duties within the supervised role.
Maintain a traceable record of work and feedback.
Evaluate progress and identify specific development needs.

Main topics

Workplace induction and agreed duties
Applying technical knowledge to real work
Work records and evidence of contribution
Team communication and professional conduct
Supervisor feedback and skills development
Reflective review and future learning priorities

Practical task

Complete supervised duties linked to National Certificate in Automotive Electronics. Keep a logbook, samples of permitted work and supervisor feedback.

Assessment

Assessment uses the agreed work plan, supervisor observation, work evidence and an individual reflective discussion.

Instructors

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