VOLVO CAR

SERVICE AND PARTS BUSINESS

Service Manager Bulletin
TITLE:

Technician Skillset Requirements for Work Performed
GROUP:

NO:

ISSUING DEPARTMENT:

CAR MARKET:

00

438

Technical Training

United States and Canada

REFERENCE BULLETINS:

Service Personnel:
Read and initial

SERVICE
MANAGER

SERVICE
WRITER

ISSUE DATE:

STATUS DATE:

2019-10-14

2019-11-08

WARRANTY
ADMINISTRATOR

Page 1 of 4
“Right first time in Time”

It takes a number of actions to fix the car right the first time in time. One of the most important is a
technician with the right training skillset working on the car.
Volvo Standard Times (VST) are linked to repair method and specific skillset requirements as indicated
by the VST in VIDA (see Fig 1)
It is mandatory that technician skillset requirements are met or exceeded when diagnosing or
repairing.
Unqualified technicians performing repairs leads to higher costs and dissatisfied customers. Repairs
performed by technicians that do not have the correct level of training according to the skillset
requirements can be denied.
Fig 2 - is a cross-reference table that aligns the Central Skillset with North America ratings.
Fig 3 - Technician skillset requirements displayed in VIDA for certain operations has been revised.
As a reminder, the technician performing the repair must meet the skillset requirements for the repair
method as shown in VIDA, including diagnostic operations.
See Service Manager Bulletin 00-428 for claim text requirements, specifically the technician personal ID
(PID)

Produced in the USA and available as an electronic document. Hard copy documents are printed in USA on recycled paper containing
a minimum of 50% wastepaper and 10% post-consumer waste.
© 2019 VOLVO CAR USA, LLC

Service Manager Bulletin 00-438

Fig 1

Page 2 of 4

2019-11-08

Service Manager Bulletin 00-438
Volvo Car Global Technician Skill Level Definition
(From VSTG)
STANDARD FOR TECHNICIAN SKILLS
Job overview (skill element) related to each level
Note: The following jobs are only examples.

VCUSA
Rating
Equivalent

Volvo Technician Level 1
Basic fault tracing
Replacing basic components on vehicles, such as exhaust system, brake pads, rear shock
absorbers, etc.
Measurement of power supply
Material handling (“environment”)

Quality

Volvo Technician Level 2
Adjustment of components or systems, such as transmission linkage or throttle linkage.
Scheduled service maintenance. DTC based fault tracing. Download software.
Test, repair and replace electrical circuits and components (examples: control modules, sensors.)
Configure and program systems/functions
Test and repair charging system, repair wiring and connectors
2-Wheel alignment

Certified

Volvo Technician Level 3 (Specialized)
Three different job areas: Mechanical/Hydraulic (M/H), Electronic (E) and Air Conditioning (AC).
The technician can choose to specialize in one, two or all three job areas.
Inspection of components, systems and functions (M/H, E, AC).
Symptom based fault tracing (M/H, E, AC).
Non DTC based fault tracing.
Replacement of complex vehicle components such as: brake discs front, viscous coupling
(M/H), evaporator, thermostatic expansion valve (AC).
Replacement and repair of larger units, such as engine, transmission, etc. (M/H).
4-wheel alignment (M/H).
Measurement of signal values (E).
Test and fill the AC-system according to legal requirements and Volvo norms (AC).

Master

Volvo Technician Level 3E + (3EB)
NICA (Hybrid Specialist) is the only person in the workshop who may assess whether a hybrid
vehicle’s high voltage system requires de-energizing or not.
Only the NICA (Hybrid Specialist) may de-energize/re-energize the high voltage system.
Work with internal components in the high voltage battery.

Hybrid
Specialist
(See
Footnote 1)

Volvo Technician Level 4
Necessary = level 3 M/H + E, and when the market also requires AC.
Set diagnostics, based on information from customer and vehicle/system, on any component/
system/function in the car.
Internal/external relations (conduct and communication skills).

Expert

Fig 2
Note 1: Starting January 1, 2020, a minimum rating of Certified Level is a prerequisite to achieve
Hybrid Level.
2019-11-08

Page 3 of 4

Service Manager Bulletin 00-438
Operation

Description

New Skill Level Previous Skill Level

17301
17302
17432
17481
17603
17607
17612
36004
51116
36635
51117
23734
51217
36002
51216
88408
51020
51147
85212
36001
85220
36050
25506
88405
23712

Original Service
Wear and Tear Inspection
Air Cleaner Passenger Compartment
Cleaning Inside of Windshield
10K Service
20K Service
30K Service
Software control module downloading
Brake discs front x2 replace
Remote control ignition key replacement
Brake pads/discs front x2 replace
Injector 1x replace
Brake discs/brake pads rear 2 wheels
Software control module downloading
Brake discs rear x2 replace
Seat belt front x1 replace
Brake disc 2 wheels check
Brake discs front x2 replace
Heater pad seat cushion replace
Diagnostic trouble codes read / reset /
Upholstery front seat cushion x1
Calibrating/Identifying with VIDA
Turbocharger (TC) x1 remove - install /
Seat belt rear center 3-POINT replace
Fuel distribution pipe

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
2
3

Fig 3

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2019-11-08