Body Repair

When cars, vans, motorcycles and larger vehicles are damaged in accidents, they are taken to a body repair workshop. Some repairers will complete the process from start to finish and others will have specialised roles and work on one part of the repair process. Paint technicians are responsible for preparing vehicles to be painted after damage has occurred or panels have been replaced. This will include repairing minor scratches to match the rest of the vehicle. Duties of a paint technician may include:

• Ensuring all parts have been stripped from the vehicle in order for it to be painted
• Sanding down relevant area and adjoining areas for blending
• Masking out areas to be treated
• Etching and priming area to be treated
• Selecting, matching and mixing colour

As a paint technician you will need to demonstrate:

• Strong communication skills
• The ability to work alone and as part of a team
• The ability to maintain quality under pressure
• An awareness of safety procedures
• The ability to use specialist equipment
• The ability to follow written and verbal instructions
• Good manual skills
• A good eye for detail and colour

You will need to have a good understanding of vehicle body and repair operations; you will be expected to be trained in body and paint operations in refinishing at level 2 for this work. There are a range of qualifications such as N/SVQs and VRQs in vehicle body and paint operations in refinishing. You will need to have a good understanding of automotive systems and the specific materials required for the repair process.

Once working in a paint technician role you can complete your Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) at one of two levels, this is an accreditation that shows current competence and is valid for three years.  To find out more go to ATA Paint.
 

Qualifications

IMI Awards

Level 1 Diploma in Automotive Refinishing (QCF)

Level 2 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Paint Principles (VRQ)

City & Guilds

Certificate/Diploma in Automotive Maintenance and Repair

Please note: These figures are meant as a guide only and may vary from employer to employer and may be dependent on the geographical area.

You will normally work from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday; however, you may be able to work overtime in the evenings and at weekends. You will usually work indoors in workshops or bodyshops and you will be expected to wear safety clothing when using specialised equipment and carrying out certain tasks.

Salary:

• As a trainee paint technician you may earn between £7,000-£13,000 per year
• Once you are qualified you may expect to earn £19,000 or more
• Experienced motor vehicle professionals can earn up to £30,000

There may be opportunities for shift and overtime pay depending on your employer. You may also be eligible for holiday entitlement, company pension and private healthcare schemes.

There are several ways of starting your career as a trainee paint technician:

• Train at work, in a dedicated training facility managed by the employer; many manufacturers offer apprenticeship programmes that involve training at specially equipped centres
• Study on day release at local colleges or with training providers whilst in employment
• Attend college, or a private training provider who will organise work placements
• Study full time at college with practical exercises as well as classroom work

You may be considered for this job via an apprentice/traineeship scheme. Apprentice/traineeship schemes may vary from employer to employer but they will typically work towards an N/SVQ and will be on-the-job training. To do this you may require GCSEs/Standard Grades in English, Maths, Science and IT or appropriate equivalents. For further information on apprentice/traineeships in England please visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk, for Wales please visit www.careerswales.com for Northern Ireland please visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/careers and for Scotland please visit www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk

 

Apprenticeships

Vehicle Body and Paint (Intermediate- Paint Technician)  As an apprentice, you’ll have the choice to focus on mechanical, electrical or trim body fitting; body repair; or body finishing. Mechanical, electrical and trim technicians repair moving parts and electronics.

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