Body Repair

Mechanical and electrical trim technicians (MET) are responsible for identifying damaged mechanical and electrical components on vehicles and removing and refitting before and after the vehicle is refinished.
Duties may include:

• Identifying the extent of damage
• Accessing and removing damaged components
• Installing new components
• Using welding and soldering equipment
• Ensuring the vehicle is in working order

As a mechanical and electrical trim technician you will need to demonstrate:

• The ability to use specialised equipment
• The ability to work as part of a team and on your own initiative
• Good communication skills
• An awareness of safety procedures
• The ability to follow written and verbal instructions

You will need to be trained in vehicle body and paint operations mechanical and electrical trim/body fitting. There are a range of qualifications you can study that will give you the underpinning knowledge and skills required to carry out the job. 

Alternatively if you already working in a similar role you could complete your Automotive Technician Accreditaion (ATA) in MET, this is a demonstration of competence and is valid for three years.  For more information please see ATA MET.

Qualifications

IMI Awards

Level 2 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Body - Mechanical, Electrical and Trim (MET Principles)

EdExcel

BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Mechanical, Electrical and Trim (MET) Principles (VRQ)

City & Guilds

Level 2 Vehicle Accident Repair (4291) (VRQ)

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 MET/body fitting technician you may earn between £7,000-£13,000 per year
• Once 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 MET 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 and 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 level 2 at this stage in vehicle body and paint operations MET/body fitting. To do this you may need 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- Mechanical and Trim Technician)  In this apprenticeship you’ll have the choice to focus on mechanical, electrical and trim body fitting; body repair; or body finishing. Mechanical, electrical and trim technicians repair moving parts and electronics. They assess the damage and then get at the broken parts inside by removing the bodywork (trim), fix the internal parts, and then replace the bodywork.

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