Automobile Collision Repairers: Job Description, Education, Skills and Duties, Earnings and Outlook
Submitted by: paula
Job Overview Automobiles, in the early times were much simpler and even the owners of the vehicles can perform body repairs by themselves. As automobile industry developed over time, vehicles became more complex and sophisticated which now required an expert to work on it. This also established automobile body repair shops. Body repair of a vehicle is more confusing because of the new body materials and styles. Automobile collision repairers are now consulted by vehicle owners when it comes to dents and problems with their cars.
Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required
Automobile collision repairers should be knowledgeable in Computer, Mathematics and English and should take Automotive and Shop classes. To understand and easily follow repair manuals, reading comprehension skills should also be developed. Speech or English classes will be helpful to develop communication skills. Vocational schools, independent organization, community colleges and manufacturers have a vast selection of training programs that they offer to their students. Students and applicants will be taught on how to work on high-strength steels, plastics and aluminum which is now the most common materials in new automobiles. A special training would include detecting hidden problems that may occur because of the accident or breakdown. Skills and knowledge should be updated every now and then as the automotive technology changes fast as well as the materials and methods in repairing the products or the vehicles. Certification can be obtained and is being provided by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).
Skills and Abilities
Automobile collision repairer usually invests on hand tools that they will use in repairing vehicles. The employer would be providing large power tools and other testing equipment by which the repairer should know how to operate. It is important that they are resourceful since different repair methods are applied depending on the problem with the vehicle. They need to have excellent mechanical skills.
Duties
Accidents and breakdowns are common reasons that automobiles need to be repaired and reconditioned by an automobile collision repairer. Their responsibility includes removing dents, straightening bent bodies and replacing parts which can no longer be repaired.
They also realign vehicle frames, remove or replace panels and smoothen dents. It is their duty to remove electrical components, car seats, dashboards, accessories and hydraulic windows to fix the part that needs to be repaired. Special measuring equipment are used. Repainting surfaces, filling small dents and holes and removing rust are part of their job. They need to assess the damage accurately and provide their customers with repair estimates.
Earnings and Job Outlook
The average salary of automobile collision repairer in 2005 was $34,810. Their income depends on the type of shop where they work, the geographic location and the work experience. There is a shortage for skilled laborer wherein automobile collision repairer is included. Aside from the shortage, the increase in the demand for automobiles will also give more job opportunities. Although some workers in automobile industry had been affected by the changes in economic conditions, automobile collision repairers were not greatly affected i n terms of employment.
Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.
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Word Count: 551 Date: Thu, 25 Nov 2010 Time: 9:02 PM
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