CareerZone Pennsylvania

Automotive Body and Related Repairers

Description

Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.

Job Zone

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Education Requirements

Long-term training - Necessary skills are acquired through on-the-job training or formal education lasting more than 12 months.

Interests

Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Knowledge

English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal Service	Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Administration and Management	Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Mechanical	Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Skills

Time Management	Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Equipment Maintenance	Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Reading Comprehension	Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Complex Problem Solving	Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Learning Strategies	Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Installation	Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
Troubleshooting	Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Repairing	Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Equipment Selection	Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Tasks

• Cut openings in vehicle bodies for the installation of customized windows, using templates and power shears or chisels.
• Fit and secure windows, vinyl roofs, and metal trim to vehicle bodies, using caulking guns, adhesive brushes, and mallets.
• Read specifications or confer with customers to determine the desired custom modifications for altering the appearance of vehicles.
• Replace damaged glass on vehicles.
• Measure and mark vinyl material and cut material to size for roof installation, using rules, straightedges, and hand shears.
• Position dolly blocks against surfaces of dented areas and beat opposite surfaces to remove dents, using hammers.
• Remove damaged panels, and identify the family and properties of the plastic used on a vehicle.
• Review damage reports, prepare or review repair cost estimates, and plan work to be performed.
• Remove small pits and dimples in body metal using pick hammers and punches.
• Remove upholstery, accessories, electrical window-and-seat-operating equipment, and trim to gain access to vehicle bodies and fenders.
• Clean work areas, using air hoses, to remove damaged material and discarded fiberglass strips used in repair procedures.
• Adjust or align headlights, wheels, and brake systems.
• Apply heat to plastic panels, using hot-air welding guns or immersion in hot water, and press the softened panels back into shape by hand.
• Soak fiberglass matting in resin mixtures, and apply layers of matting over repair areas to specified thicknesses.
• File, grind, sand and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools.

Wages

In 2006, the Pennsylvania average annual wage was $34,250.00. The entry-level wage was $23,490.00 while an experienced worker made $39,640.00.

Outlook

During 2004, there were approximately 10,510 people employed in this field in Pennsylvania. It is projected that there will be 10,530 employed in 2014. This occupation will have about 2 openings due to growth and about 213 replacement openings for approximately 215 total annual openings. This occupation remained steady/constant.

Colleges and Training

Below are college programs that are generally associated with this occupation. To view colleges that offer these programs, click on the titles below.

• Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/TechnicianA program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, reconstruct and finish automobile bodies, fenders, and external features. Includes instruction in structure analysis, damage repair, non-structural analysis, mechanical and electrical components, plastics and adhesives, painting and refinishing techniques, and damage analysis and estimating.

For additional college information and related training about this career path, please visit:

AES EducationPlanner, PA Dept of Labor, PA Career Link, college.gov, and College Navigator

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