Occupational Profiles

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
 

Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians

• Review damage report and estimates of repair cost and plan work to be performed
• Repair and replace front end components, body components, doors and frame and underbody components
• Hammer out dents, buckles and other defects using blocks and hammers
• Operate soldering equipment or use plastic filler to fill holes, dents and seams
• Remove damaged fenders, panels and grills using wrenches and cutting torch and bolt or weld replacement parts into place
• Straighten bent frames using frame and underbody pulling and anchoring equipment
• File, grind and sand repaired body surfaces using hand and power tools
• Mask and tape auto body surfaces in preparation for painting
• Mix paint, blend and match colours
• Apply primers and repaint surfaces using brush or spray guns
• Repair and replace glass components such as windshields, windows and sunroofs
• Repair or replace interior components, such as seat frame assembly, carpets and floorboard insulation
• Inspect repaired vehicles and test drive vehicles for proper handling.

Automobile damage repair estimator

• Inspect vehicle and estimate the costs and times for the repair and restoration of the vehicle
• Write report on damage and cost estimate
• Plan and coordinate work processes with the technicians
• Follow automobile industry safety norms and standards
• Provide customer service, such as answering all customer inquiries and explaining the complete repair process
• Follow up with insurance companies for claim related correspondence
• Order parts and material
• Maintain accurate documentation and obtain customer signatures
• Oversee final repairs for appearance and quality of work.

• Auto body and collision technicians
• Completion of secondary school is usually required.
• Completion of a three- to four-year auto body and collision damage technician apprenticeship program or a combination of over three years of work experience in the auto body and collision technician trade and completion of a professional or college automotive body repair program is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
• Trade certification for auto body and collision technician is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
• Auto body repairer certification is compulsory in Ontario and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
• Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified auto body and collision technician upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
• Automotive refinishing technicians
• Completion of secondary school is usually required.
• Completion of a two- to three-year automotive painter apprenticeship program or a combination of one year of work experience in the automotive refinishing technicians trade and completion of a high school or college automotive painting program is usually required for automotive refinishing technicians trade certification.
• Automotive refinishing technicians certification is compulsory in Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
• Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified automotive refinishing technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
• Automotive glass technicians
• Completion of secondary school is usually required.
• Auto glass industry certification is usually required.
• Apprenticeship training and trade certification for automotive glass technicians is available, but voluntary, in Nova Scotia, Ontario and British Columbia.
• Automobile damage repair estimator
• Completion of secondary school is usually required.
• A combination of two- to three-year of relevant automotive experience and education is usually required.
• Metal repairers, motor vehicle manufacturing
• Completion of secondary school is usually required.
• One to two years of on-the-job training are provided.