Description
Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians repair and restore damaged motor vehicle body parts and interior finishing; repaint body surfaces; repair and/or replace automotive glass and repair defective automobile body parts and damage to the bodies of newly assembled cars. Damage repair estimators assess the degree of damage to a vehicle and estimate the cost of parts and labour. They are employed by automobile dealerships, automobile body repair shops, automobile appraisal centres and by motor vehicle manufacturers. This unit group also includes metal repairers. Apprentices are also included in this unit group
Job Titles
- Auto body and collision technician
- Auto body repairer
- Automobile damage repair estimator
- Automotive body mechanic
- Automotive glass technician
- Automotive painter – motor vehicle repair
- Automotive painter apprentice
- Metal finisher – motor vehicle manufacturing
- Metal repairer – motor vehicle manufacturing
- Motor vehicle body technician – truck
- Painter – motor vehicle repair
Main Duties
- 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.
- 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.
Workplaces
- Automobile appraisal centres
- Automobile body repair companies
- Automobile dealerships
- Motor vehicle manufacturers
Skills
- Repairing
- Equipment and Tool Selection
- Operation and Control
- Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment Quality Control Testing
Abilities
- Colour Perception
- Body Flexibility
- Stamina
- Trunk Strength
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
Personal Attributes
- Adaptability
- Analytical Thinking
- Attention to Detail
- Collaboration
- Independence
Similar Occupations
- Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers (72410)
- Supervisors, motor vehicle assembling (92020)
Source: OaSIS
Employment Outlook
The employment outlook will be good for Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators (72411) in Prince Edward Island for the 2022-2024 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
- A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
The prospect for employment in this occupation is favorable. Continued population growth by way of immigration has resulted in a growing number of motor vehicles in the province. This will support the need for increased repair work over the forecast period.
Trade certification is required for motor vehicle body repairers in some provinces, but is voluntary in P.E.I. Workers can complete an apprenticeship program or will need to have sufficient education and experience. Those with formal training in this field may have better job prospects. In addition, repairers that are familiar with new automotive technologies and materials such as aluminum may see more employment opportunities.
Here are some key facts about Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators in Prince Edward Island:
- Approximately 100 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators mainly work in the following sectors:
- Other services (except public administration) (NAICS 81): 89%
- Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 11%
- 70% of auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators work all year, while 30% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
- 30% of auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.
- The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
- Men: more than 95% compared to 51% for all occupations
- Women: less than 5% compared to 49% for all occupations
- The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
- no high school diploma: 16% compared to 11% for all occupations
- high school diploma or equivalent: 32% compared to 28% for all occupations
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 36% compared to 11% for all occupations
- college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor’s: n/a
- bachelor’s degree: n/a
- university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Source: Job Bank
Prevailing Wages
| AREA | LOW | MEDIAN | HIGH |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEI | $17.81 | $20.60 | $21.47 |
| Canada | $16.26 | $25.00 | $37.50 |
Training
There are no known training programs for this occupation in PEI. If you are aware of a local training program, please contact us.
There are currently no job listings for this occupation on WorkPEI.