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Working Abroad Job Vacancies Job Hunting Guide Voluntary Work Working Part-time and Temping Useful Job Hunting Resources Working in Somerset Wages and Employment Rights Motor Vehicle Body Repairers in Somerset CLCI: RON CRCI: GF This work is different to being a mechanic but still involves working with cars, vans, lorries, buses and other vehicles. It’s a good job to think about because not so many young people know about it. Motor vehicle body repairers repair, replace and repaint those parts of a vehicle’s body that have been dented in an accident. In larger garages you may specialise in repairing, replacing or repainting. In smaller places you’re more likely to do all three. To find out more look under the above CLCI/CRCI headings in your Careers or Connexions library THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MOTOR VEHICLE BODY REPAIRERS IN SOMERSET There are vehicle body repair garages and workshops throughout Somerset. Some only do body repair. Others also do motor mechanics. A few businesses concentrate on working with particular makes. Certain body repair places just do actual repair work (often called panel beating). Others do paint spraying and refinishing. Smaller workshops only have two or three body repairers. Larger garages could employ as many as twenty. Wherever you go it’s important that you get proper training together with motor industry qualifications. HOW DO I GET STARTED?   Get work experience when at school to see if it’s the career for you   Go the college for a full-time motor vehicle body engineering course   Start a traineeship – or apprenticeship – when you are 16 or 17 and go to college as part of your job USEFUL QUALIFICATIONS   GCSEs in maths, English, science and something practical can be a good start   NVQs in body repair subjects through an apprenticeship   BTEC First and BTEC National Diplomas in Motor Vehicle Body Engineering through full-time college More about qualifications, courses and training can be found in Moving On (published by Connexions Somerset) DO YOU KNOW? If you’re working for a garage that specialises in a particular make of vehicle it’s likely you’ll be sent on courses run by the company that makes the vehicle WHAT IS THE PAY LIKE? Around £80 per week (maybe more) if starting as a new employed trainee or apprentice. Later, when you’re experienced and qualified, you’ll probably earn between £7 and £10 per hour. FINDING A JOB   Connexions centres   Job centres   Through applying for work apprenticeships   School and college careers notice boards   Speculative letters/visits/emails   Newspaper and industry publications adverts   Adverts displayed at premises and on industry/company websites   Job offer after work experience   Word of mouth   A Guide to Job Hunting gives tips on CVs, interviews and job letters. To view click here OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THIS WORK   Replacing means removing the damaged parts by using spanners, air tools and welding equipment and, later, re-assembling panels   Repairing involves using rams to push the vehicle back into shape and hammering dents back into shape   Repainting – or refinishing – involves cleaning, priming and rubbing down the parts before spraying paint to make the vehicle look as good as new   You could be repairing all sorts of vehicles or just those of a certain type or make   Safety standards and customer and insurance expectations are very high. The quality of your work needs to be first-class   After several years experience it is possible to become a supervisor or team leader   The work is becoming more technical so, as you gain experience, it pays to keep up-to-date with new developments WHO DOES THE WORK? Michelle (19) went to college for two years to do a BTEC National Diploma in Motor Vehicle Repair and Finishing. She is now working in a garage in Street where she is doing extra training. Next year Michelle’s boss is sending her to college each Wednesday so she can do a motor vehicle industry management course. Scott (17) is an apprentice in a small garage near his home in Shepton Mallet. At work he is learning all aspects of body repair work and -.on Thursdays - he goes to college to do the NVQs that he’ll need to progress up the career ladder. More Info: A-Z Careers Careers information dates rapidly. Every effort has been made to ensure information is accurate but please check details before making firm decisions. Make text larger Make text smaller Text Only Display Privacy Policy/Terms of Use