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AUTO BODY TECHNICIAN – AUTO BODY PREPPER |
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Select Alternate Year - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008
Auto body technicians in the auto body prepper branch of the trade (auto body prepper) are responsible for the restoration of anti-corrosion treatments, substrate identification, surface preparation, undercoat product mixing and application.
Auto body preppers are involved throughout the collision repair process, often beginning with the application of anti-corrosion compounds while the vehicle is still mounted on the frame repair equipment. A key task in the auto body prepper branch involves applying undercoat products in the correct sequence, ensuring chemical compatibility, adhesion and durability. They also remove and install bolt-on components such as hoods, deck lids, fenders, trim, doors, glass and interior components.
Preppers perform substrate preparation mechanically or chemically as required by the job conditions.
Auto body preppers usually work a 40-hour, five-day week with occasional overtime required. They work indoors in a noisy, sometimes dusty, environment. Although most shops are well ventilated, the work involves exposure to dust and fumes.
There is always some risk of injury involved in working with sharp metals and power tools.
The work is most rewarding for creative decision-makers who perform expert and very precise work.
To be successful in the trade, auto body preppers need:
Auto body preppers are employed by auto body repair shops, automobile and truck dealerships, custom shops and sometimes by companies with vehicle fleets.
Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $17 to $26 an hour plus benefits, depending on the region.
Experienced auto body preppers may advance to supervisory positions or start their own businesses.
To work as an auto body prepper in Alberta, a person must be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyperson or hold a recognized trade certificate. (see Recognized Trade Certificates)
Auto body preppers learn their skills by registering with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to participate in apprenticeship training and, upon successful completion, are awarded the Alberta Journeyman Certificate.
An auto body prepper who holds a certificate that was issued by another recognized apprenticeship authority in Canada (province, territory or federal jurisdiction) may apply for an Alberta Equivalency document under the Equivalency Program.
Auto body preppers who:
may be eligible to apply for trade certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.
Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, an Alberta Occupational Certificate, or a credential that is recognized as equivalent to an Alberta trade or occupational certificate are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.
The term of apprenticeship for an auto body prepper is 2 years (two 12-month periods), including a minimum of 1600 hours of on-the-job training and 4 weeks of technical training in the first year and 1800 hours of on-the-job training in the second year.
To learn the skills required of an auto body prepper in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, a person must:
Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates and may select apprentices from among their current employees.
- during on-the-job training, apprentice auto body preppers earn at least 55 percent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, and 70 percent in the second year.
- select an educational institution that offers training for auto body prepper apprentices, and a time to attend training (see Technical Training Locations and Schedule)
- determine requirements for enrolling at the selected institution, and forward completed enrollment form to the selected institution (see Enrollment Instructions)
When apprentices attend technical training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies.
Grants, scholarships and other financial assistance may be available. For more information see Financial Assistance or contact an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.
The Auto Body Prepper branch of the Auto Body Technician trade does not participate in the Interprovincial Standards (Red Seal) Program
To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a recognized credential, a person must:
A person who has a recognized certificate, as described above, does not require an Alberta Equivalency document to work in the trade in Alberta. However, some employers may require an Alberta Equivalency document as proof that the certificate is equivalent to the requirements of the trade in Alberta.
To qualify for a Qualification Certificate based on Canadian credentials, a person must:
To qualify for an Alberta Qualification Certificate based on work experience, a person must:
Time spent on supervisory or foreman duties, counter work, heading the tool crib, or on a training course is NOT counted as ‘hands-on’ work experience.
This application fee covers the verification and assessment of the applicant's work experience hours/months as well as one attempt at the Qualification Certificate theory examination. The Qualification Certificate practical examination requires a separate fee as identified on the application noted above.
