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AUTO BODY TECHNICIAN – AUTO BODY REPAIRER |
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Select Alternate Year - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008
Auto body technicians in the auto body repairer branch of the trade do damage appraisals, frame and unibody structural repairs, body sheet-metal work, plastic repairs, component replacement and alignment.
In the past repairers specialists used heavy frame machines and simple gauges to repair heavy collision damage. Today auto body repairers rely on precise factory specification charts and use sophisticated measuring and repair systems to restore damaged vehicles. Virtually all passenger vehicles manufactured today employ unibody or monoconoque construction where each body panel contributes to the integral strength of the vehicle, maximizing passenger protection. Supplemental restraint systems such as air bags and seat belts form a significant portion of the auto body repairer's workload.
Auto body repairers are responsible for restoring the structural integrity of damaged vehicles during the repair process. This generally involves cutting away damaged components and welding in new or recycled replacement components. Precise work is critical to restore the vehicle to its pre-damaged condition and to ensure that suspension and steering components are accurately aligned.
Auto body repairers also remove and install bolt-on components such as hoods, deck lids, fenders, trim, doors, glass and interior components.
After the repairs are completed the auto body repairer will verify dimensional accuracy, system functions, passenger protection and finally, test drive the vehicle to ensure proper alignment and handling.
Auto body repairers 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 repairers need:
Auto body repairers 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 $19 to $35 an hour plus benefits, depending on the region.
Experienced auto body repairers may advance to supervisory positions, start their own businesses or become automobile damage appraisers for insurance companies.
To work as an auto body repairer 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 repairers 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 repairer 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 repairers 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 repairer is 3 years (three 12-month periods), including a minimum of 1600 hours of on-the-job training and 4 weeks of technical training in the first year, 1500 hours of on-the-job training and 7 weeks of technical training in each of the second and third years.
To learn the skills required of an auto body repairer in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, a person must:
have at least a pass mark in a 5-credit Alberta Grade 10 level course in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies or equivalent, or pass the entrance exam (see Entrance Level Competencies, Exam Counselling Sheet, Entrance Exam Study Guide, and Entrance Exam Support Materials List)
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 repairers earn at least 55 percent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 70 percent in the second year, and 80 percent in the third year.
- select an educational institution that offers training for auto body repairer 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)
An apprentice who successfully completes a program as an Auto Body Repairer will be issued two Alberta Journeyman Certificates in the Auto Body Technician trade – one as an Auto Body Technician – Auto Body Prepper and one as an Auto Body Repairer.
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 repairer 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:
- a certified auto body prepper must have at least 4,500 hours and 36 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as an auto body repairer
- a certified auto body refinisher must have at least 4,500 hours and 36 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as an auto body repairer
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.
