Dents and Dings
“Technology will make your job as an auto body repair technician easier. Computers will help you identify the tiny adjustments that need to be made, instead of your having to find problems on your own. Computers will even help you mix the paint.”
Automotive Body Repairer
Automotive Body Repairers tend to have the following characteristics:
Education Required:
Minimum of high school diploma; formal training programs and certification by the National Association for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) are not mandatory but are preferred by most employers.
Suggested Courses:
English, math, chemistry, metal shop, computer applications
My job is to take care of car bodies. Although some customers just want new paint jobs, I spend most of my time repairing cars that have been damaged from accidents. Sometimes the frame of the car needs to be straightened or the wheels need to be realigned. I repair a lot of dents and broken lights too. If a part is damaged beyond repair, I replace it. Then the car usually needs to be repainted.
What I enjoy most is keeping up with technology. Engineers and scientists are always developing new techniques and materials to use in car repairs. I learn about new inventions by reading trade magazines and online articles and attending car manufacturers’ classes. It is important for my customers to know that they are getting state-of-the-art repairs.
When a customer brings in a car after an accident, I work with the person’s insurance company to decide which costs the company will approve. Sometimes these companies are hard to work with. Insurers don’t always want to pay the full price.