Working Life
Vehicle Body Repairers require many skills including:
- Working with a variety of specialised hand and power tools
- Fabrication of part panels and shaping sheet metal on a workbench themselves before welding it into place
- Application of primers such as etch primer, filler primer and surface primers
- Spray painting and preparing new or repaired panels as per manufacturer’s instructions
- Paint finishing and polishing as per manufacturer’s instructions
Aspects of Work
- Learning and developing new practical craft-related skills, knowledge and competence
- Working with and learning from experienced craftspersons
- Seeing a job through from start to finish
- Comply with Health and Safety requirements
- Working with vehicles
- Operating equipment
- Being accurate with numbers in counting, measuring and arithmetic
- Working with technical drawings and diagrams
- Using hand skills to shape metal
- Using tools or machinery to fabricate components
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- Being well organised and careful with practical tasks
- Lifting or carrying heavy items
- Taking responsibility for own learning, including the allocation of study time
- Working in a noisy environment
- Being physically active
- Passing all your phase exams (theory, practicals, skills demonstration)
- Earning as you learn
Qualities -
As a Vehicle Body Repairer you will need to be physically active and to be able to work with your hands.
An awareness of health and safety and good housekeeping is essential as well as attention to detail. There is also an increasing emphasis on the development of communications and customer relations.
The Vehicle Body Repairer must have the ability to:
- Plan and organise
- Communicate effectively
- Solve problems
- Work independently and as part of a team
- Show a positive attitude
- Recognise the need for good customer relations
- Demonstrate good work practices including time keeping, tidiness, responsibility, quality awareness and safety awareness
Occupational Hazard: If you suffer from an allergy or skin complaint, the chemicals that you use may affect you.
Note: A person wishing to become an apprentice Vehicle Body Repairer must pass a colour–vision test approved by SOLAS.
Interests - Vehicle Body Repairer
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Entry / Progression - Vehicle Body Repairer
Pay & Salary - Vehicle Body Repairer
* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.
View Salary information from Indeed.ie
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Labour Market Updates - Vehicle Body Repairer
Useful Contacts - Vehicle Body Repairer
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Society of the Irish Motor Industry
