Every day, cars need some minor repairs or a complete revamp of the entire body. Therefore, the vehicles need body shop technicians who can repair damaged body parts according to the manufacturer’s standards.
Body shop technicians- Essential duties
The most vital duty is repairing cars and matching the standards of the manufacturer. The next step is ensuring the appropriate body parts are ordered and received on time, prepare vehicles for body repairs, alerts the management of any challenges that could hinder the completion of quality works. And ensuring that all types of equipment and tools are in the proper state of repair.
Other key responsibilities of a body shop technician are maintaining and putting on required health and safety personal protective gear as recommended by the manufacturers. It is their responsibility to comply with set regulations on thinners, paints, and other hazardous materials. In case of any deviations, they should report to the management.
The technician works hand in hand with other personnel in prepping and repairing cars. They need to comprehend and comply with the local, state and federal regulations while operating the body shop’s day-to-day operations, namely hazardous waste disposal etc. They are authorized to use equipment and tools safely and carry out other tasks assigned.
Body shop technician- Qualifications
Carrying out each duty assigned to them in a satisfactory helps one become a successful technician. Below is a look at some of the requirements representing the knowledge, skill, and ability desired.
Education or experience
- A holder of a high school diploma or general degree may have experience of one to three months while others combine experience with education.
- Have a one-year certificate from technical schools or up to six months of related experience or a combination of both.
- Associate degree or up to one year experience in the related field or a combination of both.
- Have a bachelor degree, two years experience from a related field, or a combination of both.
- Last but not least is two to four years of training or experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Body shop technician- Language skills
An excellent technician should read and interpret operating and maintenance instructions, safety rules, and procedure manual. Should be in a position to write reports and speak effectively before customers and employees of the shop.
Technicians should be able to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, technical procedures, professional journals or government regulations and have the capability of drafting procedure manuals, business correspondence, and reports. Technicians should effectively communicate with the management and customers.
Body shop technician needs to effectively, read, analyze, and interpret financial reports, technical journals, and legal documents since they can quickly respond to complaints or inquiries from regulatory agencies, customers, and the general public. Technicians should effectively present data to top management, board of directors, and public groups.
As a technician, it essential to have the character of solving practical challenges that arise at the body shop. A technician should be able to apply scientific thinking to a wide range of practical and intellectual problems.