Vehicle Damage Panel Technician

In the Automotive Industry, we have lots of different types of businesses.

You could find yourself working in a busy accident repair business which repairs damaged vehicles after an accident, or you could find yourself working in a garage which specialises in repairs.

You could work with motorcycles, cars, lorries, buses, or even race cars. The possibilities for being a Vehicle Damage Panel Technician are endless.

A Vehicle Damage Panel Technician will repair and replace damaged panels. This can be a minor scratch or a dent, and different materials are used in the process. Larger impact damage caused by accidents can result in more sophisticated repair techniques.

Other techniques include riveting or bonding panels as well as welding. This role is all about helping reinstate the vehicle in a safe way, along with the rest of the team.

The Technician will work from instructions and methods to repair the vehicle correctly and will use different equipment and techniques to achieve this such as cutting, heating and sanding equipment as well as body jig, measuring and pulling equipment.

The role can include re-engineering the vehicle’s body structure back to the original manufacturer’s specification using the correct methodology.

As a Vehicle Damage Panel Technician, you can often expect to:

  • Get involved with the removal of parts from vehicles
  • Repair and refit parts to vehicles using welding equipment, adhesives or rivets
  • Mix filler to apply to a vehicle to smooth dents and holes ready for painting
  • Use equipment to measure and to align vehicles
  • Carry out repairs either physically or using technology
  • Get trained to understand and work with all kinds of vehicles and equipment

Remember every business is different, and every Vehicle Damage Panel Technician’s role is too, but if you speak to people who do this job they will say “it’s the best job ever” as you help to get people’s vehicles back on the road and looking as good as new.

This position is so important as it means that the Customer will drive away in their vehicle knowing it is safe and repaired to a high standard.

 

Don’t worry as we know you may not have the experience just yet, but you may have some of the qualities already such as problem solving and working well as a team.

You will learn all about the role and businesses, and this will help you improve your confidence and give you the experience and support you need to be a great future employee.

So, if you want to be a great Vehicle Damage Panel Technician here are some of the things, you will need:

  • To have good problem-solving skills
  • To follow instructions, and have a good eye for detail
  • Great teamwork skills to work well with others
  • Are able to use your initiative once you are trained
  • Great communication skills and a willingness to learn

A minimum of grade 4 (formerly C Grade) in English & Maths (GCSE or equivalent) is often but not always required.