Finding Auto Body Technicians for a body shop is challenging as there are fewer young people entering the field. One reason is because those young people who go to school often aren't hired for more than light hit body men, because shop owners know the capabilities of recent graduates. However, there are ways to come out better prepared and pay the dues needed to become a full fledged journeyman.
Instructions
1. Enroll in the high school class that will get you an internship at a body shop. Be prepared that you will not be put to work on vehicles. Be sure that your instructor makes it clear that you are there to work on the vehicles not just act a porter or car washer during the times you are site.
2. Ask for a job after school moving vehicles and washing cars. The time you spend detailing cars will give you a new respect for masking off your journeyman work. It will also make you pay attention to how vehicles are put together. It will teach you attention to detail, a skill you will need for working on vehicles. Also, it will allow your coworkers to watch you. They will put their time and energy into training a person that is a hard worker and someone that they like. You will earn their respect as you work hard to make the job come together.
3. Over time you most likely will get more responsibilities such as replacing rear view mirrors, back panels, and other small pieces of work. This is the beginning of light technician work. You will slow every job down as you learn, but most technicians remember how hard it was for them the first times. Find the ones who are willing to let you slow them down in return for speeding them up by taking on some of the work for them. Sooner or later people will take the time to teach you.
4. Take any I-Car classes the owners tell you about, or request information from the human resources person concerning I-car classes. Keep track of your records and be prepared to present them if you seek employment in the future elsewhere. Gold I-Car educated employees are an asset to any business and employers are glad to see you have kept up on the latest in your industry.
5. Ask the owner about any additional training he/she can get you into. This includes frame rack training that is provided on site by frame rack trainers. Ask the body men if you can watch as they set up vehicles, and use your federally mandated breaks to do so. Then if you have the money or financial backing to go to school, consider it. However, it is not necessary if you already have a staff willing to train you.
Tags: Auto Body, body shop, frame rack, that will, work vehicles, work will
