Where can it take me?

Panel beaters mainly work for crash repairers, service stations, new and used car dealers, and motor vehicle manufacturers. A few work for motor body builders on the construction of new body work. As a panel beater, there are opportunities for you to progress to supervisory and management positions, especially in larger organisations. Sales positions in industrial machinery and equipment are also career options, as well as becoming a loss assessor in the insurance industry. There’s also the option of establishing your own motor vehicle repair business.

What can I expect?

Working as a panel beater, you will be expected to undertake the following tasks:

• Remove damaged panels and components by unbolting or cutting them away
• Remove dents by hammering panels with panel beating tools
• Straighten badly damaged vehicles using mechanical hydraulic equipment to obtain door, boot and bonnet clearances
• Cut and join replacement sections or damaged panels using oxyacetylene and electric welding equipment
• Fill dents with plastic fillers, and file, grind and sand repaired surfaces using power and hand tools
• Fit the repaired panel on the framework of the vehicle and refit body hardware such as door locks and door trims
• Replace badly damaged sections with new or second-hand panels
• Realign chassis and body frames, and use chassis alignment machines and measuring systems
• Remove and replace accident-related mechanical items
• Remove and replace auto-electric components
• Help vehicle body builders to build and custom-design speciality or vintage vehicles
• Assist in spray painting vehicles

How can I get there?

Enter tomorrow by unlocking the door to your future today - ENQUIRE NOW for your position in the Automotive Program at Tec-NQ.