Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of an auto body technician looks like? Most of the time is spent in the shop, but not all of it. While fixing collision damage and sanding might be a common part of daily life, a technician is also responsible for other things in their day-to-day professional lives. We pieced together some of what it looks like to work a day in an auto body shop like Downtown Autobody.
A technician’s day can vary, but throughout the week will be a combination of administrative work, shop work, and safety and/or training work. Administrative work includes those things required for certification or employment, or as part of an employment agreement. Shop work is time spent in the workshop, the bulk of a technician’s day, and safety/training work is time spent on, or learning about, safety and/or training of the technician or a new hire.
Throughout the day in the shop, a technician is expected to be able to handle a variety of repair processes. For example, a technician may be asked to remove the trim from a vehicle and to sand and fill in depressed areas. Modifications to a vehicle may call for a simple piece removal and replacement or might require custom fitting. Bigger projects involve modifications to the underlying frame pieces and large body components.
It is not uncommon for a technician to have to use a welder. There are often different responsibilities associated with a job: a technician might be asked to restore a vehicle as close to the factory as possible, or as close to some aftermarket state as possible. Ultimately the technician must also consider safety regulations and applicable laws.
Technicians are in high demand and can find their skills in need at a variety of different automotive industry locations. Independent auto body shops, such as Downtown Autobody in Rohnert Park, are often where the best and most talented technicians are found.
The barriers to entry into the auto body technician employment sector are relatively low compared to many other industries. Employment does not require extensive school programs, and many of the relevant skills are best learned on the job. Cars are also increasing in complexity, both inside and outside. All of this means it’s a great time to jump in if you’ve been considering a career in auto body work.
We hire the best and brightest technicians. If you think you have what it takes to join our team, call Downtown Autobody at 707-665-9100.