Vehicle body repairer

On a typical day you could:

• assess damage and decide how to repair it
• remove damaged panels or parts for repair
• smooth out minor dents in panels
• fill small holes or rusted areas with filler
• make body panels and sections, and weld them into place
• refinish the repair to match surrounding areas
• keep a record of all work completed to show customers

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• persistence and determination
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to repair machines or systems
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

With experience, you could become a lead fitter or technician, or move into supervisory and body-shop management positions in larger firms. You could also work as a vehicle damage assessor for a repair workshop or an insurance firm.

You could also set up your own business and move into mobile repair.