Are you looking to apply for a job as a Bodyshop - Body Repairer in Canada today? Find everything you need to know about this job, including the training requirements, work hours, duties, qualities, salary (for different provinces), career opportunities, and professional advancement. Discover all you need to become a successful Bodyshop - Body Repairer in your province today!

What is the definition of a Bodyshop - Body Repairer?

A Body Repairer, also known as an Auto Body Technician, is a professional who works in a body shop. This professional works by carrying out different functions, such as repairing, restoring, and refinishing vehicle bodies. They assist in fixing structural damage, replacing damaged parts, and restoring the vehicle's appearance. They carry out these job roles with the help of different tools and techniques, which are often acquired through on-the-job training.

What does a Bodyshop - Body Repairer's job involve?

The job of a body repairer in a body shop involves many things, depending on the nature of the job:

1. Damage Assessment—inspecting vehicles to better understand the extent of damage.

2. Body Repair—Fixing the damaged parts, including dents and scratches.

3. Frame Straightening—Restoring the damaged vehicle's frame to its original shape.

4. Reassembly—reinstallation of vehicle parts, ensuring everything aligns and functions properly.

5. Parts Replacement—replacing damaged parts, usually bumpers and panels, with new ones.

6. Quality assurance—inspection of repaired vehicles, ensuring they meet the industry's safety and quality standards.

7. Customer service—communicating with customers about repairs & estimates, and ensuring they're satisfied with the services rendered.

What is the salary of Bodyshop - Body Repairers in Canada?

The average salary for Bodyshop - Body Repairers in Canada is $58,500 per year. Entry-level roles get roughly $46,750 while the most experienced body repairers get up to $78,000 annually, depending on their job experience, qualifications, employer, and province.

That said, here are the average annual salaries of entry-level Bodyshop - Body Repairers in Canada, based on different provinces:

  • Alberta: $68,657 per year
  • British Columbia: $53,000 per year
  • Manitoba: $54,055 per year
  • New Brunswick: $59,536 per year
  • Newfoundland and Labrador: $47,334 per year
  • Nova Scotia: $52,302 per year
  • Ontario: $54,744 per year
  • Prince Edward Island: $46,777 per year
  • Quebec: $50,709 per year
  • Saskatchewan: $55,298 per year

What exactly are the social benefits of a Bodyshop - Body Repairer?

As a Bodyshop - Body Repairer, you stand to enjoy many social benefits in Canada, depending on your employer and province. These benefits include:

  • Health Insurance—This insurance covers for employee's medical, vision care, and dental care
  • Paid Time Off—this job offers employees paid Time off, such as vacation days, holidays, and sick leave
  • Workplace Safety—this job comes with compensation programs for work-related injuries
  • Training and Development—on-the-job training is offered by employers. This helps employees to improve their skills. Besides, this job also offers plenty of opportunities for professional growth

What training is required and what diploma is needed to become a Bodyshop - Body Repairer?

To become a Bodyshop - Body Repairer in Canada today, you certainly need to meet certain training and diploma requirements. These requirements vary from province to province but generally, having a high school diploma in automotive repair and completing a formal apprenticeship program may be beneficial.

That said, here are some crucial training requirements for becoming a Bodyshop - Body Repairer in different provinces:

  • Quebec—A secondary school diploma (DES) is crucial. Also, you need to obtain a diploma of vocational studies (DEP) in auto body repair (carrosserie) is important. Other things that may benefit job candidates include completion of an apprenticeship program that comes with on-the-job training and having a relevant auto certification from Emploi Québec.
  • Ontario—A high school diploma is important to becoming a Bodyshop - Body Repairer. You may also need to pass a certification exam to become a certified auto body repairer in Ontario. Having hands-on experience and a certificate in a formal apprenticeship program is crucial.
  • British Columbia—A minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent is required for entry-level roles. Having a Red Seal endorsement may be beneficial. You also need to complete a 4-year apprenticeship program, 7 weeks of technical training annually, and on-the-job training (6,420 accumulated hours).
  • Alberta—a minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalent is required. Having a Journeyperson Certification in Auto Body repair may be beneficial. Employees also need to complete a registered apprenticeship program and gain experience under supervision.
  • Atlantic Provinces—Having a high school diploma is crucial to becoming a Bodyshop - Body Repairer in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland & Labrador. In addition, the candidate needs to complete an apprenticeship program (3-4 years) with on-the-job training. Having a red seal certification may also be beneficial. In Nova Scotia, some employers often request a trade certification.

What exactly are the tasks and objectives of a Bodyshop - Body Repairer?

Below are the tasks and objectives of Bodyshop - Body Repairers in Canada today:

  • Damage assessment—inspecting vehicles to identify damaged parts that need repairs. This task also involves providing customers with estimates for repair costs and completion time.
  • Repair & restoration—removing damaged parts and replacing them with refurbished or new body parts. Fixing scratches, and dents, and ensuring car frames and chassis alignments are properly done.
  • Installation—employees help in installing new body parts, such as doors and bumpers. They also assist in installing new glass components.
  • Surface preparation—this includes sanding, painting, and priming the repaired body parts.
  • Quality control—ensuring all repairs are done according to industry regulatory standards.
  • Customer service—attending to customer concerns and explaining the repair processes and results to them.

What exactly are the working hours of a Bodyshop - Body Repairer?

The working hours of a Bodyshop - Body Repairer in Canada are between 8 AM to 5 PM (Mondays to Fridays). If need be, these employees may be required to work on Saturdays or for extended hours, depending on customer needs.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a Bodyshop - Body Repairer?

Working as a Bodyshop - Body Repairer has its pros and cons—they include:

Advantages:

  • High Demand—this job is available in high demand in most Canadian provinces.
  • This job offers employees plenty of opportunities to learn, master specialized skills, and become experienced auto body repairers.
  • Job Stability is another good reason why becoming a body repairer is worth it today.
  • This job also provides employees with the ability to open and run their local body shop.

Disadvantages:

  • This job is physically demanding.
  • It also comes with high health risks due to continuous exposure to different chemicals, noise, workplace injuries, and dust.
  • Employers are often expected to complete tasks under tight deadlines.
  • To stay relevant, employees need to focus on continuous education and acquire relevant certifications.

What are the qualities of a Bodyshop - Body Repairer?

A reliable Bodyshop - Body Repairer in Canada needs to possess the following qualities to become successful in this job:

  • Employees should be proficient in repairing, installing, and refinishing body parts.
  • Being attentive to details is crucial.
  • Being physically fit is crucial, as this job requires a certain level of manual labour, depending on the employee's position.
  • The employees need to have the ability to diagnose issues and provide lasting repair solutions.

What professional skills can a Bodyshop - Body Repairer acquire?

With the following professional skills, Bodyshop - Body Repairers in Canada can easily improve their quality of work:

  • Enrolling in programs to improve your auto body repair techniques is crucial.
  • On-the-job training to better understand how painting and refinishing of repaired vehicle parts work.
  • The ability to straighten bent panels is crucial.
  • Welding, diagnostic skills, customer service, and compliance are some other professional skills an employee needs to possess.

What exactly are the job prospects for a Bodyshop - Body Repairer?

This job has high demand across all provinces in Canada. As such, its prospects for Bodyshop Body Repairers are generally steady and favourable. It provides employees with many opportunities to advance their careers in automotive body repair shops, dealerships, and specialty shops.

What careers can a Bodyshop - Body Repairer pursue?

Bodyshop - Body Repairers can advance in their careers and become:

  • Master Technician
  • Service Manager
  • Shop Foreman
  • Start your auto repair shop

Auto-jobs.ca is the reference job board for Bodyshop - Body Repairers in Ontario, Quebec, and other provinces in Canada. You can take advantage of this page to get ads, which will help you get the most out of this job.

Visit Auto-jobs.ca today to better understand how to kickstart your career as a Bodyshop - Body Repairer.