#MotorCareers in Accident Repair

What happens to your vehicle after an accident? How do those dents get removed and who can fix those scratches on your car? Find out who fixes your vehicle after an accident at Rye Street Group in Bishops Stortford.

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  • Accounts Staff

    What is the job role?

    Accounts staff usually work as part of a team, with specific individuals responsible for particular areas of accounting.

    All businesses need accounts staff to process and monitor payments coming into and going out of the business. The team will be responsible for managing all financial aspects of the business dealing with financial outgoings, such as payroll, or incoming payments.

    The duties will vary depending on the role but may include:

    • Processing payments
    • Tracking invoices
    • Compiling payroll data
    • Reviewing all payments and receipts on a daily basis

    Qualifications

    You will need to have a genuine interest in accounts and business related work, and you may wish to consider applying for apprentice/traineeship schemes.

    As part of the accounts team you would need to hold qualifications in maths and English, demonstrate good IT and problem solving skills, have strong organisational skills and a good eye for detail.

    Working hours and salary

    Your salary as a newly qualified Accounts Assistant may range from £16,000 to £22,000 depending on the size and type of employer and your responsibilities within the organisation.

    Career Progession

    You may wish to study further to achieve an accounting qualification.  Together with your experience it may assist you to progress to a senior accounts role or to become a Finance or Accounts Manager earning up to £40,000.

  • Administration

    What is the job role?

    General administrators will support the general manager/dealer principal, the sales department, the service department or the parts department in performing routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, providing information to customers and maintaining electronic and other files.

    Responsibilities may vary depending on the employer but duties usually include:

    • Greeting visitors and handling their enquiries
    • Organising meetings and making travel arrangements for office personnel
    • Opening, reading and distributing incoming mail
    • Setting up and maintaining paper and electronic filing systems for records purposes
    • Assisting the general manager/dealer principal in additional assigned duties
    • Maintaining sales and performance records

    Qualifications

    There are no formal qualifications or entry routes specified for this role, however employers usually look for good GCSEs/Standard Grades in English, Maths and IT. You may also be able to get into this job via a Business & Administration or Customer Service apprenticeship or full time study at college.

    As part of the administration team you would need to demonstrate good IT skills, strong organisational skills, excellent written and verbal communication and an understanding of customer service.

    Working hours and salary

    You will normally work from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and part time work is often also available in an Administration role. You will be office based and as an apprentice earn £6,000 to £8,000. Once qualified you can expect to earn £10,000 to £16,000 and with more experience increase to £17,000 or more.

    Career Progession

    An administrator can progress to a more senior administration role or Office Manager earning between £24,000 to £33,000.

  • Body Repair (Panel Technician)

    What is the job role?

    When cars, vans, motorcycles and larger vehicles are damaged in accidents, they are taken to a body repair workshop. Some repairers will complete the process from start to finish and others will have specialised roles and work on one part of the repair process. Panel technicians, also known as panel beaters or body repair technicians, specialise in repairing or replacing damaged panels. As a panel technician you will need to demonstrate: Strong communication skills, The ability to work alone and as part of a team, The ability to maintain quality under pressure and an awareness of safety procedures

    Qualifications

    You will need to have a good understanding of vehicle body and repair operations; you will be expected to be trained in body and paint operations in refinishing at level 2 for this level of work. You will need to have a good understanding of automotive systems and the specific materials required for a variety of repairs.

    IMI Level 1 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair (theimi.org.uk)

    Working hours and salary

    You will normally work from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday; however, you may be able to work overtime in the evenings and at weekends. You will usually work indoors in workshops or body shops and you will be expected to wear safety clothing when using specialised equipment and carrying out tasks such as welding. As a trainee panel technician you may earn between £7,000-£13,000 per year, Once you are qualified you may expect to earn £19,000 or more and Experienced motor vehicle professionals can earn up to £30,000.

    Career Progression

    Body repair technicians could build to a career in Body Shop Management earning up to £35,000 a year.

  • Body Shop Manager

    What is the job role?

    Bodyshop managers are responsible for the smooth running of all aspects of vehicle repairs. They will oversee all specialist areas and ensure that repairs are being carried out as effectively and promptly as possible. As a bodyshop manager you will need to demonstrate: Strong management and leadership skills, Good communication and organisational skills, The ability to work under pressure, Problem solving skills and The ability to work as part of a team and on your own initiative.

    Qualifications

    Level 4 in Automotive Management.

    Working hours and salary

    You will be largely office based within a bodyshop environment and will be expected to go out onto the shop floor when needed. You will work Monday to Friday, and the occasional Saturday depending on how busy the shop floor is; you can expect to work between 37-40 hours per week. You can expect to earn between £25,000-£35,000

    Progression to:

    Body Shop Managers could also look for a career as an Automotive Trainer with average earnings of £35,000

  • Mechanical and Electrical Trim Technician

    What is the job role?

    Mechanical and electrical trim technicians (MET) are responsible for identifying damaged mechanical and electrical components on vehicles and removing and refitting before and after the vehicle is refinished. As a mechanical and electrical trim technician you will need to demonstrate: The ability to use specialised equipment, The ability to work as part of a team and on your own initiative, Good communication skills, An awareness of safety procedures and the ability to follow written and verbal instructions.

    Qualifications

    You will need to be trained in vehicle body and paint operations mechanical and electrical trim/body fitting. There are a range of qualifications you can study that will give you the underpinning knowledge and skills required to carry out the job.

    Level 2 Vehicle Accident Repair Body – Mechanical, Electrical and Trim (MET principles).

    Working hours and salary

    You will normally work from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday; however, you may be able to work overtime in the evenings and at weekends. You will usually work indoors in workshops or body shops and you will be expected to wear safety clothing when using specialised equipment and carrying out certain tasks. As a trainee MET/body fitting technician you may earn between £7,000-£13,000 per year and once qualified you may expect to earn £19,000 or more
    Experienced motor vehicle professionals can earn up to £30,000

    Progression to:

    You could build your career to become a Body Shop Manager or Automotive Trainer earning an average annual salary of £35,000.

  • Refinishing Technician (Paint Technician)

    What is the job role?

    When cars, vans, motorcycles and larger vehicles are damaged in accidents, they are taken to a body repair workshop. Some repairers will complete the process from start to finish and others will have specialised roles and work on one part of the repair process. Paint technicians are responsible for preparing vehicles to be painted after damage has occurred or panels have been replaced. This will include repairing minor scratches to match the rest of the vehicle. As a paint technician you will need to demonstrate: Strong communication skills, The ability to work alone and as part of a team, The ability to maintain quality under pressure, An awareness of safety procedures, The ability to use specialist equipment, The ability to follow written and verbal instructions, Good manual skills and a good eye for detail and colour.

    Qualifications

    You will need to have a good understanding of vehicle body and repair operations; you will be expected to be trained in body and paint operations in refinishing at level 2 for this work. There are a range of qualifications such as N/SVQs and VRQs in vehicle body and paint operations in refinishing. You will need to have a good understanding of automotive systems and the specific materials required for the repair process.

    Qualifications:

    IMI Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Paint Principles (VRQ) (theimi.org.uk)

    Apprenticeship standards :

    IMI Level 2 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Paint Competence (theimi.org.uk)

    IMI Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Paint Competence (theimi.org.uk)

    Working hours and salary

    You will normally work from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday; however, you may be able to work overtime in the evenings and at weekends. You will usually work indoors in workshops or body shops and you will be expected to wear safety clothing when using specialised equipment and carrying out certain tasks. As a trainee paint technician you may earn between £7,000-£13,000 per year, Once you are qualified you may expect to earn £19,000 or more and an Experienced motor vehicle professionals can earn up to £30,000

    Progression to:

    Senior Refinishing Technicians can earn around £30,000 per year.

  • Restoration Technician

    What is the job role?

    Restoration technicians specialise in restoring badly damaged vehicles to a well presented and usable state. Some technicians may specialise in restoring vintage vehicles. As a restoration technician you will need to demonstrate: Strong communication skills, The ability to work alone and as part of a team, The ability to maintain quality under pressure, An awareness of safety procedures, The ability to use specialist equipment, An ability to follow written and verbal instructions, Good manual skills and a good eye for detail and colour.

    Qualifications

    You will need to have a good understanding of vehicle body and repair operations; you will be expected to be trained in body and paint operations in refinishing at level 2 for this level of work. There are a range of qualifications such as N/SVQs and VRQs in vehicle body and paint operations in refinishing.  You will also need to have a good understanding of automotive systems and the specific materials required for the restoration process.

    Qualifications:

    IMI Level 3 Diploma In Classic Vehicle Restoration Competence (QCF) (theimi.org.uk)

    IMI Level 2 Diploma in Classic Vehicle Restoration Competence (theimi.org.uk)

     

    Working hours and salary

    You will normally work from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday; however, you may be able to work overtime in the evenings and at weekends. You will usually work indoors in workshops or bodyshops and will be expected to wear safety clothing when using specialised equipment and carrying out tasks such as welding. As a trainee restoration technician you may earn between £7,000-£13,000 per year, Once you are qualified you may expect to earn £19,000 or more and as an Experienced motor vehicle professionals can earn up to £30,000

    Progression to:

    Senior Paint or Panel Technician can earn around £30,000 per year.

  • Vehicle Damage Assessor

    What is the job role?

    Vehicle damage assessors are responsible for assessing the level and extent of damage to vehicles following accidents. They determine if the vehicle can be repaired and the work that needs to be carried out in order to repair it. As a vehicle insurance assessor you will need to demonstrate: The ability to keep up to date with developments in engine and electrical technologies, Strong communication skills, Good time management skills and the ability to work on your own.

    Qualifications

    You would normally progress into this role from a body shop background and have a good understanding of all of the processes and stages of vehicle repair. Some employers may expect you to have qualifications in management and leadership.

    Working hours and salary

    Vehicle damage assessors normally work around 40 hours per week from Monday to Friday. You would be based in a garage or workshop and may be out on the road travelling from place to place to assess damaged vehicles. A vehicle damage assessor may earn between £25,000-£35,000 depending on experience

    Progression to:

    A career in Automotive Training could earn on average £35,000 a year.

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