Engineering and manufacturing
Accident repair technician
Rectification of damaged vehicles using a range of engineering, electrical, constructional, and refinishing techniques.
Summary
This occupation is found in the automotive sector.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to repair a motor vehicle after it has sustained some type of collision damage. This can range from small damage to moderate impacted damage requiring complex and detailed repair or replacement of damaged elements of the vehicle. The types of vehicles can include a broad range of vehicles from cars and car derived vans to light commercial vehicles. Technicians will work on and obtain a level of competence in all craft aspects of vehicle accident repair, including Mechanical, Electrical and Trim (MET), non-structural panel repair, structural panel repair and replacement, and preparation and paint. They will also have an awareness of electric and hybrid vehicles to maintain levels of safety throughout the repair, including an understanding of environmental impacts and considerations. They will have a good understanding of vehicle Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and also have the ability to check if these systems have been compromised by an accident circumstance. The accident repair technician will be able to obtain, interpret and work accurately to complex technical repair specifications and instructions. An accident repair technician has the ability to work in a focused, analytical and methodical fashion, completing repairs on time, with a right-first-time, customer focused culture under-pinning all their activities.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with colleagues within the workshop as well as other internal and external stakeholders, such as suppliers. The accident repair technician embraces the need to put complete customer satisfaction and commercial awareness, at the centre of everything they do. The ability to excel whilst working within a team is a key output for any accident repair technician. Typically, the accident repair technician works in a modern, highly technologically advanced, workshop environment.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for returning vehicles in a safe manner to pre-accident condition using work instructions and according to manufacturer standards. They will check parts against work instructions, ordering and receiving parts to enable repair. They will prepare vehicles for accident repair including ensuring they are safe and will communicate any additional repair requirements. Technicians should be able to communicate with line supervisors any challenges or issues that could prevent work of a lower calibre than the customers' expectations from being completed or result in a change to the scheduled completion time.
Typical job titles include
- Accident repair technician | Bodyshop technician | Cosmetic repairer | Crash repair technician | Met technician | Multi-skilled technician | Paint technician | Panel beater | Panel technician (panel beater) | Vehicle body repairer
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
Awareness of health and safety regulations, relevance to the occupation and the technician's responsibilities: CDM regulations, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Display Screen Equipment (DSE), due diligence, electrical safety and compliance, emergency evacuation procedures, Health and Safety at Work Act – responsibilities, isolation and emergency stop procedures, Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), lone working, management systems of occupational health and safety, manual handling, near miss reporting, noise regulations, Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), risk assessments, safe systems of work, safety equipment: guards, signage, fire extinguishers, situational awareness, slips, trips and falls, types of hazards, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), working at height, working in confined spaces.
K2:
Types of incidents: fire, accidents, types of near misses. Mitigation methods.
K3:
Principles of vehicle crash mitigation.
K4:
Limits of autonomy and reporting channels. Different teams and functions involved in operation and interdependencies. The types of automotive, motorsport, supply chain and logistics organisations within the accident repair sector.
K5:
Business operation considerations: efficiency principles, customer satisfaction, competitiveness, minimising risks to operation, and ethical issues.
K6:
Principles of sustainability and circular economy. Energy efficiency and reuse of materials. Recycling procedures. Principles of control and management of emissions and waste. Efficient use of resources and materials used in vehicle construction, and how this links to climate change, carbon emissions and exploitative labour practices.
K7:
Tools and equipment: operating standards and equipment set points. Requirements for maintenance, carriage and storage, and calibrated equipment. Calibration certificates.
K8:
Planning, prioritising, work scheduling, workflow and time management techniques.
K9:
Problem solving techniques: diagnostics, root cause analysis, for example 6 thinking hats, DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control), PDCA (Plan Do Check Act).
K10:
Types of internal combustion engine. Principles of how internal combustion engines and propulsion systems function.
K11:
Principles of how electric, hydrogen and hybrid vehicles function.
K12:
Principles of how sub-systems of lubrication, cooling, fuel, ignition, intake, and exhaust systems operate.
K13:
Principles of electrical and wiring diagrams. How to interpret these diagrams.
K14:
Principles of how transmission, driveline and final drive systems operate.
K15:
Operation and function of vehicle suspension, steering, brakes, wheels, and tyre size and purpose.
K16:
Principles of vehicle electrical systems, electrical layouts and electrical system uses. In Car Entertainment (ICE), remote use and radar.
K17:
The principles and techniques of how to join materials effectively using mechanical joining techniques and non-mechanical joining techniques (bonding and adhesives procedures).
K18:
Types of body filler and foundation materials used on differing substrates within the accident repair sector, and their various uses and applications.
K19:
How to determine manufacturers' technical repair specifications.
K20:
Repair types: selection, processes, techniques and products. Standard operating procedures and manufacturers guidelines.
K21:
Vehicle parts: installation, commissioning and decommissioning practices and techniques.
K22:
Safe working practices and techniques when repairing vehicles.
K23:
Preparation techniques required for different materials and surfaces relating to body work and trim, smart repair technologies, including Paintless Dent Removal (PDR).
K24:
Principles and techniques of applying topcoats and clear coats including composition of the paint.
K25:
Paint refinishing. Application processes and procedures.
K26:
Verbal communication techniques. Giving and receiving information. Matching style to audience. Barriers in communication and how to overcome them.
K27:
Written communication techniques. Plain English principles. Report writing.
K28:
Non-verbal communication techniques: gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, eye contact, body language.
K29:
Information technology and digital: digital interfaces, Management Information Systems (MIS), communication methods, work collaboration platforms. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Cyber security.
K30:
Documentation methods and requirements including electronic and paper based.
K31:
Equality Act. Equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. Unconscious bias.
K32:
Principles of continuous improvement.
K33:
Stock requirements. Control systems. Stock considerations: availability, stock lead times, stock value, faulty stock, salvageability of parts removed.
K34:
Principles and techniques of applying paint, primer and base coats.
K35:
Principles and techniques of removing, repairing and replacing non-structural body panels.
K36:
Principles and techniques of removing and refitting trim components.
K37:
Principles and techniques of repairing and refurbishing trim components.
K38:
Principles and techniques of identifying and rectifying vehicle body misalignment.
K39:
Principles and techniques of testing the function of repaired, fitted and associate components.
K40:
Principles and techniques of rectifying wheel misalignment including two-wheel and four-wheel.
K41:
Principles and techniques of diagnosing, removing, replacing and recalibrating Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and components.
K42:
Principles and techniques of removing damaged and associated mechanical components from a vehicle.
K43:
Principles and techniques of re-assembling and replacing existing mechanical components to a vehicle.
K44:
Principles and techniques of operating electrical and electronic control systems.
K45:
Principles and techniques of diagnosing and rectifying vehicle electrical faults.
K46:
Principles of current and emerging vehicle technology including digital colour-matching systems and automated spray booths enhance precision. Virtual reality (VR) and 3D scanning for damage assessment.
Technical Educational Products
- ST0352: Accident repair technician (Level 3) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0352
- Status:
Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £31,360 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5232 Vehicle body builders and repairers
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5232/00 Vehicle body builders and repairers
- 5231/99 Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians n.e.c.
- 5233/00 Vehicle paint technicians
S1:
Identify and apply techniques to document hazards and risks in the workplace. Apply control measures.
S2:
Apply health and safety procedures and safe systems of work in compliance with regulations and standards.
S3:
Apply techniques to plan work activities.
S4:
Identify and apply techniques to organise and use resources with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
S5:
Apply sustainability principles.
S6:
Read and interpret information. For example, text, data, engineering drawings, job card, work instructions, risk assessments, method statements, operation manuals, permits to work, instructions.
S7:
Apply continuous improvement techniques.
S8:
Apply techniques to record or enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements.
S9:
Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
S10:
Apply techniques to test the function of repaired, fitted and associate components.
S11:
Applies stock control techniques to check, replenish and complete returns.
S12:
Identify and apply techniques to resolve problems encountered during the accident repair process.
S13:
Apply techniques to report issues and problems which cannot be resolved.
S14:
Apply techniques to operate electrical and electronic control systems such as programmable logic control systems, electrical and electronic relay systems, and electronic drive systems.
S15:
Use diagnostic tools for fault finding, such as multi-meters and electronic diagnostic tools.
S16:
Apply techniques to remove damaged and associated mechanical components from a vehicle.
S17:
Apply techniques to re-assemble and replace existing mechanical components to a vehicle.
S18:
Apply techniques to remove and refit trim components.
S19:
Apply techniques to fit electrical components and systems.
S20:
Diagnose and apply techniques to rectify vehicle electrical faults.
S21:
Apply techniques to diagnose, remove, replace and recalibrate Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) systems and components.
S22:
Apply techniques to remove, repair and replace non-structural body panels.
S23:
Apply techniques to repair and refurbish trim components.
S24:
Apply techniques to remove, repair and replace structural body panels excluding chassis legs and related components.
S25:
Apply techniques to identify and rectify vehicle body misalignment.
S26:
Apply body filler and foundation materials.
S27:
Apply techniques to prepare and refinish metal, plastic, and pre-painted surfaces.
S28:
Apply paint, primer, and base coats.
S29:
Apply topcoats and clear coats. Complete final refinishing operations.
S30:
Identify and apply techniques to rectify paint and preparation defects including smart repair technologies, and Paintless Dent Removal (PDR).
S31:
Apply equity, diversity and inclusion principles.
S32:
Apply mechanical and non-mechanical joining techniques.
S33:
Apply techniques to record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
S34:
Communicate in writing.
S35:
Identify and apply techniques to rectify wheel misalignment (two-wheel and four-wheel).
Technical Educational Products
- ST0352: Accident repair technician (Level 3) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0352
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £31,360 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5232 Vehicle body builders and repairers
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5232/00 Vehicle body builders and repairers
- 5231/99 Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians n.e.c.
- 5233/00 Vehicle paint technicians
B1:
Support social inclusion in the workplace with colleagues, stakeholders, and customers.
B2:
Respond and adapt to changing work demands and situations.
B3:
Take responsibility for completing work.
B4:
Take personal responsibility for and promote sustainable working practices.
B5:
Prioritise health and safety.
B6:
Committed to continued professional development (CPD) to maintain and enhance competence in their own area of practice.
B7:
Act professionally.
Technical Educational Products
- ST0352: Accident repair technician (Level 3) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0352
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £31,360 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5232 Vehicle body builders and repairers
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5232/00 Vehicle body builders and repairers
- 5231/99 Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians n.e.c.
- 5233/00 Vehicle paint technicians
