A Guide: Automotive Job Roles
There are a variety of job roles that make up the Automotive sector. These roles give the right candidates an excellent opportunity to work within a busy, modern and well equipped automotive Bodyshop. This includes but is not limited to:
Panel Beater
Panel beaters will be undertaking all aspects of panel repairs from light filler repairs through to reshaping panels ensuring the repairs are finished in a way that matches the rest of the vehicle’s bodywork. There is potential that you will need your own tools including dollies and hammers for this role.
Technician/Mechanic
As a technician you will be working on but not limited to servicing vehicles, clutch changes, checking cam belts, gear boxes, oil changes, break fluids, changing break discs, strip and fit, tyre changes and diagnostics. Occasionally, you will need your own tools however, this is not always the case.
Qualifications are often a requirement of the job role however, some companies will happily take you on if you are time served.
Click here to read our article on How To: Become a Mechanic
Prepper
A prepper will need to prepare the vehicle body for repair work and/or painting. Some of the responsibilities may involve removing all dirt from the surface and the parts due for paining, fine line filler work, sanding and masking. Aspects of this position involve being able to pay attention to detail whilst adhering to health and safety regulations. Depending on your experience you may also be required to undertake small filler repairs and prime the vehicles ready for paint.
Becoming a prepper is a great way to get your foot in the door for your Bodyshop carer as you can choose to become a painter, technician estimator, etc…
Painter
Vehicle Painters are also known as paint technicians or motor vehicle finishers.
As an automotive painter you will need to prepare your equipment and the body of the car. Vehicle Paint Sprayers are required to carry out the preparation on the vehicles by buffing, polishing and priming surfaces before spray painting. You might need to mix paints to get the right colour and consistency. You could be using water-based paints to spray the different body parts specified. You’ll also need to ensure there is no damage to the vehicle.
Polisher
A Vehicle Polisher will be responsible for the final polish of freshly painted vehicle panels on a range of vehicles. You will be rectifying any paint defects, such as runs in the paint. You will be polishing vehicle panels using a handheld polisher.
Masker
Maskers will be responsible for the masking and outlining vehicle panels as well as completing final preparation work on the vehicles prior to them being painted.
Trimmer
Vehicle trimmers will be responsible for ensuring any parts or panels that need to be removed as part of the repair process are removed correctly with all fixings being labelled and stored ready for when they are needed to be refitted to the vehicles. You will be removing interior and exterior parts from vehicles.
Before being able to do one of these roles you need to ensure that you have a great CV with all of the relevant details included.
Q&A - Drivers (Case 1)
We have asked our workers a few questions about the roles that they are in so you can hear their experiences and advice first-hand.
What is your job role?
HGV driver delivering & picking up goods.
What made you want to drive professionally?
To have the freedom to get out of a job indoors.
How long have you been driving professionally?
About 30 years.
What skills have you learnt from being a driver?
To try to drive safe.
Do you drive locally or is it mostly long distance?
Mostly longer distance driving.
How do you combat tiredness?
Try to get enough rest the night before & if possible, stop for 30 mins to rest.
What are your driver essentials?
Essentials are phone & charger, driving glasses, truckers Road atlas, bottle of water & food.
What are the best parts about being a driver?
Being your own boss up to a point.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking at starting a career in driving?
Drive safe & expect the worst from other vehicles!
World Mental Health Day 2021
World Mental Health Day is on the 10th October every year. This year the theme has been set by the World Federation for Mental Health. The theme is ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’.
To read more on the World Federation for Mental Health – Mental Health in an Unequal World theme, CLICK HERE.
According to Mind, ‘at least one in six workers are experiencing common mental health problems, including anxiety and depression’.
Here’s our top tips for staying well at work:
Take your lunch break!
CLICK HERE to read our article about why your lunch breaks are just as important as your work.
Create a ‘To Do’ list and clear your workspace
Organisation is key! A clear space equals a clear mind.
Keep your work life at work
Setting boundaries between your work life and your home life will help to relieve stress.
Ask for help
If you ever feel like you are struggling, talk to your friends, family, or employer. Good relationships are important for mental wellbeing.
Remember
You are not alone!
Donate to Mind – ‘Your donation could give someone hope and help them know they’re not alone’.
How To: Make the Most of Your Lunch Break
How To: Make the Most of Your Lunch Break
Breaks are important! Even a short break of 30 minutes can help you work more effectively throughout the day.
Totaljobs research shows that ‘More UK workers are skipping lunch – and paying the price’.
Here’s a few ways to ensure that you are making the most of your lunch break.
Eat
Don’t be that person that doesn’t eat their lunch because they want to look like a hard worker checking another task off their ‘to do’ list. Later in the day, you’ll start to lose concentration, feel lightheaded and will have gained a headache. Food fuels the body!
Eat your lunch away from your desk
Eating lunch away from your desk can help you be more productive, keep focused and be less stressed. Your lunch break is a time to get away from work. If you take your break at your desk, then all you will be thinking about is work!
Do some reading
Something that many of us wish we did more of is reading. Place yourself in a quiet place (this could be a quiet corner in the canteen, break room, outside or your car) and read a chapter or two.
Listen to a podcast
Podcasts come in all shapes and sizes. This could be anything from, educational, comedy, sports, crime stories, etc… Some people find it difficult to focus on a physical book so, another option is a podcast. You can just put your headphones in and listen.
Go for a walk
Walking is great for clearing your mind and lifting your mood! Not only are you clearing your mind but you’re moving your body which will help you feel less stressed. Being outdoors helps your body absorb vitamin D which can aid brain function and increase your energy levels.
COVID-19 Update
With COVID restrictions being lifted on the 19th of July, it means that we can start returning to some normality in our Head Office.
Whilst we are adjusting the office to allow for more people to return to work gradually, we are still encouraging social distancing, face coverings are optional when walking around the office and there are still hand sanitising stations around the office.
We are recommending that everyone does a lateral flow test twice a week so we can take all precautions possible to prevent spreading the virus. To order lateral flow test, CLICK HERE.
If anyone develops any symptoms of COVID-19 then we ask for them to get a PCR test and to stay at home until they receive their result. Once you receive the result, you must then follow the guidance that you have been given. If the result is positive, then you must self-isolate for 10 days from the date that the symptoms started.
What are the main symptoms of COVID-19?
– A high temperature
– A new, continuous cough
– A loss of sense of smell or taste
Timeline of events during COVID at Igloo:
23rd March 2020 – Our head office staff started working from home.
23rd April 2020 – Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
24th September 2020 – Our Director Dan and Uma from Compliance are showing their support by purchasing funky face masks where all donations go to the Air Ambulance. To make a donation, CLICK HERE.
15th February 2021 – Mike got to try out our new Igloo face masks.
