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Useful experience for collision repair technicians includes:

• experience with, and passion for, vehicles
• spray painting
• welding
• work in an automotive industry trade such as automotive engineering
• car grooming
• metal fabrication or car restoration
• sheet metal work.

Collision repair technicians may do some or all of the following:

• talk to customers about vehicle repairs, and estimate costs
• remove and replace parts to access repairs, or to allow for painting
• align and reshape damaged panels and frames
• carry out structural repairs using a chassis machine and 3D measuring equipment
• replace sections of vehicles and weld in replacements following manufacturers' instructions
• repair rust
• sand and prepare panels and parts for spray painting
• spray paint panels.

More cars means higher demand for collision repair technicians

Demand for collision repair technicians is expected to grow due to:

• an increase in car ownership rates and in crashes, which then require the services of collision repair technicians
• not enough people completing apprenticeships in collision repair. 

There aren't enough collision repair technicians to meet demand and employers find it difficult to get staff.

As a result, panelbeater (collision repair technician) will appear on Immigration New Zealand's Green List from March 2024. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled collision repair technicians from overseas to work in New Zealand.

According to the Census, 3,111 collision repair technicians worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Types of employers varied

Most collision repair technicians work for:

• specialised collision repair workshops
• general automotive workshops that deal with cars, boats and trucks
• motor vehicle dealerships such as Ford or Toyota.

About 17% of collision repair technicians are self-employed, and 11% employ other staff.

MITO

0800 882 121 - www.mito.org.nz

Collision repair technicians may progress to set up their own business, or become assessors, tutors, or estimators.

Some collision repair technicians specialise in a particular aspect of the job, such as body work or painting.

Collision repair technicians need to be:

• motivated, responsible and honest
• careful, patient and accurate, with an eye for detail
• able to follow instructions and ask questions
• able to work independently
• good at problem solving and basic maths.