Certificate in Motor Body Technology

Nick Fong switched from being a mechanic to a panel beater to follow his passion of making damaged cars look as good as new. Picture / Graeme Sedal

THE QUALIFICATION

What: Certificate in Motor Body Technology Level 3
Where: Manukau Institute of Technology
Phone: 0800 62 62 52 or 09 968 8000
Email: info@manukau.ac.nz
Web: Manukau Institute of Technology
Course costs: $4295 (2006)
Pay: Starting hourly rate: $10 - $15. Once qualified $20 an hour or more


THE JOB

Resurrecting damaged cars to their former glory is becoming an increasingly sophisticated job for panelbeaters as manufacturers improve the sophistication of the materials used in vehicles.

Wannabe panelbeaters can start learning through Manukau Institute of Technology, one of four panelbeating training providers in the country.

The one year full time course has a practical focus. Students spend three days on campus. Monday is devoted to theory, with Tuesday and Wednesday in workshop practice. Thursday and Friday are spent in work experience at panelbeating shops.

The course covers 26 units of learning such as health and safety, body work construction, preparing plastic bumpers and stripping cars without damaging parts. Welding is a critical part of the course.

Applicants need at least two years full time secondary education behind them. All are personally interviewed by tutors looking for a tidy appearance, punctuality, civility and interest in panelbeating. Applicants have to demonstrate their reading skills and are encouraged to talk about their panelbeating and automotive interests.

The course attracts a multi-cultural group of people. The few women that sign up do well.

The Department of Technology prefer to have applications in by early November but will interview into January if there are still spaces on the course. There is space for around 22 students per course.


THE GRADUATE

Nick Fong, panelbeating apprentice
Age: 23
Employer: Ray Haslar Autohaus

I finished the course in November 2005 and started my apprenticeship at Ray Haslar at the beginning of this year.

The course included two days work experience, which I did here. It wasn't hard finding work experience because a lot of businesses ring up looking for students.

Before this I had done an automotive course and was working in a garage next to a panelbeating shop. Panelbeating looked much more interesting so I went back to MIT and did the panelbeating course. Yep, I racked up quite a student loan but I'm glad I made the change.

I really like the challenge of getting a car back to its original condition - as good as new.

We work on top European cars, such as Porsches and BMWs, and I do basic stuff like fitting and removing bumpers and making small repairs to them.

The thing that stood out about the course was that it gave me all the start up knowledge I needed for this apprenticeship, like how things come apart and what things are. We also learned different ways to weld; we did a lot of welding. The tutors also created a happy learning environment.

By doing the one year course I've cut off about a year of my apprenticeship. I've got two to three years to go as long as I keep on top of the theory.

Now I'm doing the apprenticeship I get theory booklets to work on in my own time. I try and do a couple of hours two or three times a week. The apprenticeship coordinators come every 12 weeks to check how things are going.

I was keen to work here because while I was here doing work experience the guys were really helpful, showing me how to do things if I got stuck so it was a good environment.

I'm learning every day because there is always something new to work on and solve.


THE EMPLOYER

Wayne James
Manager, Ray Haslar Autohaus

We do a wide range of work here, from small repairs to major accidents and we specialise in European cars.

Nick is the third apprentice we've taken from the course. I want apprentices that are punctual, keen on the trade and willing to learn, listen and not backchat. Nick is a good worker and keen to learn.

The course is good because it teaches them about panelbeating so when they arrive they can already do small basic repairs. So they are earning their wages from the first day.

The work experience component is good and shows them what is expected in the shop.

The apprentices do unit standards through booklets. I sign these off when I think they are capable of doing it and the coordinator checks his progress. For example, Nick might do a job cutting and welding on a back guard. I sign that unit standard off, put the job number by it and take photos of it. Or I might sign a welding unit off, then the coordinator might come along and get Nick to demonstrate he can do it.