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As the name suggests, vehicle body builders manufacture the purpose built body that is fitted to the chassis (or frame) of vehicles. To complete the job, they also fit the required mechanical and operational components, such as an automatic door. Vehicle body builders are also heavily involved in the repair or modification of these vehicle bodies.
In this state, many of the bodies built or modified are for larger vehicles such as buses, trucks, coaches, semi-trailers, low loaders, caravans or other special purpose vehicles. However, some firms specialise in the production of light vans & trays.
Not So Clear Cut
When you or I think about how the bodies of cars are built, a huge assembly line probably springs to mind. Well, vehicle body builders don't work on vehicle bodies that are mass produced in this way. In the main, they work from engineers' drawings to produce purpose built vehicle bodies. However, they do modify such vehicles, turning them into ambulances for example.
Those who rise to supervisory positions are likely to oversee a workshop's operation, design and draw vehicle bodies, train apprentices, deal with customers, order in stock and parts, and prepare invoices for any completed work.
An Involved Process
A local supervisor, employed by a company that specialises in building bus and coach bodies, explains that vehicle body builders work primarily from those engineers' drawings. The construction of a bus usually takes between 10 and 12 weeks.
''First of all they set up bearers to support the floor of the vehicle. Then they put in the side frames, the roof, and the front and rear ends. Skinning, or the roof and side panelling, is then inserted before the bus is painted and the interior fit-out is then done.''
If you think that sounds too easy, let's take a closer look at what's involved. Vehicle body builders use materials such as steel, wood, plastic or aluminium to construct or modify a commercially built vehicle. Panels made out of these materials are used to cover the chassis, but first they have to be outlined on the particular material and then cut out using equipment such as a guillotine or oxy acetylene equipment. Vehicle body builders then weld, glue, bolt and rivet these materials together, and onto the chassis. Finally, they fit the suspension and braking systems, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, lighting and electrical systems, as well as the brakes, door handles, seats, locks and hinges.
Must Adhere To Quality Assurance Standards
While all of this is happening, a vehicle body builder supervisor checks the work and ensures that the vehicle's structure conforms to the highest safety and technical standards possible.
Because of the type of work they do, vehicle body builders need to have a sound understanding of mechanical engineering and good literacy skills so they can read and interpret an engineer's drawings. They also require a sound understanding of the metals and other materials used in the vehicle body building process. Manual dexterity (being good with your hands) and having an eye for detail are also important employment related qualities.
No Need For Many Words
The work environment in this occupation can be summed up as noisy. Vehicle body builders work in noisy workshops, using potentially dangerous equipment such as guillotines and torching devices, so they need to get used to wearing protective clothing and equipment, such as ear muffs.
In Western Australia, vehicle body builders and supervisors are mostly employed by transport equipment companies. Due to the range of skills that vehicle body builders develop, it is possible for them to move into other trade areas such as metal fabrication or welding. With experience, they can also move into supervisory positions.
An Industry On The Move
Employers suggest that there is a currently a very high demand for qualified vehicle body builders and an Automotive Training Australia (WA Inc) spokesperson says steady, medium-term employment growth is likely in this occupation.
''Ongoing upgrades of our roads and the mining boom has increased road transport usage, and the rise in tourism has contributed to the growing demand for transport vehicles of the sort built by vehicle body builders in Western Australia.''
The starting salary for qualified vehicle body builders is about $40,000 per year and this may go up to $50,000 for an experienced tradesperson. Vehicle body building supervisors can earn up to $60,000 per year, and those who run their own business may earn even more.
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