Vehicle Body Builder
Build custom bodies for trucks and other large vehicles.
Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right now
Job growth
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5-year projection
Salary
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Typical salary
Job satisfaction
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Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right now
Salary
-
Typical salary
Job growth
-
5-year projection
Job satisfaction
-
What's it like to be a Vehicle Body Builder?
Vehicle Body Builders fabricate and install custom bodies onto the chassis of a variety of heavy vehicles. They build bodies for trucks, vans, coaches, buses, caravans, trailers, refrigerated vehicles, horse floats, fire trucks and specialised vehicles used by the police and security organisations.
Tasks and duties
- Interpreting drawings, specifications and engineering plans.
- Fabricating sections and components from sheet metal, pipes, wood, fibreglass and other materials.
- Welding, screwing, riveting and bolting components together to form finished products.
- Cutting, shaping and grinding sheet metal and plastic to create panels.
- Attaching axles, suspension assemblies, steering columns and brakes.
- Cutting vinyl, fabric and leather to size and stitching together using industrial sewing machines to form coverings for vehicle interior.
- Installing components and trim such as door handles, locks, hinges, armrests, floor coverings and linings.
- Carrying out alterations to chassis in accordance with engineering specifications.
- Fitting mechanical components such as winches, cranes and hoists.
Vehicle Body Builders enjoy working with their hands and have an interest in fabrication and an eye for detail. They typically work in workshops and repair shops and are employed by organisations in the Automotive Trades and Transport industries or may run their own business.
How to become a Vehicle Body Builder
It is possible to become a Vehicle Body Builder without qualifications, but a Vocational Education and Training (VET) certification will provide you with the relevant knowledge and skills to get your career started.
- Complete the Certificate III in Automotive Manufacturing Technical Operations - Bus, Truck and Trailer (AUM30218).
- Hold a current driver’s licence.
- Search for employment opportunities including traineeships.
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Latest Vehicle Body Builder jobs on SEEK
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Skills and experience employers are looking for
Having the right skills and experience can make you an in-demand applicant. Vehicle Body Builder employers on SEEK are looking for job seekers with expertise in the following areas.
Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data
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Latest Vehicle Body Builder reviews
Sep 2019
Reviewer's Qualification
Certificate IV in Automotive Manufacturing
Experience
10+ years
Organisation size
Small (1-19 employees)
Specialisation
Truck body builder
The good things
Having been the only qualified female welder in nearly every workplace I have worked in has been challenging at times. There is still a stigma attached that it is not the environment for a woman and ...
The challenges
You need to be head strong. There are physical and psychological challenges as with any job. Proving to other people that you are just as capable of performing a task as the next person can create s...
Read more
Aug 2019
Reviewer's Qualification
Certificate III in Automotive Vehicle Body
Experience
1 – 4 years
Organisation size
Medium (20-199 employees)
Specialisation
Vehicle body building
The good things
Great variety of work,flexibility of hours of work and a vast opportunity with advancement within the trade
The challenges
Huge variations within the qualification itself,from welding to fiberglass work
Read more
Source: SEEK role reviews
SEEK has not verified the truth or accuracy of these comments and does not adopt or endorse any of the comments posted on this page.SEEK collects and posts the comments for what they are worth and for information purposes only to assist candidates to find employment through seek.com.au
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