Course Spotlight – Vehicle Body Repair and Painting
The Automotive Engineering Department offers challenging and rewarding opportunities for individuals wishing to pursue a career in the motor vehicle service and repair industry. Our Body Repair facilities provide students with an excellent environment working on real-life vehicles to mirror current industry practice. The area has seen significant investment and updating of equipment which means students can practice the skills at the same level of facilities they would find in commercial companies. Lecturer, Norman Brunton, tells us a bit more about what you can expect when studying at Perth College UHI.
What vehicle body repair and painting courses are on offer?
Access to Vehicle Body and Paint Maintenance: Level 4 (3902-72)
This course is aimed at young school leavers, and those with no experience of the body repair and paint industry. The course is mainly practically based with an emphasis on health and safety - including MIG welding; body panel removal and replacement; repair of metal and plastic panels; and paint repair and paint techniques.
Diploma in Accident Repair Body Principles: Level 5 (4391-12)
This course is a Level 5 diploma in all aspects of body repair and panel replacement - including MIG Welding and resistance spot welding. It is a progression route from Access to Vehicle Body and Paint Maintenance. There are 7 online exams included in the course.
Diploma in Accident Repair Paint Principles: Level 5/6 (4391-22/23)
This course is a level 5/6 Diploma in all aspects of motor vehicle paint repair, with set tasks so each student can achieve the same end goal. It also includes some extra tasks to show the more creative side of paint, and where your skills in paint can take you. It is mainly practical based, with 12 online exams included in the course.
Diploma in Accident Repair Body Principles: Level 5/6 (4391-13)
This course is a Diploma Level 6 in all aspects of accident repair and alignment, and sectioning of structural panels. There are 4 online exams included in this course.
How is a typical week structured for a student?
This year will be slightly different, as all the theory sessions will be delivered online, but there will still be a big focus on the practical side of the course with as much workshop time as the timetable will allow: 2-3 days depending on how government guidelines change throughout the course of the year.
Do the students get to work on any interesting projects as part of their courses?
The Students have a project car that they all have a part in designing and painting each year. This year, my aim was to have two cars the same so that the students could be split into two groups and carry out the paint repairs required to the full vehicle, and decide on how the finished cars will look. Maybe even have the students and staff of Perth College UHI voting on their favourite car at the end of the year. Last year, we also helped the inspirational Fi Munro when her beloved campervan was vandalised. I think it’s important for the students to be involved in projects like this.
I’ve also been working on ‘motorbike helmet painting’ projects - originally this was for possible night classes, but for those students that wish to hone their skills and see what can be created with automotive paint and masking techniques. The helmets you see here were for a Scottish rider, Lewis Rollo. Lewis was kind enough to donate all his old racing helmets to Perth College UHI for the students to practice on. He is a young rider with a lot of talent, and it’s good for the students to be involved in projects like this and to see their work on TV. We were originally due to paint them as a class, but since lockdown we were unable to do so. I then designed and painted the helmets at my home workshop, taking photos at every step to show the students how the finished piece was created.
““I’m a 21 year old motorcycle racer from Haddington, East Lothian. I started racing when I was 5 years old, and I have worked my way up through the classes. I’m now competing in the British Stock 1000 championship for in competition Aprilia. We will hopefully be a championship contender for this year, and I really appreciate that Perth College UHI has been able to help with my helmets this season and be part of my journey.” ”
What can students in 2020-21 expect from their course?
This year’s course will still have a big focus on practical work, with small individual tasks and projects to start with. Then once the government guidelines relax, we can start the larger team projects.
On completion of their course, what type of jobs can our students apply for?
After completing this course, the students could go on to further their studies in body repair; progress to an apprenticeship; or go on to work for themselves. The college has strong links with local industry, so - if the students are progressing well with the course - then there are possible work placements that could lead to full-time employment. The extra creative side to paint that I try to introduce also shows the other avenues that the industry could take you. The skills we teach in Body Repair and Paint are transferrable to many other areas outside the motor vehicle industry.
