Overview

Automotive Refinishing is a significant sector within the automotive engineering industry, automotive refinishing covers the painting of cars, trucks, or other vehicles, partly or totally, and of single parts of vehicles, often after the completion of body repairs, this includes a wide range of skills, high standards and critical thinking and process applications.

When cars, vans, motorcycles and larger vehicles are damaged in accidents, they are taken to a body repair workshop. Some repairers will complete the process from start to finish and others will have specialised roles and work on one part of the repair process. Paint technicians are responsible for preparing and refinishing vehicles after the damage has been repaired or panels have been replaced. This will include repairing minor scratches to match the rest of the vehicle.

See how Nathan’s career has developed through competing.

The skills you need to demonstrate

  • Collect, analyse, and organise information

  • Communicate ideas and information

  • Plan and organise work activities

  • Use mathematical ideas and techniques

  • Solve problems

  • Use current technology

  • Comply with H&S legislation

Entry criteria

  • This is an individual competition.

  • Competitors must be working towards a Level 3 qualification or have qualified no more than 12 months previous to competition registration opening.

  • There is no limit to the number of competitors permitted to enter this competition per organisation.

How it works

Our competitions are open to all so please register between 27 February – 24 March 2023

The first stage of competition is a remote or online test (where applicable)

The Refinishing National Qualifier takes place in May at 3M’s Automotive Refinish Centre (ARC) in Atherstone, for a one-day competition consisting of five practical tasks: one of 2 hours duration and four of 45 minutes duration, task on selected refinishing skill areas.

Scores are quality assured and Finalists are announced

Competitors prepare and practise in readiness for the National Finals

The Finalists come together to compete in the National Finals

Competitors who are age eligible and have achieved the benchmark score will be invited to opt into Squad UK during December 2022 for the WorldSkills Lyon 2024 cycle

Our gallery

Contact details

Kickstart a career in Automotive Refinishing

If you’re interested in Automotive Refinishing then visit our Careers pages to learn more.

Learn more about this career
Photo of automotive refinishing using buffer machine on car surface

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