If you’re looking to Emigrate to Canada as a Panel Beater you’re in luck! Panel beaters are in demand right across Canada and you may be able to secure a Canadian Permanent Residency Visa either with or without a job offer.
Panel beaters also called smash repairers, are people who repair cars and other vehicles after a collision. A panel beater can return your car to its pre-accident condition.
The panel beating process involves removing, repairing, and replacing damaged panels, as well as spray painting, chassis alignment, and refitting body hardware.
No doubt you will have read online that having a job offer to move to Canada is a prerequisite to accessing the Express Entry process but as a panel beater, you also have other options to secure your Canada Visa from the start.
For starters, Panel beaters are eligible to apply to immigrate to Canada under the Canadian Government’s Immigration program due to the demand for Panel beaters in Canada being so great they have included the occupation on the targeted occupations list, known as the NOC list (National Occupation Code List).
There is a huge amount of work that goes into repairing a vehicle after an accident. Cars are more complex and carry more technology than ever before, so repairing them requires expert training and processes.
The tasks involved in panel beating include:
- Removing, repairing, and replacing damaged panels
- Repairing dents and scratches with specialty fillers
- Filing and sanding the bodywork to ensure a smooth finish
- Replacing damaged parts with genuine parts from the vehicle manufacturer
- Installing body hardware such as door locks and sensors
- realigning the chassis and body frame
- Repainting the vehicle and matching the original color.
Panel beaters are experts in a wide range of tasks needed to return a vehicle to its pre-crash condition.
The code for Panel beaters on the NOC is 7322
This is great news for qualified Panel beaters the world over hoping to live and work in Canada.
Express Entry for Canada is not a visa class at all, it is simply the method (or database) that Canadian Immigration uses to select the right candidates for a permanent residency visa and in that case, as a panel beater looking to immigrate to Canada we’ll be looking at the Federal Skilled Trades visa and Provincial Nominee program.
Panel beaters from all over the world are eligible to make an Express Entry for Panel beater Canada Residency providing they have the right skills, experience, and qualifications in their home country.
Panel beaters looking to move to Canada to work under this NOC category 7322, might be employed under work titles including:
- antique car body restorer
- antique vehicle body restorer
- apprentice painter – motor vehicle repair
- auto glass installer
- autobody mechanic
- autobody repairer
- autobody technician
- autobody technician – collision
- autobody technician – refinishing
- autobody worker
- automobile body repairman/woman
- automobile damage repair estimator
- automobile polisher-sander – motor vehicle repair
- automotive body mechanic
- automotive body painter
- automotive body repairer
- automotive body repairer-painter
- automotive body technician
- automotive glass technician
- automotive painter – motor vehicle repair
- automotive painter apprentice
- automotive painting and refinishing technician
- automotive repair shop estimator
- body and fender repairer – automobile
- body and fender repairman/woman – automobile
- collision repair technician
- dent remover and repairer – automobile
- Dingman/woman – autobody
- journeyman/woman motor vehicle body repairer
- metal finish and touch-up repairer – motor vehicle manufacturing
- metal finisher – motor vehicle manufacturing
- metal repairer – motor vehicle manufacturing
- metal upgrader – motor vehicle manufacturing
- motor repair vehicle painter apprentice
- motor vehicle apprentice painter
- motor vehicle body finisher
- motor vehicle body repairer
- motor vehicle body repairer – collision
- motor vehicle body repairer – metal and paint
- motor vehicle body repairer – refinishing
- motor vehicle body repairer apprentice
- motor vehicle body repair-painter
- motor vehicle body technician
- motor vehicle body technician – truck
- motor vehicle painter – motor vehicle repair
- painter – motor vehicle repair
- used car renovator
All these roles held by panel beater are eligible to apply under this specific NOC category of 7322
Tasks for those looking to Immigrate to Canada as a Panel Beater
In general panel beater moving to Canada will be able to demonstrate knowledge or experience of the following:
Review damage report and estimates of repair cost and plan work to be performed
Repair and replace front end components, body components, doors and frame and underbody components
Hammer out dents, buckles and other defects using blocks and hammers
Operate soldering equipment or use plastic filler to fill holes, dents and seams
Remove damaged fenders, panels and grills using wrenches and cutting torch and bolt or weld replacement parts into place
Straighten bent frames using frame and underbody pulling and anchoring equipment
File, grind and sand repaired body surfaces using hand and power tools
Mask and tape auto body surfaces in preparation for painting
Mix paint, blend and match colours
Apply primers and repaint surfaces using brush or spray guns
Repair and replace glass components such as windshields, windows and sunroofs
Repair or replace interior components, such as seat frame assembly, carpets and floorboard insulation
Inspect repaired vehicles and test drive vehicles for proper handling.
Emigrate Canada has a dedicated Panel beater Canada desk that only represents qualified panel beaters immigrate to Canada. They understand your profession and can talk your language when it comes to explaining your immigration pathway and the route to securing a Canada Visa for you (and your family).
In the U, for example,e we’ll be looking for NVQ Level III
From South Africa, you will be expected to hold your Red Seal
We’re happy to represent panel-beater clients from all over the World so regardless of your country of qualification feel free to contact us today for a full breakdown of your Canadian Immigration chances.
Reasons To Do Panel Beater Apprenticeship
Choosing a career path takes great consideration. Pursuing a panel-beating apprenticeship with Sheen Panel Service will arm you with best-in-class training and genuine career opportunities and progression. Apply for a panel beating or spray painter apprenticeship today.
1. ROLE DIVERSITY
With no two days the same, a panel beating apprenticeship will see apprentices working across varied tasks that touch every service point of the business.
Challenge yourself daily with a panel beating apprenticeship at Sheen Panel Service, and master the art of the many diverse tasks required of a skilled panel beater. This is what a panel beating apprenticeship at Sheen Panel Service looks like:
- Removing, repairing, and replacing damaged panels on any vehicle
- Making or forming panels to replaced damaged ones
- Repair dents on a damaged vehicle using fillers
- Filing, grinding & sanding the body of a vehicle to restore a smooth vehicle surface
- Re-fit body hardware, such as door locks
- Realign chassis & body frames
- Removing and replacing a vehicle’s auto-electric components if damaged
2. RECOGNITION THROUGH RENUMERATION
At Sheen Panel Service, offering a panel beater salary that is above award renumeration is a way of recognising and retaining talent. A panel beater apprenticeship is the first step in your career, and ensuring that apprentices are set up for success is how the group have continued to produce the best industry professionals.
Sheen Panel Service’s panel beater apprenticeship model is also set up so that apprentices are paid on a weekly basis to align with lifestyle needs and set them up for success.
3. HANDS ON TRAINING
A skilled professional is nothing without training, and Sheen Panel Service have designed a panel beater apprenticeship that consists of in-depth training with the most recent technology and best practice available.
4. BEST IN CLASS EQUIPMENT
As automotive production evolves, so does the need for best in class equipment to complete a panel beater apprenticeship.
Apprentices will learn the craft by using state of the art equipment, positioning their development on a trajectory inline with modern advances and technology. Apprentices have access to the latest equipment, like Car-O-Liner measuring benches, spray booths, and computer scanners that ensure all electronics and sensors are reset and working correctly.
5. UNBEATABLE CULTURE
It’s not enough to be challenged in a panel beater apprenticeship, one must also enjoy the environment and culture.
“We’re just a tight knit sort of family, we do have a muck around but at the end of the week we get our work done”, Paul, Head Spray Painter at Sheen Panel Service.
Providing a workplace where apprentices can be engaged and feel supported by the greater team is integral to the success of the company and its panel beater apprenticeship reputation. Sheen Panel Service values initiative and hard work, with the support of its full network of locations behind you.
6. WORK WITH THE BEST
As the proud recipients of prestigious industry awards, securing a panel beater apprenticeship with Sheen Panel Service will set apprentices up for success in their roles covering areas of technical, operational and communication.
Work with some of the most talented in the panel beating and spray painting profession who are at the forefront of industry changes and technology.
7. CAREER PROGRESSION
Sheen Panel Service boast many locations within Victoria, with the operation continuing to expand. A panel beater apprenticeship leads to opportunities within the group and beyond, with the confidence of knowing that your certification and work experience are highly regarded in the market.
Many smash repair jobs can lead to management positions, and owning your own franchise. Jump start your career and position yourself as an emerging professional with a panel beater apprenticeship with Sheen Panel Service.
8. JOB SECURITY
Securing a panel beater apprenticeship with Sheen Panel Service will not only afford you an above award panel beating salary, but set you up for a fruitful career in the panel beating trade.
Being trained by seasoned professionals will give you insight into future prospects and how to keep ahead of the trade so that opportunities are available. Working in real time on varied tasks within Sheen Panel Service will give your apprenticeship great scope.
9. OPTIMAL WORKING CONDITIONS
Sheen Panel Service pride themselves on the working conditions provided to those pursuing a panel beating apprenticeship.
“The Sheen Panel Service are always investing in new technology, new tools, new equipment, and also the training to use these tools correctly and in the safest manner,” Matt Johnston, Sheen Panel ServiceTradesmen Panel Beater.
Consistent training and a desirable panel beater salary makes a panel beater apprenticeship at Sheen Panel Service the only consideration.
10. CERTIFICATION
Secure an up to date certifications with training from I-CAR as well as training to use leading technology, such as the Car-o-liner measuring benches.
Continual training and a network of support from Sheen Panel Service’s locations will take your career to great heights and an above-award panel-beater salary, and set you on a track to management and franchise opportunities.
How to Immigrate to Canada as a Panel beater
The first stage in your Canadian immigration process is to calculate your Canada Immigration points for Express Entry using the Canadian Comprehensive Ranking System.
CRS Points are awarded for (amongst other things)
Age
Qualifications
English ability
French ability
Your partner’s skills
Work experience
As well as providing you with important CRS points these factors also count towards your overall Immigration Points score which must equal or exceed a total of 67
Once you receive an ITA (Invitation to apply) from Canadian Immigration as a result of your Express Entry application you’ll only have 60 days in which to lodge a formal application so under no circumstances should you lodge an Express Entry application ‘claiming’ to have certain points without first having all of your points verified through different testing, education equivalence certificates and skilled trades assessments.
Once you are invited to apply for your Canada Visa you cannot go back and have these things verified retrospectively, they must be done before you claim any points for them and given that your express entry profile is only valid for one year it makes sense to present the best possible case right from the start.
Here are the 5 steps to Panel Beating
1. Shrinking/Stretching
2. Planishing
3. Welding
4. Filling
5. Sanding
Shrinking/Stretching
This involves applying heat to the damaged area of the panel whilst using a special hammer to reshape the metal. This technique is used together with Planishing to restore the panel to original shape and contours.
Planishing
A planishing hammer is used to finely shape and smooth the panel surface. This metalworking technique helps push out the damaged metal where the metal is pushed against a shaping tool, known as a dolly or stake.
Welding
Welding may be use to join pieces of metal together by melting the work pieces together, once cooled it becomes a strong joint ensuring a strong vehicle structure. There are several ways to weld, such as by a gas flame or an electric arc but is dependent on the type of materials to be joined.
Filling
This involves adding putty filler to fill in some small holes in the surface so the original shape and contours can be achieved. It needs to be applied carefully our onto the area as fast as possible as once it hardens it’s not usable anymore. As the filler hardens, then it’s time to smoothed and shaped by sanding.
Sanding
Sanding is the procedure used to finely shape and smooth area ready for spray painting. Depending on the stage of work, a different texture can be achieved by changing the coarseness of the sanding pad.
Skills Assessment to Emigrate to Canada as a Panel Beater
The process of getting your panel beating skills, experience and qualifications verified is called Skills Assessment and it serves two purposes.
Canada Panel beater Skills Assessment purpose one: With a positive skills assessment you’ll be able to claim the requisite points on both the Express Entry CRS and eventual Federal Skilled Trades application.
Canada Panel beater Skills Assessment purpose two: Your positive skills assessment will also double as your Red Seal qualification so having your panel beating skills assessed means that you’ll be qualified to work as a panel beater in Canada from day one.
As part of your immigration process, your dedicated Panel beaters Canada account manager will arrange for your Red Seal equivalency process so there’s no need to worry about how to move to Canada; we’ll have you covered from the moment you get the ball rolling.
Can I emigrate to Canada as a Panel Beater without a job offer?
The answer is a resounding yes, providing you have a reasonable total CRS score on your Express Entry application and can meet the 67 immigration point threshold for your Canada Federal Skilled Trades Visa.
Technically there is no minimum CRS score required to submit a Panel beater Canada Express Entry profile.
Of course, securing a job offer (documented in the right way for immigration purposes i.e. LMT) will give you an instant CRS boost of 600 points so it makes sense to start this process as soon as is practical.
Panel beater Jobs in Canada
Occupations on the Canada NOC list can be classed as being ‘in demand’ and the panel beaters code 7322 has been firmly established on the list for many years with lots of opportunities right across the country.
As a qualified new and highly skilled Permanent resident of Canada, you may work full-time from day one, either as a direct employee, contractor, or in a self-employed capacity. Panel beater jobs in Canada are often better paid than in the UK, Europe, and Asia and Canadian employment law respects the work-life balance.
Canada as a Motor Collision industry accreditation Program. Any Panel Beater looking to start their own shop once they have emigrated to Canada should look into the accreditation required.
Emigrate Canada are the Panel beater Canada Visa specialists with a dedicated Skilled Trades desk ideally placed to take care of not just your immigration paperwork, but also to get you registered to work from day one.
Tools Used by Panel Beaters
1: Panel Beating Hammers
A variety are available.Flat faced for crowned panels, crowned-faced for flat panels. These shapes limit the surface contact and can come with round or square faces, heavy or light weights. Also, cross pein and pick ends are useful. My hammers are all crowned, which works for me.
2: Cross-Pein Hammers
The cross pein hammers allow for a concentrated blow with linear impact. This is used for many jobs, in particular when dressing door skins at critical points such as swage lines. A crowned heavy round-faced bumping hammer with cross-pein end is possibly the most useful tool you will buy.
3: Pick Hammers
For an expert, the pick hammer is the most effective tool, but for the uninitiated it is a nightmare. This hammer can be used to pick up a dent from inside, using light, careful blows. The dimples are then planished away.
4: Shrinking Hammers
There are many wonder hammers on the market, but some are of only limited use. The spiral-faced hammer here is quite good. It is effective when removing scrapes on doors. Use in conjunction with a flat dolly.
5: Dollies
These provide the counter to a hammer, or can be used to dress directly. Striking on the dolly will raise the metal by stretching, while striking off will cause it to lift. Dollies come in many forms and you can never have too many.
6: Spoons
A spoon can be used to pry, drift and slap, or as a dolly. Generally cast in metal and chrome-plated, these are very handy tools to have around. The universal spoon also has a hooked end. When using as a drift, the spoon is struck with a mallet or club hammer.
7: Heavy Roughing Hammers
Club hammers, engineer’s hammers and heavy mallets. Roughing out is the term given to the stage in a repair before the final shaping and planishing. A range of hide copper and rubber mallets is a good idea, along with at least a couple of heavy steel hammers.
8: Dead Blow Hammer
This clever polyurethane hammer deserves a mention. Unlike conventional rubber hammers this has a hollow cavity filled with shot. In use, as the hammer strikes, its natural tendency to bounce is countered by the shot, which instead reinforces the blow. Great for bodywork.
9: Slappers/Spring Hammers
Any long striking device might be regarded as a slapper, be it made of wood, steel, or as in this case, have a rubber face. It is often useful to inflict a defuse blow on the work piece. Highs can be shrunk so as not to leave a flat or hollow.
10: Bumping File
This was traditionally an old file, which had been lopped and shaped to work as a slapper with grip. The knurled file face will counter the natural tendency of the metal to stretch. The bumping-file or Shrinking Slapper is also essential in the process of metal finishing.
11: Body File
Though not a beating tool, the flexible body file is used in conjunction with the bumping-file in the metal-finishing process. This adjustable file is an essential element in any panel beater’s tool kit.
12: Proprietary Panel Beating Kits
Panel Beating kits are available from companies such as Frost Auto. Higher-priced tools often feel better in the hand. If you are only going to renovate one car, go for the budget set. Should you be more serious, spend a bit more.
