Automotive Painter National Occupational Analysis (NOA) 2014

The Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) recognizes this NOA as the national standard for the occupation of Automotive Painter.

General Information

• NOA History
• Structure of Analysis
• Development and Validation of Analysis
• Safety

Scope

“Automotive Painter” is this trade’s official Red Seal occupational title approved by the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship CCDA. This analysis covers tasks performed by an automotive painter whose occupational title has been identified by some provinces and territories of Canada under the following names:

Automotive painters work on the surfaces of motor vehicles, primarily in restoring vehicle finishes once body work has been completed. Some of the duties that an automotive painter completes include: removing exterior trim and hardware; removing layers of sub-coating; matching colours and mixing paints; preparing metal surfaces for painting by spot filling, sanding, and masking; applying primers, primer surfacers, enamels, clearcoats and urethanes; cleaning and polishing painted surfaces including removing and replacing decals; and applying rubberized undercoating treatments.

Automotive painters use hand and power tools in their work. Commonly used tools are sanders and spray guns. Computers and related software may be used in some workplaces for computerized paint colour reading, generating paint formulas and tinting recommendations.

Journeypersons in this trade usually work indoors and can expect a work environment that includes paint fumes, dust and noise. Health and safety are important issues for automotive painters, as they are exposed to chemical hazards such as paints and solvents, and physical hazards such as spray guns and sanders. Ongoing safety training and a good knowledge of government safety standards and regulations are important in providing a safer working environment.

Journeypersons in this trade usually work indoors and can expect a work environment that includes paint fumes, dust and noise. Health and safety are important issues for automotive painters, as they are exposed to chemical hazards such as paints and solvents, and physical hazards such as spray guns and sanders. Ongoing safety training and a good knowledge of government safety standards and regulations are important in providing a safer working environment.

Key attributes for people entering this trade include: mechanical aptitude; manual dexterity; good colour vision; the ability to do precise work that requires attention to detail and problem solving skills. Good physical condition and agility are important because the work often requires considerable standing, bending, crouching, kneeling and reaching.

Being an automotive painter is very self-rewarding. With experience, journeypersons have a number of career options, including supervisory or teaching/training in the field, insurance adjuster, auto body estimator and manufacturers’ representative.

Occupational Observations

The use of environmentally friendly materials is becoming more common in the trade. Regulations controlling their use and disposal are becoming stricter than in previous years. Computer software is playing a major role in colour formula retrieval and assists in colour matching. Manufacturers’ systems involving spectrophotometers, internet-based ordering software and equipment are more involved in the day to day operations. While these high technology tools are helpful, they are only supplemental to the trained eye of an experienced professional automotive painter who is attuned to fine detail.

Hybrid and alternate fuel vehicles are becoming increasingly popular. Original equipment manufacturers (OEM) have specific recommendations for these types of vehicles to prevent vehicle damage and ensure worker safety.

Although new industry trends have slowed, innovation is still seen in areas such as nanotechnology and applications using a nitrogen spray system and curing technologies involving ultraviolet (UV) and broadband infrared curing. The introduction of high-solid contents and water-borne paints has decreased the level of solvent emissions, as well as the use and disposal of solvents. The return of volatile organic compound (VOC) compliant solvent-based products may reverse the trend of using water-borne products. Solvent recycling has in many cases dramatically decreased solvent waste and costs associated with this industry. The structure of day to day operations in workshops has changed with more specialization of personnel.

Essential Skills Summary

Essential skills are needed for work, learning and life. They provide the foundation for learning all other skills and enable people to evolve with their jobs and adapt to workplace change.

Through extensive research, the Government of Canada and other national and international agencies have identified and validated nine essential skills. These skills are used in nearly every occupation and throughout daily life in different ways.

A series of CCDA-endorsed tools have been developed to support apprentices in their training and to be better prepared for a career in the trades. The tools can be used independently or with the assistance of a tradesperson, trainer, employer, teacher or mentor to:

• understand how essential skills are used in the trades;
• learn about individual essential skills strengths and areas for improvement; and
• improve essential skills and increase success in an apprenticeship program.

Tools are available online or for order.

The application of these skills may be described throughout this document within the competency statements which support each subtask of the trade. The following are summaries of the requirements in each of the essential skills, taken from the essential skills profile. Here is a link to the complete essential skills profile.

Acknowledgements

The CCDA and ESDC wish to express sincere appreciation for the contribution of the many tradespersons, industrial establishments, professional associations, labour organizations, provincial and territorial government departments and agencies, and all others who contributed to this publication.

Special acknowledgement is extended by ESDC and the CCDA to the following representatives from the trade and apprenticeship bodies or national organizations that nominated them:

• Paul Gosse - Newfoundland
• Ian Johnston - British Columbia
• Alexandra Leith - Ontario
• Andy Neufeld - Automotive Industries Association of Canada
• Daniel Onofriechuk - Manitoba
• Tyler Ross - Alberta
• Scott Schnare - Nova Scotia
• Derek Sproston - British Columbia
• David Thorne - Prince Edward Island

This analysis was prepared by the Labour Market Integration Directorate of ESDC. The coordinating, facilitating and processing of this analysis were undertaken by employees of the NOA development team of the Trades and Apprenticeship Division. The host jurisdiction of British Colombia also participated in the development of this NOAs.

Comments or questions about National Occupational Analyses may be forwarded to:

Trades and Apprenticeship Division
Labour Market Integration Directorate
Employment and Social Development Canada
140 Promenade du Portage, Phase IV, 5th Floor
Gatineau, Quebec  K1A 0J9
Email: redseal-sceaurouge@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca