Automotive Trimmer
OFO No: 684906
Other names for Automotive Trimmer:
- Auto Trimmer / Upholsterer
- Automotive Component Upholsterer
- Car Trimmer / Upholsterer
- Motor Trimmer / Upholsterer
- Vehicle Trimmer / Upholsterer
Youtube clip – Merseta’s – Automotive Trimmer
What is an Automotive Trimmer?
Do you enjoy TV shows like ‘Pimp my Ride’, ‘Overhaulin’ or ‘Counting Cars’? Are you passionate about cars and have an eye for detail … considering a career as an Automotive Trimmer might be a road worth traveling.
Automotive Trimmers are like ‘car upholsterers’ who are specialised tradesmen that repair, modify and create new internal furnishings of motor cars.
For example:
- seats and headrests
- roof linings
- boot linings
- floors
- door interiors etc
Automotive Trimmers can work for themselves, in automotive garages or in automotive factories.
What does an Automotive Trimmer do?
- reads patterns and sketches
- chooses the right type of material for every part of the vehicle
- measures quantities of material needed
- orders material needed
- marks and cuts materials according to patterns
- removes seats, handles etc before commencing ‘trimming’
- uses tools such as scissors, needles, tongs, hammers, screwdrivers
- uses special sewing machines
- replaces all hinges, handles etc
- checks that the seats of the vehicle are fitted in the correct position after their work is finished
Are you … ?
- passionate about cars?
- interested in materials?
- neat and thorough?
- a perfectionist?
- responsible?
- strong, especially your hands?
- accurate and patient?
How do I become an Automotive Trimmer?
- MerSETA
http://www.merseta.org.za/Home.aspx
Approved and accredited MerSETA training companies: Type your trade choice in and click on FIND.
http://ww2.merseta.org.za/OrgIndex.asp?page=sites
PATH 1
- Apprenticeship
- Trade Test
PATH 2
- Learnership – Automotive Repair and Maintenance (Automotive Body Repairer) Level 2
- Learnership – Automotive Body Repairer Level 3 and 4
- Trade Test
PATH 3
- Learnership – Furniture Production: Upholstery NQF Level 2, 3 and 4
- Trade Test
PATH 4
- National Certificate: Motor Body Repairing: N1, N2 (Motor Body Repairing)
- National Certificate: Engineering Studies: N3
- All can be done at a lot of TVET (FET) colleges
- Workplace experience
- Trade Test
PATH 5
- Artisan Internship
- Trade Test
PATH 6
- RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) for Artisans: CLICK HERE
- If you have already been working a long time as a Automotive Trimmer without qualifications, you may be able to get your qualification through RPL
- Trade Test
TRAINING:
- CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
- Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
- To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education.
- CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions.
Private Place:
- McCARTHY’s TRIMMERS
http://www.mccarthystrim.co.za/training-school.html
OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Upholsterer … or … Automotive Vehicle Spray Painter … or … Interior Designer
Is becoming a Automotive Trimmer the right career choice for me?
