ATA Awards- Bodywork

ATA Awards - Bodyshop
Overview :
With the increasing complexity and sophistication of vehicles and a shortage of skilled individuals, there has never been a greater need for competent technicians.

Properly trained technicians are highly skilled professionals, Automotive Technician Accreditation has been developed to enable identification of them.

ATA is a voluntary assessment programme for technicians working in the retail motor industry. It has the backing of major vehicle manufacturers, independent service and repair organisations and Thatcham.

ATA registered technicians sign and are bound by a special Code of Conduct. They are issued with a photo identity card, included on a public register on a dedicated website and there is publicity and point-of-sale material available.

Attend and complete your practical assessments and on-line test. You will be expected to sign the ATA Code of Conduct and have your photograph taken, for the ATA photo identity card.
If you pass all your assessments, you will be advised on the day. You will receive written notification of your success, your photo identity card and full details on making the most of ATA within two weeks. You will also be registered on the public register of ATA technicians on this website. Otherwise, the assessment centre will provide written guidance on your training needs. You will be able to complete a partial re-assessment in those areas in which you were not successful, at an additional cost. However, if you are unsuccessful in more than two practical assessments, you will need to take the assessments again.
This will be valid for five years from the day of your assessment, after which time you will need to complete a full re-assessment to renew your Accreditation.
Course Content :
For paint technicians there are two competency levels:

• Paint Technician
• Senior Paint Technician

Paint Technician
The five practical assessments at Technician level will measure competence in the following:

• New panel surface preparation process
• Preparation, priming and flatting procedures
• Sealing techniques
• Colour identification and mixing process
• Preparation and application of wet on wet paint processes and masking techniques

Senior Paint Technician
The five practical assessments at Senior Technician level will measure competence in the following:

• Carry out a cosmetic repair on a plastic component
• Carry out plastic and textured paint application
• Application of clear over base (COB) metallic
• Carry out local repair (blend/fade out)
• Rectifying a paint run

On Line Assessments
To allow flexibility the online knowledge test can be taken before, during or after the assessment day. The test remains valid for 6 months from completion. If all other assessments have not been completed within 6 months, centres will need to contact the IMI to reset the test and the applicant will need to complete the test again.
The test will be multiple choice 'online' and consist of 30 randomised questions. The time limit for the test will be 45 minutes.
The technician level on-line test will be aligned to national occupational standards and measure knowledge in the following areas:

• legislation, health and safety relating to refinishing
• identification of substrates
• preparation techniques
• mixing and application of foundation coats
• identification of basic paint faults
• spray equipment adjustment and maintenance
• application of basic topcoats

The Senior technician level on-line test will be aligned to national occupational standards and measure knowledge in the following areas:

• legislation, health and safety relating to refinishing
• complete preparation prior to top coat application
• colour mixing and matching techniques
• application of metallic and mica top coats
• identification, rectification and prevention of paint faults

To gain a pass, the applicant will be required to achieve a mark of 60% or above.