The CarboRep project, which has been co-funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme, plans to create a curriculum and examination for training European Car Body Repair Technicians in processes such as welding, mechanical fastening and adhesive bonding.
TWI has been joined by the European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting (EWF), CESOL, and ISQ to deliver the project, with the hope of addressing skills shortages and meeting labour needs across Europe.
While the curriculum is still in development, the aim is to repair rather than replace vehicles, with a focus on the work being done to a recognised standard to ensure safety, while potentially reducing the waste of resources associated with writing off cars following accidents.
The training looks set to interest stakeholders such as car producers, insurance companies, repair garages, national and international bodies and associations for automotive repair and vocational training providers.
Currently being planned with a grant of €412,040, CarboRep should increase the transparency of competences and qualifications for the automotive sector, while allowing the movement of repair specialists across Europe.
The CarboRep training and examination programme is still in the early stages of development it will eventually be available to large enterprises and SMEs all over Europe.
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