Auto Collision Industry in Alberta?
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hey guys,
happy thanksgiving and whatnot 🙂
living in BC at the moment and have been receiving a lot of job offers out of alberta lately. better wages aside, is the flat rate system the same in alberta as it is in BC?
the reason im curious is that the insurance landscape in alberta seems completely different from BC and should the day come that i do accept a position, i’d like to be informed as possible before negotiating a wage.
anyone? anyone?
ICBC makes up lots of their times (particularly paint) instead of following estimating programs like adp and mitchell.So to answer your question no,they are a little bit different.I have been in this trade close to 30 years and flat rate is kind of a joke these days as the times are cut back form before.The only guys that do well are the guys that just spray,in a well organized shop with some helpers and a good flow of work it is not hard to do 300-400hrs a month.Some shops offer a team system or a straight time with a bonus offered when production goals are met.Shop around and do your homework before you commit.Where are you from and where are you looking in Alberta??
Jayson gave good advise. Correct me if I’m wrong, though, but ICBC is using Audatex these days, and has strayed away from their own jumbled system, right?
In any case, if you want to work flat rate in Alberta, do your research. Your best bet is a large reputable dealer shop in a large city (mainly Calgary or Edmonton). The best jobs are very hard to get (especially as a painter). The mediocre and decent jobs, however, are easy to come by. Many shops have a lot of turn over and little loyalty…usually for a reason.
Some good hourly shops pay very well and take good care of their employees.
I’m originally from BC, but did my apprenticeship and schooling here. I’ve seen a lot of seasoned pros come here from BC, only to go back.
You could be right Ben,I did not know that had changed.
hey guys, thanks for your replies.
replying from coquitlam, about 20 minutes outside of vancouver.
i truly believe ICBC pulls their paint rates out of the sky. working flat-rate in BC is truly a joke. i know techs who leap-frog from shop to shop trying to chase down decent flat rate hours, but to be honest listing 6 shops over the course of a year on a resume isn’t exactly impressive. personally, i’ve tightened my belt, and taken a gig paying an hourly wage.
if i do end up making a move i have family in edmonton, so it’s pretty much my guaranteed destination. ideally a shop stocking envirobase. i’m all for new starts, but moving to a new city and taking up a different system isn’t something i’d be crazy about doing. i’d rather land at a shop that i can contribute to right away.
There are many PPG shops in Edmonton, and a good job market. I’m sure you’ll make out well. Just take in as much of the ocean and trees as you can, you will miss the coast a lot.
I’m from Vancouver Island, and glad I came out here, but do miss some things. I’d be happy to trade positions with you for a while…lol.
can’t say ill miss the ocean or anything. speaking of the island, i’d love to find a shop hiring in Duncan.
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