A cracked or chipped windshield can be dangerous for drivers. Luckily for those drivers, auto glass installers quickly and efficiently replace damaged car windows. If you want to become an auto glass installer, you will need some familiarity with cars, a strong ability to learn and great customer service skills. The job often can be demanding and stressful, but it will give you a sense of accomplishment, knowing that you are making the roads safer.
There are few educational requirements if you want to become an auto glass installer. Many auto glass installation companies require a high school diploma or an equivalent certification, but little prior training is required of job candidates. Classes such as math and shop will be useful when handling power tools and calculating the size of the glass to fit a car. Prior work with automotive glass is helpful for getting a job, but many companies offer on-the-job training.
There are a variety of duties that you must learn if you want to become an auto glass installer. The most common duty involves using power and manual tools for dislodging a faulty piece of glass and safely disposing of it. You also will install new glass using similar tools, such as an air-powered suction gun that allows you to move an entire windshield with ease. Another part of the job is dealing with customer service by working at the front counter, receiving a car that needs a window installed and estimating the cost and time to replace the glass.
When you become an auto glass installer, you will need to utilize many different skills at once. You must have excellent hand-eye coordination because you will be dealing with delicate glass and, in most cases, gluing it permanently in place. You also must have a great attention to detail, because you will have to choose between several cuts of window glass, and a slight miscalculation could result in an expensive and dangerous mistake with the wrong glass. Strong communication ability is perhaps the most important skill to have if you want to become an auto glass installer. You frequently will have to give or receive instructions from coworkers.
Auto glass installers find work in a variety of places. Most will work in a large garage, such as a car dealership's repair shop, and focus on certain types of cars. Others find work at auto glass specialty shops. Independent mechanic shops occasionally have a need for an auto glass repair installer as well.