Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technician

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Spring 2018

Enrollment:

Fall

Degrees and Certificates

Program Website:

View the program website

Additional Costs

Books$125-250
Supplies and Equipment$1800-2800
* Estimate for six quarters.

Program Description

The Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technician program teaches the skills necessary to succeed in the automotive collision repair industry.  Instruction is primarily in a shop situation where field conditions are simulated.  Students are able to learn by demonstration and direct hands on experience.

Students are instructed in a wide range of skills, including welding, sheet metal repair and replacement, fabrication and restoration techniques, frame and unibody repair, as well as repair and replacement of structural components.

The refinishing portion of our program provides students with a comprehensive education in modern refinishing techniques and materials, as well as material and damage estimation. Students will learn all phases of substrate preparation, color matching and application of the latest paint materials including water born products.

Students must complete each ABF and related course with a 2.0 grade or better before advancing to subsequent quarters.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Understand the characteristics of metal and the principles of metal correction.
  2. Repair damaged bodies, frames, suspensions and sheet metal; remove and replace glass.
  3. Refinish complete vehicles and spot damaged areas with the latest in refinishing products and equipment.
  4. Estimate damage costs.
  5. Understand automotive electrical principles and minor services.
  6. Weld (wire feed) to industry standards.
  7. Understand basic shop operation.
  8. Understand hazardous waste management.
  9. Demonstrate shop safety practices.

Career Opportunities

There is universal need for highly skilled and motivated automobile collision and refinishing technicians, and employment opportunities are expected to increase well into the future. Types of positions in which students have been placed include: auto body combination, heavy collision technician, automotive refinisher, body shop foreman/owner, sales, collision estimator, detailer, factory representative, frames, glass, insurance adjuster, industrial refinisher, jobber salesperson, painter's assistant. Wages range from $10 to $12 per hour starting wage, while journeyman technicians can make as much as $35 per hour or more.