Automotive Collision Technology

Auto Collision Technology (College Tech Prep)

Program Length: 2 Years
Program Instructor: Mr. Bob Newland
 
Program Description
Students learn to repair and refinish damaged vehicle bodies including metal, glass, and plastic components. Students are instructed in Automotive Service Excellence (A.S.E.) certification areas including mechanical and electrical components, structural and non-structural damage repair and analysis, plastics and adhesives, and paint and refinish systems. Students who successfully complete the program are prepared for A.S.E. certification.
Major Topics Included in the Course:
  • Basic Metal Straightening
  • Welding
  • Metal Filling and Sanding
  • Refinishing
  • Glass Replacement
  • Trim and Hardware Replacement
  • Plastic Repair
  • Auto Detailing
  • Electrical Systems
  • Cooling Systems
  • Estimating
Program Highlights:
  • Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding
  • Aluminum Welding
  • Sheet metal repair and fabrication
  • Steering and Suspension
  • Vehicle panel replacement
  • Spraying and sanding primer surfacer
  • Spraying basecoat / clearcoat automotive paint
Job Possibilities:
  • Body shop service writer
  • Insurance company appraiser
  • Automotive glass installer
  • Body shop painter
  • Body shop metal technician
  • Paint company sales / representative
Post-Secondary Options:
College Partnerships/Articulation Agreements:
  • Owens College possible credits earned: 3 credit hrs
Clubs/Organizations/Competitions:
  • Skills USA
Academic Preparation Needed Before Entering Program:
  • Strong math skills
Personality Traits to work in this field:
  • Must work well with others as a team
  • Attention to detail
  • Able to accept constructive criticism
  • Able to stay on task and finish projects
Other Information
·         Students may continue their education in 2-year technical or community college automotive programs. Job placement through the School-To-Work program allows students to get a jump start on their career before graduating.
·         According to the I–Car Education Foundation, the average age of auto body technicians has increased every year since 1995. The average age of an auto body technician in a survey taken in 2007 was 38.7 years of age. What does that mean to a new auto body technician? It means there are not a lot of young technicians working in the field. There is a critical shortage of technicians.
·         Students are members of Skills-USA, the nation’s largest career-technical student organization.
·         Auto body technicians can earn in excess of $50,000 per year and jobs are expected to increase.
                Source: Thompson Education Direct, 2004