Auto Body Repair

The Collins Career Technical Center in Ohio offers an Auto Body Repair program for individuals interested in becoming auto body technicians. This program trains students in the repair and refinishing of damaged vehicles, as well as the use of tools, equipment, and materials necessary to complete the work. The curriculum covers welding, metal finishing, body repair, painting and refinishing, and more. The program is full-time and typically takes nine months to complete. Upon completing the program, students will have the skills and knowledge necessary to work in the auto body repair industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for automotive body and related repairers was $47,020 in May 2021. Therefore, job growth for automotive body and related repairers is projected to be about average for all occupations.

The Auto Body Repair Technician Program focuses on the latest techniques for restoring a vehicle to its original state. Classroom instruction with an I-CAR-certified laboratory which includes I-CAR certifications and experiences, includes, but is not limited to, Applied Communication, Applied Math, and Employability Skills.

Automotive body repairers typically do the following:

• Review damage reports, prepare cost estimates, and plan work
• Inspect cars for structural damage
• Remove damaged body parts, including bumpers, fenders, hoods, grilles, and trim
• Realign car frames and chassis to repair structural damage
• Hammer out or patch dents, dimples, and other minor body damage
• Fit, attach, and weld replacement parts into place
• Sand, buff, and prime refurbished and repaired surfaces
• Apply new finish to restored body parts