Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technician
Winter 2010 Program Outline
Start: Fall, Winter, Spring (every other quarter)
Degrees and Certificates
Program Website:
www.scc.spokane.edu/?auto
Additional Costs
| Books | $125-250 |
| Supplies and Equipment | $1800-2800 |
| * Estimate for six quarters. |
Program Description
The Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technician program teaches skills including metalwork, glasswork, refinishing, and welding. Instruction is primarily by demonstration and individual help in a shop situation where field conditions are simulated. This includes wire feed; plastic repair; a study of basic hand tools and their uses; basic metal straightening techniques; use of modern shop equipment; and basic refinishing methods. The advanced portion of the course involves practical applications in metal straightening; body and panel alignment; frame and chassis repair; and body repair including both major damage and miscellaneous repair. Modern refinishing and paint techniques are included.
A comprehensive study of automobile refinishing, material damage estimating, insurance procedures, and shop procedures is emphasized.
Students must complete each ABF and related course with a 2.0 grade or better before advancing to subsequent quarters.
Program Goals
- Understand the characteristics of metal and the principles of metal correction.
- Repair damaged bodies, frames, suspensions and sheet metal; remove and replace glass.
- Refinish complete vehicles and spot damaged areas with the latest in refinishing products and equipment.
- Estimate damage costs.
- Understand automotive electrical principles and minor services.
- Weld (wire feed) to industry standards.
- Understand basic shop operation.
- Understand hazardous waste management.
- 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.