Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
What is involved in this class?
We study the proper procedures for attitude and safety in the workplace, how to correctly repair damage to a vehicle and make ready for refinishing. We study the structure and how to repair major damages using "state of the art" frame pulling and alignment equipment.Back to Top
How much classroom work verses shop work?
In the beginning class there is approximately 70% classwork and 30% shop work getting you ready for the repairs to a vehicle. In the advanced classes there are approximately 50% class time and 50% shop time.Back to Top
Yes! In the Collision Repair Trade you will be working with various materials ranging from working with plastic filler, primer and paints. While working with these materials, there is a sanding process which creates dust. We will require that you use a pair of safety glasses (either clear or amber - no dark lenses) and a dust respirator. The dust respirator will be furnished per six weeks of study.Back to Top
During the beginning program, I do not allow students to work on their own projects. In the advanced program, if the student has a project that relates to our line of study, they are allowed to bring in their project if it is newer than a 1980 and there is not a lot of damage or rust. There is a spray booth fee of $50.00 and a shop fee of $15.00 plus all the materials you use on your vehicle.Back to Top
Are there any girls taking Collision Repair?
Yes! In the past classes I have had several female students taking Collision Repair. There are open fields of employment for females taking Collision Repair.Back to Top
Can I get a job after graduation?
This is a tough question. It all depends upon you. If you are serious and want to become a Collision Repair Tech, the opportunity is there for you. There are also related areas of employment in industry. I have several former students working in industry painting, welding, working with sheet metal and fiberglass. You have to prove yourself from the beginning. The employment world wants only those who are motivated and works well on their own without having to be told what to do.Back to Top
Is there a college institution for Collision Repair?
Yes! There are several opportunities for you to go and further your education in the collision repair field. In Morristown - Tennessee Technology Center. In Nashville Tn. - Nashville Auto Diesel College. In Texas, you have Universal Technical Institute and in Alabama you have Virginia Technical Institute for Collision Repair. There are others I'm sure. If you are interested, we can do a web search and find others for you.Back to Top
The salary depends upon the shop where you are working and your abilities. Most shops start you out as a trainee mostly around $6 per hour. As your knowledge increases and get more experience under your belt the raises come and possibly go into a commision based salary where you get a percentage of what the labor is on the project you are working on. Some of the tech's today are making $60 - $70 thousand a year. Also you can go on to become the shop manager or even have your own business.Back to Top
The certification most used in this area is the "Automotive Service Excellence" or ASE. Tech's are asked to get their certification to prove they are knowledgeable about the repairs to a vehicle and can perform quality work. The customer comes first along with the safety of repairs. If a tech denies taking the certification test, there could be grounds for dismissal.Back to Top
With the Collision Repair Program, you must be 18 and passed all of your Gateway Exams to be able to "Co-op" out into a workplace. You must be an advanced student and the workplace must be a related area of employment. EX: Welding shop, industry that has painting, welding or working with sheetmetal, fiberglass or glass - either household or automotive style. Of course areas in the collision repair shops.Back to Top