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  2. Automotive Collision Repair & Refinishing

Automotive Collision Repair & Refinishing

Summary

Buffing carThousands of vehicles are involved in collisions every day. Many of these cars and trucks need to be properly restored to pre-accident condition. The National Automotive Technician’s Education Foundation (NATEF) certified Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing program at Northeast offers training in all aspects of automotive collision repair, based on ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) and Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) standards. Upon successful completion of the program, students will possess the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to excel in the workplace or as a solid foundation toward a post-secondary degree. The Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing program at Northeast has articulation agreements with area technical colleges for those students who wish to further their training after graduation. Student safety is a priority in the Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing program. Shop facilities and training conform to OSHA standards and all students in the program receive the OSHA certified 10 Hour General Industry safety course.

Facilities

GFS Water-borne and SprayBake Downdraft spray booths, ONYX computerized paint mixing system, Chief E-Z Liner frame machine, Chief universal frame measuring system, CCC-one and Mitchell computerized auto damage estimating systems, heat inductor adhesive removal tool, mig, and aluminum welders, Eagle II dent removal machine, plasma and oxy-acetylene cutting equipment, uni-spot welder and Mirka – vacuum sanders.

Opportunities

Upon graduation, students are employable as:

  • Automotive Body and Related Repairers
  • Structural Repair Technician
  • Auto Damage Estimator/Appraiser Claims Adjuster
  • Glass Technician
  • Painter/Refinisher Technician

Technical and Higher Education Majors

  • Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
  • Restoration, Frame Repair
  • Auto Body/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician

Certifications

Certification by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), although voluntary, is the pervasive industry credential for non-entry-level automotive body repairers. This is especially true in large, urban areas. Repairers may take up to four ASE Master Collision Repair and Refinish Exams. Repairers who pass at least one exam and have 2 years of hands-on work experience earn ASE certification. The completion of a post-secondary program in automotive body repair may be substituted for 1 year of work experience. Those who pass all four exams become ASE Master Collision Repair and Refinish Technicians. Automotive body repairers must retake the examination at least every 5 years to retain their certification. Many vehicle manufacturers and paint manufacturers also have product certification programs that can advance a repairers’ career.

Connections to Work and Higher Education

Industry Affiliations:  SKILLS USA, National Automotive Tech Education Foundation (NATEF)

Industry Certifications Available in High School

  • OSHA 10 General Safety
  • S/P2 Safety
  • I-CAR certifications
  • EPA 6H Rule Certification
  • Hot Work Certification

College Credits toward post-secondary certifications/degrees can be earned through Articulation Agreements with:

  • New England Institute of Technology: Designated AB courses for tuition credit
  • Franklin Cummings- 3 Credits for Safety Course for AT Certficate Program

PREPARATION FOR MASSACHUSETTS EXAMINATION TO BECOME LICENSED AUTO DAMAGE APPRAISER: COURSE AVAILABLE THROUGH NE ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM: must be at least 18 years old with 2 years work experience in the field.

Courses

  • During grade 9 exploratory, students will receive instruction in auto body shop safety and basic auto body repair techniques. Course content introduces students to vehicle construction, minor dent repair, masking, automotive detailing and basic airbrushing skills and refinishing procedures.

  • During grade 9 shop, course content will include content on the safe and proper use of all hand and power tools used in the collision repair industry. Students will be introduced to basic automotive welding, and automotive refinishing procedures.

  • During grade 10 shop, students will receive instruction on vehicle construction and nomenclature, computer estimating, sheet metal repair, advanced automotive welding, water-borne and solvent-based paint mixing, surface preparation and refinishing, non-structural body repair and plastic welding.

  • This course provides students with the theory necessary to understand the basic repair and refinishing techniques used in the collision repair and refinishing industry. Coursework is designed to address NATEF objectives. Students receive instruction in tool use and safety, vehicle construction, and shop equipment procedures. Students will also attain their OSHA 10 hour general safety card as part of their instruction. Instructional delivery includes presentations, reading and writing assignments, classroom demonstrations, self-paced computer instruction, and visual media presentations. Reading, writing and math assignments related to the collision repair industry are also integrated with the academic frameworks.

  • During grade 11 shop, course content will focus on more advanced non-structural and structural damage while students hone their skills on live work and project vehicles. Instruction will include damage analysis and measuring, body panel preparation, panel alignment, and proper refinishing techniques.

  • This course provides students with the theory necessary to understand the basic repair and refinishing techniques at an advanced level of instruction used in the collision repair and refinishing industry. Instruction builds on coursework from the previous year and is designed to address NATEF objectives. Students receive instruction in automotive refinishing and equipment use and application, dent repair techniques and equipment and MIG welding. Instructional delivery includes presentations, reading and writing assignments, classroom demonstrations, self-paced computer instruction, and visual media presentations. Reading, writing and math assignments related to the collision repair industry are also integrated with the academic frameworks. Introduction to the Jr./Sr. Project graduation requirement is also a component of their related instruction.

  • During grade 12 shop, course content will include removing and replacing structural panels, identifying, measuring and straightening frame and unibody damage and diagnosing mechanical and electrical component problems. Instruction will also emphasize the development of desirable employability skills.

  • This course provides students with the theory necessary to understand the basic repair and refinishing techniques at an advanced level of instruction used in the collision repair and refinishing industry. Instruction builds on coursework from the previous year and is designed to address NATEF objectives. Students receive instruction in frame damage analysis, computer estimating and mechanical and electrical components. Instructional delivery includes presentations, reading and writing assignments, classroom demonstrations, self-paced computer instruction, and visual media presentations. Reading, writing and math assignments related to the collision repair industry are also integrated into the curriculum as evidenced by the continuation and completion of the Jr./Sr. Project graduation requirement.