Heavy Equipment Collision Repair Careers

If you have always liked tinkering with the exteriorsare also taught. More attention and focus is put on
of cars, giving it a polished finish, then you couldthe use of hand tools.
make a career out of it. You could do this by firstOne of the main advantages of the program is that
getting the proper training in the collision repairit offers an opportunity to begin working "hands on"
department of a franchised dealership.during the second semester of the first year. Thus,
Collision repair as a career involves repairing theyou will do various jobs ranging from detailing to
damaged body and parts of a vehicle. The candidateshelping with a complete paint job in the first year of
are trained to handle a range of equipment to repairthe program. The program also offers training with an
the damage of individual sections. From using aup-to-date paint booth that can bake paint at
hammer and anvil to smooth out dents, to using atemperatures of up to 140 degree F. Candidates are
pneumatic metal-cutting gun and welding equipmentalso offered a practical course on frame straightening
to remove and replace damaged sections, collisionequipment and the operation of HVLP refinishing
repair involves all types of restorations.equipment.
The following areas of instruction are available inApart from basic reading ability, skills in mathematics
collision repair technology: Computerized frame(addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of
measuring, which is the use of computer technologyfractions and percentages) are essential for this
to assess frame changes caused by damage. Otherprogram. Physical abilities such as good eye-hand
subjects such as computerized estimate writing,coordination and motor skills will help the candidate to
shrinking and stretching methods, alignment work onprogress quickly in the program.
doors, hoods, and deck lids, the use of spray paintingBeing a certified collision repairer opens up a whole
equipment, computerized mixing and matching ofrange of job avenues. Positions such as a body shop
paints, frame alignment and more are also taught.and paint shop helper, automotive refinisher, auto
The goal of the Collision Repair Program is to trainbody technician, fiberglass technician, the sales of
candidates with sufficient expertise and know-how topaint and automobile body supplies, insurance
get into the job market. The candidates should beappraiser, or auto body shop manager, are some of
willing to work as heavy equipment repairers. Thethe jobs available in this field.
program provides you the opportunity to developThe program lasts for two years with a year of
the basic skills required in auto body repair andapprenticeship. A candidate can expect a 40-hour
refinishing. It offers you in-depth understanding ofwork week, and salary depends on the specific job,
the underlying theories, the study of technicalshop size, and the size of town in which the shop is
information, and related practical information tolocated.
assure that you follow proper procedures in theWith the growth in the number of motor vehicles,
repairing and servicing of any kind of damagedwhich inevitably results in more accidents, there is no
vehicles body and chassis.dearth in the demand of collision repair technicians.
The use of micro and macro tools is also explainedThe US Department of Labor expects the
during the program. Tools such as the mig welder,employment prospects of automotive body repairers
refinishing equipment (paint mixing system, paint gun,to grow about as fast as the average for all other
paint booth, etc.), frame straightening equipment, andoccupations through to the year 2012.
various body tools (hammers, dollies, grinders, etc.)