Auto Body Schools – Locating the Training to Best Suit Your Needs

Posted by admin on January 30th, 2011


Once you have made the decision to move forward with pursuing your career as an auto technician and you are aware of what it means to be an auto technician, you can began to further your path. To be clear about what an auto technician does we will discuss the definition. Auto technicians or mechanics are those who will repair or replace parts on a damaged car.

Also known as mechanics, these technicians can not only repair a damaged vehicle to like new status, but they are also trained to be capable of performing routine maintenance on any given vehicle. As a part of their training, they are taught about how to keep a car in good running condition as well as repairs.

Because cars are diverse in build, when coming across a damaged vehicle, the damage done to that vehicle could pose a challenge to the auto technician that has to repair that vehicle. This is where the skills of someone with specialized training will be able to do the necessary replacement and repairs.

When the technician has this type training, they are trained on how to maneuver and understand the inner and outer workings of an automobile. The intensive training that they will receive will be combined with learning techniques from within the classroom as well as techniques taught outside the classroom.

The trade or technical schools that offers this type of specialized training will have programs that can last anywhere from a six month to a one year program. Before you sign up with any one school, you need to ask yourself if the school that you are interested in can meet your long term needs and if that school can match your personal needs when it comes to the length of the program, scheduling and other factors that will help you to succeed.

By: John G White

About the Author:
Find out more about Automotive Technology, go to this Auto Body Schools in Stamford CT website, and prepare for a rewarding automobile repair technician career!



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Auto Body Certificate and Degree Options

Posted by admin on January 29th, 2011


Students who are looking to gain the accredited education needed to become auto body workers, can do so by enrolling in an accredited vocational school or college. Students have a number of educational options to choose from when looking to obtain training in the auto body field. Training can provide students with the skills needed to work in a variety of automotive fields. Schooling is available to students at various certificate and degree levels. Students can start by learning more about the options available to them.

Certificate training programs are available for students who wish to gain an accredited education in the auto body field. Length of program may vary by school or college as well as each individual student’s desired career. Study can range from six to eighteen months and will cover a variety of subjects. Coursework may consist of subjects such as:

Structural repair Refinishing Paint Preparation Body Shop Safety Vehicle Construction Shop Tools and Equipment …and many other specific areas of study. By gaining knowledge and skills in these subjects and areas students can pursue the career they desire. Accredited certificate programs provide students with the means to enter into the workforce prepared to be successful. With a certificate in auto body students can enter into careers with: Auto Body Shops Dealerships Manufacturers Trucking Companies

…and much more. Accredited training programs will prepare students to become the auto body technicians they desire to be. A more in depth education can be received by gaining a degree in this exciting field.

Degree programs are available to provide students with the means to obtain the higher education they need in order to pursue their desired career. Career training is available at the associate degree level of education. Accredited vocational and trade schools can offer students the education they desire at this level. Coursework will vary by training program but may consist of courses in welding, minor metal repair, repair shop management, structural damage repair, computer technology, collision repair and many other relevant subjects of study. With an education in areas such as these students will have the opportunity to seek out their desired career. With an accredited associate level degree in this field graduates can find employment in a number of places such as:

Collision Shops Maintenance Facilities Bus Lines

…and many other places. Training will allow students to pursue careers as auto body technicians, and seek out the employment they desire.

Accredited continuing education courses are available for those looking to enhance their skills in certain areas of the field. Accredited schools and colleges can provide students with the best quality education available to them. Full accreditation is provided by agencies like the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology ( http://www.accsc.org/ ). Students can research auto body training programs to learn more about their desired career and level of education needed. Start by enrolling in the program of your choice today.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.

Copyright 2010 – All rights reserved by PETAP.org.

By: Renata McGee

About the Author:
Renata McGee is a staff writer for PETAP.org. Locate Campus Based Auto Body Schools and Colleges as well as Online Automotive Schools and Colleges at PETAP.org, your Partners in Education and Tuition Assistance Programs.



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Why Choose Collision Repair As a Career and What to Look For in a School

Posted by admin on January 29th, 2011


Why choose collision repair as a career pathway?

Hands-on: Why should your job be boring and dreadful? You can earn income doing the things you like to do. If you’re someone that likes working with your hands, a high-tech environment and you enjoy being able to step back and see the results of your work; then collision repair may be a good fit for you.

High income potential: I-Car Education Foundation completed a survey, showing the average income that a collision repair technician earns. You may be surprised that the average income of $51,312 is higher then many other comparable trades. In fact, the top 10% earn $88,460. Although, just like with any career, you shouldn’t expect this your first year on the job. These are the incomes you can expect to make with experience and commitment.

Job Security: As roads and highways become more populated with vehicles, the results are more auto accidents. Unfortunately, the automotive industry is not finding enough trained technicians to properly repair these modern day vehicles. This means job security for you.

Work will never be outsourced: Think about it! Could you imagine a damaged vehicle being loaded on a ship, taken overseas, repaired, and shipped back to the customer…it’s not going to happen. We need trained collision and paint technicians right here in the United States, in every state and every city to repair our cars. As a technician, you will never have to worry about your job being outsourced.

What are some of the things to consider when choosing a school to attend?

NATEF certified: Make sure the school is a National Automotive Technician Education Foundation (NATEF) accredited. This gives you peace of mind knowing that the school has met the NATEF standards and is a quality school. NATEF is national recognized in the automotive industry and will give you a competitive edge, when you pursue a job. In order to be NATEF accredited, all instructors must be Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified to teach. This means that you will have competent instructors to ensure your success in the future.

I-Car affiliation: Make sure the school is affiliated with I-Car. I-Car is an organization that helps the collision industry with on-going training. They provide training to technicians already on the job and they provide curriculum and support to colleges and technical schools to prepare students for the world-of-work. I-Car is known throughout the collision industry and will give your potential employer another perk to hire you.

Where do I find a school like this and how do I enroll?

1. Call the school to set up a time you can visit with them and ask to tour the collision repair program.

2. Is the collision program accredited? If so, who are they accredited through?

3. Are they affiliated with I-Car and what curriculum do they use?

4. Ask if one of the program instructors are available to speak with. You can ask them program specific questions. This will give you a better feel of the program and the instructors.

5. What is their student per instructor ratio?

6. Find out what requirements, tools, tuition,and fees are required.

7. Have them explain the difference between a certificate and an associates degree. (some technical schools do not offer associates degrees)

8. Does the college have any articulation agreements with any other schools, which allows the student to transfer into a four-year university?

9. Once you feel you have made the correct decision, ask them to direct you to an advisor. The advisor will walk you through the steps to get you enrolled.

By: Donnie A Smith

About the Author:
I am the lead collision repair instructor for a community college. I invite you to my free online training to learn how to perform car paint jobs. There you will learn more about the collision repair as a career or learn enough to do it as a hobby.



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