Finding and Keeping that Dream Job as a Collision Repair Technician

You might be wondering how you can get hired to work as a collision repair technician in the auto body industry. Collision repair technicians are involved in the day to day work at any body shop, and they get to lay their hands on twisted steel and return it to its former glory. There are a few different paths to take on the way to this challenging career.

The original method of getting involved in auto body repair was to become an apprentice and learn exclusively on the job from an experienced professional. Candidates would find a local shop that was willing to take them in, and they would perform a number of menial maintenance and cleaning tasks there in exchange for the chance to squeeze in a few hours alongside a technician per day.

To a certain extent, this still occurs in modern shops. However, the level of education necessary to truly master the work of a collision repair technician has risen dramatically over the past decade or so. Technicians now require excellent reading comprehension skills in order to make their way through vehicle repair manuals and other documentation surrounding the equipment and computer software they use during their work. Math and computer skills are also quite important, which means that at least a high school education is necessary to have a chance in this competitive field.

A more surefire way to get a foothold in this profession is to combine hands-on experience with the knowledge that can be gained at collision repair schools. These schools provide the training you will need to learn the techniques required in the repair of increasingly sophisticated automotive body work. Painting, rust repair, electrical and light repair, frame alignment, and welding are just some of the many different areas that collision repair schools touch upon in their specific auto body classes. You will also have the chance to acquire specific credentials such as DuPont Refinishing, I-CAR, and NATEF / ASE. Being introduced early to these industry standards will give you a leg up on the competition when it comes time to find a job.

Becoming certified by one of the country’s collision repair schools demonstrates to an employer that you have a high level of knowledge with regards to the craft that you wish to practice at their shop. This makes you a far better candidate for getting in on the ground floor and furthering your education with real world experience. Graduating from one of these programs also indicates that you have the dedication and focus to take on a task and then see it through to the end – an important quality that is highly prized by hiring managers. Those who are in charge of a body shop are very busy people, and they need to hire workers whom they are sure can be relied on to do the job right, show up every day and give a consistent effort. Possessing these qualities – and a diploma – will do far more than just get your foot in the door when it comes time to get an interview and start your new career.