Collision Repair Technology

DON’T GET BENT OUT OF SHAPE OVER YOUR FUTURE. Become a Collision Repair Technician and learn to straighten damaged cars and your future. You will learn many techniques seen on the TLC channel with host “Chip” Foose and others.

The Collision Repair Technology course at SUN Tech is the first in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be evaluated by the “National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation, Inc.” (NATEF) and become certified by the “National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence” (ASE).

The course includes theoretical study and practical application in all areas related to the collision repair industry including major and minor collision repair, MIG welding, base-clear and tri-coat refinishing, color matching and blending, SMC and urethane plastic repair, glass service, and supplement restraint systems. You will be evaluated on practical hands-on application skills and through ASE type-written examinations. You may be eligible for one year service credit toward applying for ASE certification in any or all of the four specialized technical areas within the trade. Related areas of employment are: insurance adjuster, automotive refinish, parts and sales, and assembly line refinishing.

Post-Secondary Opportunities

Students attending the Collision Repair Technology program can earn the following college credits while attending SUN Tech through the Penn College Dual Enrollment program:

# NAME CREDITS
ABC100 Introduction to Non-Structural Collision Repair 2 Credits
ABC104 Introduction to Non-Structural Collision Repair Applications 3 Credits

The inner industry on collision repair or better known as I-CAR offers training for experienced technicians, for higher pay or a position change as well as people who want to retrain for a career. I-Car was founded in 1979 amidst the recognition that the North American automobile would be changing rapidly. The collision repair insurance industries would both have to adapt to these changes in order to efficiently serve their mutual customer, the car owner. Knowledge of the vehicle and emerging repair procedures would have to be taught, on a mass basis, to respond to a common need: training. These six Industry segments are:

  • Collision Repair Business
  • Insurance Companies
  • Auto Manufacturers
  • Equipment, Tool, and Supplies Manufactures and Distributors
  • Education, Training and Research Organizations
  • Suppliers of Related Industry Services

This cooperation did not materialize immediately. It took years of concentrated effort by many hard-working, dedicated people to bring it to where it is today. It will continue to require this cooperative spirit for I-CAR, and our industries, to meet the challenges of the future.

Certifications

You will have instruction in State-of-the-Art I-CAR certified repair techniques in the following areas:  Non-structural analysis and damaging repair, painting and refinishing, plastics and adhesives, structural, analytic and damage repair.

  • OSHA Automotive 10 Hr.
  • S/P2 Safety

Employment

Job opportunities are many for Collision Repair Technicians. With the advanced technology of today’s automobiles, many shops take a team approach to repair much like an assembly line. We have prep people, frame repairmen, metal workers, plastic repairmen and painters. These are the technicians, but let’s not forget about the people who estimate and appraise collision damage for the shop or for the insurance companies.

The industry is in need of young, bright, highly motivated individuals who possess creative, artistic talents that will allow them to become the craftsman needed to repair these new vehicles.

In this area, the average skilled technician earns between $15.00 and $20.00 per hour. The average starting wage for students released on co-op is approximately $10 per hour.

Program of Study

Collision Repair Technology is a SOAR approved program of study. This means that successful completion of this program earns you college credits that can be transferred to participating state colleges and universities.

Download Program of Study

Program Uniform

This program requires students to come to school in a program-approved uniform. Please print the form provided and submit to purchase approved program attire.

Download Uniform Order Form