Auto Body and Collision Technician

CampusStart DateTuition/Fees
Saint JohnSeptember 2023 (Blended Delivery) Domestic | International
Apply Now
Tuition & Fees
Visit Us
Ask Us

Program Overview

From restored classics to the everyday drivers that get us around, we love our cars. When age or accidents take their toll, auto body and collision technicians are the detailed artists who put them back in showroom shape. Every vehicle is a blank canvas, and with the right know-how, you'll be ready to bring them back to as good as or better than new condition. With so many vehicles on the road, and customers looking to keep them running and looking great longer, skilled auto body technicians will always be in demand.
 
In our Auto Body and Collision Technician program, you'll learn how to repair and restore damaged motor vehicle body parts and interior finishing components, repaint body surfaces, and repair and replace automotive glass. We'll teach you how to prime, paint, weld, apply body filler, and conduct fiberglass repair. You'll also master the tools of the trade, including operating manual, electric, and pneumatic tools. And, in our fully equipped shop, you'll get the opportunity to exercise your creative skills by designing mock-ups and working on real customer vehicles. If you love cars, have an artistic and detailed eye, and aren't afraid to get your hands dirty, enroll today in the Auto Body and Collision Technician program and pursue an automotive industry career that promises to be an exciting and rewarding ride.

Duration

The requirements for this certificate program may be achieved within one academic year of full-time study.

Admission Requirements

    Profile A

  • High School Diploma or Adult High School Diploma or GED Diploma of High School Equivalency or Essential Skills Achievement Pathway: Post-Secondary Entry High School Diploma

    NB Francophone High School Math Equivalencies
    International Student Admission Equivalencies

    Career Possibilities

    Our graduates gain the skills to professionally repair and restore vehicles to the original manufacturer’s standards. When you complete the program, you’ll be ready to start your career path as an apprentice technician. You may work at automotive and truck dealerships, private body shops, custom car shops, or trucking and bus companies maintaining fleet vehicles.
     
    Experienced auto body and collision technicians often open their own shops after years of working for others. Some technicians choose to specialize in areas such as frame straightening, metalwork, or painting. Larger shops tend to employ more specialists, where smaller shops allow you to do a bit of everything. The choice is yours. Other opportunities to put your experience to work include working as an adjuster, appraising damaged vehicles and the cost to repair them, and dealing with insurance companies. As you gain experience, it is also common to advance to supervisory positions, managing a team of technicians. Many graduates who have come through our program are now in charge of hiring new people to fill positions at the shops where they work.

    Find career possibilities related to this program in Career Coach.

    Specific Considerations

    Typically, employees work indoors in an environment that can be noisy and dusty however, many shops are well ventilated to avert health risks from dust and fumes. Health and safety are important issues for these trades-people as they are frequently in contact with chemicals (e.g. paints, compounds, solvents) and physical hazards (e.g. frame equipment, sharp metal). Ongoing safety training and a good knowledge of safety standards and regulations are important.

    Key attributes for people entering this trade are: good communication skills, mechanical aptitudes, problem solving skills, an eye for detail, good colour vision, computer literacy and a commitment to ongoing training. Good physical condition and agility are important because the work often requires considerable standing, crawling, lifting, climbing, pulling and reaching.

    Technology Requirements
    NBCC is a connected learning environment. All programs require a minimum specification, including access to the internet and a laptop. Your computer should meet your program technology requirements to ensure the software required for your program operates effectively. Free wifi is provided on all campuses.

    Areas of Study

    • Mechanical and Electrical Component Repairs
    • Math Foundations
    • Ozone Depleting Substances
    • Shop Practice
    • Preparation for Vehicle Delivery
    • Vehicle Construction
    • Metal Repairs
    • Non-Structural Repairs
    • Painting Equipment
    • Refinishing
    • Workplace Safety
    • Computers
    • Welding and Cutting
    • Work Integrated Learning

    Program Courses

    Courses are subject to change.

    In this course, students become familiar with the construction of vehicles.  Students learn to repair vehicle panels, trim and hardware, glass and mountings, plastics, and aluminium body surfaces. The importance of organizing work effectively and using service manuals is also emphasized.

    Prerequisites:

    • SECU1002F
    • SECU1221G

    This course familiarizes students with paint booths, accessories, and spray painting equipment used to carry out spray paint tasks on a variety of vehicle and vehicle components.

    Prerequisites:

    • SECU1221G

    Students use knowledge of open and closed panels as they relate to vehicle construction in order to inspect and analyze the procedures required to plan the appropriate sequence of repair steps. Focus is on straightening and repairing sheet metal using a variety of body fill products and filing and grinding methodologies.

    Prerequisites:

    • SECU1002F
    • SECU1221G

    This course focuses on adjusting, repairing and replacing hinged panels that are affected by rust as opposed to impact or other damage. Students analyse the type of intervention required and carry out appropriate tasks using a variety of equipment such as welding machines, and sand blasters.

    Prerequisites:

    • WDSO1037F
    • BRDE1003F
    • SECU1221G

    The purpose of this course is to refresh skills in mathematics developed through secondary programs in areas deemed essential for the successful completion of the program. Although the topics covered in this course are common to any math program, every effort is made to illustrate their usage in the trades’ professions.

    The purpose of this practicum is to provide students with a direct, supervised practical experience. Such an experience enables students to apply the knowledge acquired during their training directly to their field of study. The applied work experience exposes the students to the trade environment and participants are expected to become members of the team in the industry site to which they are attached.

    This course provides an introduction to the meaning of community service.  Students learn how community service can enhance a student’s educational experience, personal growth, employability, and civic responsibility. Students participate in one day of volunteering to enhance their understanding of civic responsibility and to help the New Brunswick Community College realize its vision of transforming lives and communities. 

    In this course, students focus on applying communication skills in reading, writing, speaking, document use, and critical thinking to make occupation-specific communication effective and efficient while developing computer-related skills necessary to be successful in college and on the job.
     

    In this course, students focus on acquiring job search skills to gain a work-term placement as well as employment while also, developing interpersonal communication skills needed to grow their career.
     

    This course is designed to review the essential applied science skills that are taught in related courses.

    This is a 1-day environmental awareness training course based on Environment Canada's "Environmental Code of Practice for the Elimination of Fluorocarbon Emissions from Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems, 2014". It is suitable for residential, commercial, industrial, domestic, automotive and mobile applications. Specific topics covered are: CFCs and the ozone layer, isolation valving, recommended components, leak detection methods, system charging procedures, special maintenance provisions, and refrigerant recovery, reuse, recycle and reclamation equipment.

    Prerequisites:

      This course instructs students on the proper use of hand tools and shop equipment. They are also introduced to the proper use of fasteners, tubing and fittings. Motor Vehicle Body Repairer and Painter students also learn the safe use of hydraulic body jacks.

      Prerequisites:

      • SECU1221G

      A safe and healthy workplace is the responsibility of the employer and the employee. This course introduces students to the importance of working safely and addresses how employers and employees can control the hazards and risks associated with the workplace. Students will also learn about the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders including WorkSafeNB, the employer and the employee in ensuring workplaces are safe.

      This course familiarizes students with the preparation of surfaces required before refinishing or spot painting can occur. The use of primers for auto body repair and maintenance is covered.

      Prerequisites:

      • BRDE1004F
      • SECU1221G

      This course familiarizes students with vehicle body cleaning, automotive finishes, and the products used for detailing vehicles.

      Prerequisites:

      • SECU1221G

      This course familiarizes students with electric metal inert gas (MIG) welding, spot welding and metal cutting and heating.

      Prerequisites:

      • SECU1221G

      NOC Codes

      7322 - Motor vehicle body repairers

      Disclaimer: This web copy provides guidance to prospective students, applicants, current students, faculty and staff. Although advice is readily available on request, the responsibility for program selection ultimately rests with the student. Programs, admission requirements and other related information is subject to change.

      Ask us
      Career Coach