Automotive Technology and Collision Academy

Students gain hands-on experience repairing, customizing, fabricating, painting and detailing vehicles using the latest industry equipment and technology. The program prepares students to meet the growing demand for highly skilled auto collision technicians by equipping them to work with a wide range of materials commonly used in modern vehicles. Students will gain invaluable knowledge and hands-on experience with industry ICAR standards and walk away with ICAR Certifications and skill booklets.

Second-year students have the opportunity to apply their skills in real-world settings through internships at local collision repair shops or other collision-related fields because collision is more than body and paint. Second-year students also have the opportunity to earn 609 Certification and welding certification, depending on the career they want to pursue and their hands-on knowledge/expertise. These students can again gain invaluable knowledge and hands-on experience with all industry ICAR standards and walk away with ICAR Certifications and skill booklets, as well as be recognized on a national level.

With a current shortage of automotive collision repair technicians, this challenging field offers strong career opportunities and long-term rewards. Throughout the program, students are exposed to new and emerging technologies used in the auto body collision repair and welding industry. With the ever changing field, our program stays up-to-date with the latest trends to make sure that graduating students have the best opportunity to get placed in the career they expect in the collision field.

This program provides students with the technical skills, industry knowledge, and professional
certifications needed to succeed in the auto body and auto collision repair field.

General Skills and Tasks of a Collision Repair Technician Include:

• Preparation for I-CAR Exams
• Alignment
• Dent removal
• Compounding and polishing
• Vehicle detailing
• Diagnosing and estimating collision damage
• Metal work
• Painting and refinishing
• Welding
• Mixing and matching paint colors
• Vehicle wrapping and computer graphics

Program Studies Year II

Advanced Training and Certification Preparation:

• Preparation for I-CAR Exams
• Alignment
• Electrical systems
• Steering and suspension systems
• Welding
• Electrical/ADAS
• Air-conditioning
• Estimating and appraising vehicle damage
• Entrepreneurship and shop operations
• Professional certifications

Industry Certifications May Include:

• I-CAR
• Safety, Welding and Pollution Prevention (SP2) Safety Certification
• 609 Certification

College Articulations

Alfred State College, Lincoln Tech-Mahwah, Lincoln Tech-Nashville, Ohio Technical College, SUNY Delhi, SUNY Morrisville, University of Northwest Ohio

Professional Certifications

Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), I-CAR

Career Options

Collision Repair Technician/Assistant, Claims Adjustor/Estimator, Detailer, Custom Paint & Graphics, Shop Owner/Manager

The increasing use of advanced technology in automobiles is leading to new opportunities for technicians, especially those with specialized skills or certifications. Students with good diagnostic and problem-solving abilities, training in electronics, and computer skills are expected to have the best opportunities.

Through the nationally recognized Automotive Youth Educational Systems program, students participate in internships at local dealerships during the summer and school year that many times lead to paying jobs. For more information, go to www.ayes.org,  www.ase.com, or  www.natef.org.

Students in this program have an opportunity to enroll in Rockland Community College’s High School Enrichment Program, which allows them to earn college credits. Articulation agreements with other colleges and institutions also exist.

Program Studies I, II

Preparation for ASE Certification Exams

• Hand Tools & Equipment
• Brake Systems
• Engine Performance
• Engine Repair
• Electrical/Electronic Systems
• Four Stroke Theory
• Safety
• Steering & Suspension
• Entrepreneurship

* The Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Exam can be used as a replacement for the US History or Global History exam for graduation requirements.

College Articulations

Rockland Community College (3 dual credits), Alfred State College, Lincoln Tech-Mahwah, Lincoln Tech-Nashville, Ohio Technical College, SUNY Delhi, SUNY Morrisville, University of Northwest Ohio

Professional Certifications

Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)

Career Options

Service Technician, Parts Specialist, Service Writer, Alignment Specialist, Brake Specialist, Exhaust & Emissions Control Specialist, Shop Owner/Manager