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Auto Collision

Industry mentors are trained to teach youth apprentices the skills and knowledge needed to find entry level employment as automotive collision technicians.

Youth apprentices rotate through four major areas at the worksite and take related classroom instruction at a local high school, technical college, or the worksite. (See Skills Standards Checklist)

The Auto Collision program has two options available. The one-year option includes two semesters of classroom instruction which support a minimum of 450 work hours. The two-year option includes four semesters of classroom instruction, which support 900 work hours.

Related Instruction Requirements

The tasks identified in the four areas are required by the National Automotive Technical Education Foundation and the Automotive Technicians of Wisconsin and include:

• Entry Level Basics for Auto Collision Repair
  Safety and environmental practices, preparing the surface for refinishing, preparing equipment, paint techniques, refinishing materials and detailing.
• Refinishing and Trim
  Preparing the surface for refinishing, working with trim, thermo moveable glass and hardware, automatic finishes, restoring corrosion protection.
• Panel Preparation and Repair
  Panel replacement and alignment, metal straightening (minor), using body filler, Mig (GMAW) welding.
• Structural and Mechanical Repair
  Identification and repair decisions, stationary glass replacement, cooling system

Skill Certificate and Advanced Standing

After successful completion of the requirements for a high school diploma and the school-based and work-based requirements for Youth Apprenticeship, the students receive a Certificate of Occupational Proficiency from the Department of Workforce Development. Students who complete the two-year Automotive Collision Youth Apprenticeship are eligible to receive six advanced standing credits from a Wisconsin Technical College that offers an Automotive Collision related associate degree program.

Downloadable Documents:

Skills Standards Checklist
Order Form from Dept. of Administration Document Sales Unit