Auto Body Service Technology - College of Southern Idaho

Auto Body Service Technology from College of Southern Idaho is a Campus Associate Automotive degree that prepares you for a Engineering career. The Auto Body Service Technology program is a great way to start you collision repair career. This program is one of the most challenging and rewarding career paths you can undertake. If you like working with your hands, and enjoy the satisfaction of seeing a vehicle that was damaged brought back to like new condition again then this could be the career for you. General Industry Overview Auto Body technicians repair small area damage to major collision damage and paint and refinish vehicle to percise color matches. Areas of repair include: Non-structural damage anaylsis & repair; Structural damage anaylsis & repair; Mechanical & Electrical Component repair; and Painting & Refinishing. An increase of more than 50,000 new jobs are expected by 2012 and is listed as the 14th fastest growing occupation in accordance with the Idaho Commerce and Labor Analysis Bureau dated 05/2005. Employment of automotive body repairers is expected to grow as fast as average for all occupations through the year 2014. The need to replace experienced repairers who transfer to other occupations or who retire or stop working for other reasons will account for the majority of job openings. Opportunities will be best for persons with formal training in automotive body repair and refinishing. Those without formal training in automotive body refinishing or collision repair will face competition for these jobs. Demand for qualified body repairers will increase as the number of motor vehicles in operation continues to grow in line with the Nation's population. With each rise in the number of motor vehicles in use, the number of vehicles damaged in accidents also will grow. New automobile designs increasingly have body parts made of steel alloys, aluminum, and plastics?materials that are more difficult to work with than are traditional steel body parts. In addition, new automotive designs of lighter weight are prone to greater collision damage than are older, heavier designs, so more time is consumed in repair. Job opportunities Student (during their cooperative education cycle) and entry level technicians usually start as an assistant to either a body repair technician or paint technician. They assist with disassembly and reassembly of collision damaged vehicles and refinish preparations/detailing. Gradually over a 1 to 2 year period these individuals become self sufficient and independent technicians . View more details on College of Southern Idaho . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Automotive courses.