Finding Your Passion in the Collion Repair Industry

This blog is a presentation for males or females that may be interested in a Collision Repair Career.

Is it a fit for you?

Before we start, I want to emphasize that my job is not to convince you to choose collision repair. I’m here to explain the career to you, which will allow you to determine if this is a fit for you or not. If it is, I suggest that you take the next step and make it happen. If not, that is alright too, because you’re in charge of your future. Sound good?

Since many high schools no longer offer a collision repair program, you may not fully understand the different careers that the automotive industry offers. Therefore, I ask that you allow me to give you a quick lesson over the history of vehicles. 

Vehicle History Overview

They don’t make them like they used to.

The First Cars

The first motor cars were nothing more than a buggy and engine (Generally repaired by blacksmiths and carpenters. These cars were very expensive, which only the wealthy could afford)

Model T was the first car mass production on an assembly line in 1908 (Ford’s Vision was to produce an affordable car the average person could purchase)

Model T’s came in black only to keep the costs down. (The price came down once the assembly line was streamlined, but in 1908, the cost for a Model T started at $825. By 1913 the cost of the car reduced to $550)

Cars in the 1960s

Cars were made the same basic way up through the 60s

Body Over Frame

Rear Wheel Drive (Same concept, but the cars were very big, bulky, and heavy)

Except people in the 60s wanted SPEED! They achieved this with Big Block Motors, which created a lot of Horsepower. (The Birth of Hotrods, Rat Fink, Flames, and Pin Striping)

Cars in the 1970s

The government place strict fuel economy and emissions control laws

Customers demanded cars with increased fuel economy

New laws and customer demands started the automotive explosion of engineering ideas and changes in the automotive industry

Changes to comply with Demands and Laws

Smaller bodied cars and smaller engines

Aerodynamics (Increase Fuel Mileage)

Lighter cars by using different materials and designs

More work-hardened areas created during formation of panel (Body Lines)

Safety

Construction of Interstate Highways + Higher Speed Limits + More High Performance Cars = Accidents and More Deaths from Auto Accidents

Federal Laws were passed to regulate safety. These laws included:

Installation of seatbelts

Safety glass windshields

Head restraints

In 1979, the first driver side airbag was introduced

Airbags are mandatory in motor cars produced after 1990

Unibody Torque Boxes: Allow controlled twisting and crushing

Crush Zones: Made to collapse during collision (To act as an absorber, absorbing the impact)



Modern Day Cars

Carbon Fiber Parts

Aluminum Parts

More Plastic Parts

High Strength Steel

Boron Steel

Unibody Construction

Space Frame Construction

Computers

Hybrid Cars

Now they even have cars that will tell you when you’re lost, where to turn, Parallel Park for you.

Conclusion

While the modern day cars appear to be made cheap and unsafe, they are actually designed to crush or collapse, while transferring the energy around the stronger passenger compartment to protect the passengers from injury.

There is considerably more damage to modern day cars during a collision than the older vehicles, which gives the perception that “they don’t make them like they used to”. However, in reality the cars are taking the impact instead of the passengers.

The lesson was designed to give you a little history, but to also emphasize that just a hammer and dolly are not going to repair today’s cars. We need highly trained collision repair technicians to repair today’s vehicles back to their pre-accidental condition.

What Are You Passionate About

I recommend that you find what your passionate about and do it. Let’s face it, no one wants to spend the rest of their life hating their job. Life is too short…make each day count. While you’re thinking about your passions, I’ll tell you about mine and a few other stories.

Donnie’s Story

I started working on cars as a hobby when I was a kid. My father, brother and I enjoyed tinkering around with cars. In high school, I enrolled in an auto mechanics class. This class allowed us to perform the mechanical aspect as well as body work and painting. There, I painted my first car. It was a 1974 Camaro. It took me the entire year to repair all the small dents and get it painted. However, the paint job turned out awesome. I was impressed with the satisfaction of being able to stand back and see the end result. This was when I discovered that I was passionate about the collision repair pathway. From there I attended a school for collision repair and entered the field of collision repair. In 2004 I decided to take the skills that I’ve learned and teach it to others. I remain passionate about collision repair and teaching.

Jenni’s Story

Auto Collision Repair fulfills a dream for me and provides a way for me to grow in my passion. My story isn’t typical. I didn’t grow up with all my family being car people, although my dad did teach me use my hands and to find solutions. It really started as a silly hobby when I was ten to identify cars on the road by their headlights/tail lights, and body lines etc., and people’s fascination of this only encouraged me more. When it came time to go to college, I couldn’t decide. I really hated the thought of continuing education in just general studies until i figured out a degree choice, of which none of them I could see myself doing for any length of time. I wanted to pursue something that was more a part of me that I could do for the rest of my life. I consider myself artistic and my dad encouraged me to combine that with my love of cars and pursue Auto Body. I had doubts that I’d like the repair part of it, but my drive to do custom paint and the thought of being around cars, and car people all the time was enough for me to enroll at Butler. The first year was a bit awkward, I was the only girl in the class and having my own set of tools was new to me. So now I’m almost done with my second year of the program and I have gained a lot of confidence in what I’m doing, and actually love the repair part too. I’ve found out that when I graduate there are many different jobs you can have within the industry; many different choices of what you can be good at.

Anna’s Story

Watch Video



Rachel’s Story

Watch Video

Chip Foose’s Story

Jody’s Story

What if you we can teach you a skill that you are passionate about and earn an honest decent income? Would that interest you?

If so, keep reading to learn what we have to offer. If it is a fit for your needs, we’ll help you take the next step. If not, I suggest finding what you are passionate about. Fair enough?

Collision Repair Career

Job Security

As long as people continue to drive vehicles, there are going to be accidents.

As long as there are accidents, there’s going to be people required to repair those damaged vehicles.

The roads are getting busier every day with traffic as population grows.

Job not outsourced – Vehicles involved in an accident will not be shipped overseas to have repairs completed and shipped back.



This means JOB SECURITY for technicians

INCOME POTENTIAL

According to the I-CAR Education Foundation, the Collision Repair National Average Income is $51,312. The top 10% of technicians are earning over $88,000.



Job Environment

Most automotive body repair technicians work indoors and work a standard 40-hour week, Monday through Friday, although some, including the self-employed, work more than 40 hours a week. Source: US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics



Still not sure if collision repair is a fit? This may help you determine if it is or not.

This is how I-CAR says it: “If you’re someone who enjoys working with your hands, has a mechanical aptitude, takes pride in your work and is passionate about cars, then you might consider a career in collision repair. In spite of many stereotypes, the collision repair field can be very rewarding for individuals who possess the right skills and desirable attitude. In fact, most people are surprised to learn that a collision repair technician’s income, on average, is better than comparable trades. Also, an experienced technician has high-income potential, excellent job security and ample opportunities for career advancement within the entire Automotive Industry.”

Potential Jobs

A collision repair and/or refinish technician are only a few of the possible career paths this training can lead you to.

Others include:

Collision Estimator

Aviation Paint Technician

Auto Assembler

Customer Advisor

Part Specialist

Body Shop Manager

Body Shop Owner

Auto Damage Appraiser

Collision Instructor

Why Choose Butler

All of our automotive and collision repair technology programs are National Automotive Technician Education Foundation (NATEF)/Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified.

Completing a program that is (NATEF/ASE) certified gives you the competitive edge needed to get a job. (NATEF/ASE) is nationally recognized in the automotive industry.

Our program is a member with the I-CAR Industry Training Alliance, which allows you to earn I-CAR points while attending school.

We offer a very low student per instructor ratio. This allows the student to receive additional one-on-one training. You will always have a name at Butler.

More students are trained for career and technology careers by community colleges than by any other type of institution.

Butler is now the second largest community college in Kansas.

Butler has been in operation since 1942, which assure you that we have a strong foundation.

El Dorado offers a simple, hassle free, friendly environment of a small town, and all of the conveniences of a big town with Wichita only a short drive away.

Work Ethics

One of the biggest problems industry faces is poor work ethics. We emphasize work ethics. This will make you more employable and understand the expiations of the industry.

PACT Skills

Butler is also commented to develop responsible, involved lifelong learners and

to contribute to the vitality of the communities it serves. We incorporate the PACT skills into every course at Butler to achieve this level of success.

P = Personal Development Skills

A = Analytical Thinking Skills


C = Communication Skills


T = Technological Skills

From Our College President

When you call Butler, you will hear our college president say on a recording; “when you choose Butler, we choose you. When you succeed so do we.” That is what really makes us different from other schools. This means that we’re here to help you succeed ever step of the way. You’re just not going to get that level of help at every college.

Collision repair in a nutshell

Estimate (hand written and CCC computerized)

Remove Bolt-on panels (R&R, R&I, panel alignment)

Set vehicle on frame machine (Kansas Jack frame machine)

Measure Damage (Shark measuring system)

Make necessary pulls (first in last out)

Replace Weld-on panels (must learn how to weld first)

Minor damage repair (dents, plastic fillers, plastic repair, etc.)

Prep (prime, block, masking, sanding, and cleaning)

Paint Identification (how to locate paint code on vehicle, locate paint formula, mix paint)

Paint (spraying techniques)

Paint systems (single stage, two stage, three stage)

Buffing, Detailing, Final Inspection (returning to customer in pre-accidental condition)

Now the ball is in your court. What are you going to do?

I invite you and your parents to watch this presentation and contact me if you would like to take a tour of our program or ask questions that you may have.

Before I close this presentation, I encourage you to watch one more video. This video will inspire you to go out and do the things you want to do in life.

Contact Information:

Donnie Smith

Lead Collision Instructor

Butler Community College

316-323-6890

asmith73@butlercc.edu

Blog Address:

www.BCRN.BlogSpot.com

Apply and enroll online by visitinghttp://www.butlercc.edu/admissions/enroll_now.cfm