This is a newsletter blog that is April in Review and a Preview of May
RUSH RUSH RUSH
The students are getting a taste of what it is like in a real shop environment the past few weeks. As the days seem to start getting faster, the stress increases and the deadlines jump in front of us at an alarming rate. The school year is about to an end. However, the fast paced rush to meet deadlines will just be a normal day at a high production collision repair center.
I would actually like to commend the students for pulling together as a winning team to complete all of the projects we have. We are not out of the woods yet, but I believe that we should be on top of things by the end of next week. I’m impressed with the amount of work the classes were able to complete. If we were a real shop that charges labor, we’d be a very profitable shop right now. However, we’re not here to run a production shop or make money. We’re here to learn.
First Year Students
The first year students have been doing whatever it takes to get all of the live work completed. They recently learned about frame types, vehicle construction, and measuring. They are currently learning about rigid plastics and sheet molded compound replacement and repair. The students have to do more of the theory (bookwork) as homework with the increased stress to complete the projects for the year. This will be their last class this school year. When they return in August, we’ll start out learning more about weld-on panels and replacing door skins.
Second Year Students
Second-year students have almost completed this program. At this point I expect the students should be able to complete most tasks with very little supervision. They should have the basic understanding and knowledge of collision repair. However, they should not expect to know it all, as they will never know everything. Cars are very complex and the technology is changing very fast. Therefore, the students need to realize that their training and education is an ongoing process in this industry. My advice to the student’s completing the program is to enter the workforce confident in your abilities, but wise enough to know there is lot more to learn. You’ve basically built a good strong foundation to build your successful career on. How high you build the building (or level of success) is up to you.
It’s the exciting, but sad time of year
I’m excited to see my students start their new career. I’m curious to see where this training leads them in life and I hope to hear many success stories of their accomplishments. However, after working with the students for two years as a team, I am sad to see them leave. Two years sounds like a long time, but goes by so fast. I congratulate the graduating students and I wish them the best. Not all of the students that started the program were able to complete the program. It requires dedication, good grades, and hard work to make it. Therefore, the students that made it can hold their head high and have confidence that they have what it takes to make it in the collision repair industry.
Graduation will be held at the El Dorado Campus on May 16, 2009.
Skills USA
The students competed in Skills USA. This was a new experience for us, but we had a lot of fun. Zan had the highest score on plastic repair and Brandyn had the second highest score in auto estimating. To read more visit our previous post at Skills USA.
ASA Starting a New Collision Repair Chapter in Wichita, KS
ASA MOKAN is starting a new collision repair chapter, which met in Wichita; however, I was unable to make it to the meeting. Therefore, I do not have a lot of information about the chapter at this time. The next meeting is set for May 19. I plan to attend this meeting and will give you a better ASA/Wichita update on next months newsletter blog.
A New Network for the Collision Repair Industry
I am active with a Facebook Collision Repair Group and several other networks. I recently joined a new network, called Collision Hub, that you may be interested in. I invite you to join me on this group at http://collisionhub.ning.com/profile/DonnieSmith I look forward to seeing you there.
You’d Want One Too – Jenni’s “Vette” story
We’ve all heard the story “The Three Little Pigs” and you know that the first two pigs were not prepared for the wolf. Well, getting your career kicked off is kinda the same way. For instance, the first little pig made his house out of straw. When the wolf came, he huffed and puffed and blew the house down. You may have an idea of what you want to do with your career. However, if you do not take the necessary steps to make it happen, you’ll watch your opportunity blow by. If your interested in the collision repair program, I suggest that you get enrolled today. We have limited space and it’s filling fast. I understand that summer is here, which means fun, relaxing, and a needed break; however, if you wait to enroll, you may be left out wondering what to do for the next year. I encourage you to enroll now, like the third pig that made his house out of brick. You to will be prepared and ready for the opportunities that blow your way.
For more information about enrollment and to determine if collision repair is right for you, visit enrollment post.
Finding Your Passion
Still not sure if collision repair is a fit for you. Check out our post about finding your passion and learn how others became passionate about their careers.
Career Tips from the man…Chip Foose
Join us on FaceBook. We have a group “Collision Repair Network” for technicians to network. Join this group
You can watch all of our videos on our YouTube BCRN channel
Collision Hub Network
Contact Information
For more information about the Collision Repair program contact:
Donnie Smith
Lead Collision Instructor
(316)323-6890
[email protected]
For more information about the Auto Tech program contact:
Jeremy Carlson
Auto Tech Instructor
(316)322-3287
[email protected]
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Collision Repair Tip
Final inspection and detailing is a curtail part of any repair. For example, it would not matter how well a surgeon performed a surgery, if the assistant did a sloppy job of stitching you up. The well performed surgery would be covered up by a sloppy appearance. A perfectly repaired car could leave the customer feeling the repairs are unsatisfactory, if the car is not detailed properly.
A final inspection to make sure everything is correct and cleaning the car correctly will improve customer satisfaction.
Fact
I-CAR started in 1979, which makes their 30th anniversary. 1979-2009
Quote
The secret of life is not to do what you like but to like what you do.
~Author Unknown
Question
As students now turn into employees in the collision industry, what are the most import things to remember in a job interview? What are employers looking for when hiring a new technician?
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Anonymous says
December 13, 2009 at 2:11 pmemm… nice post..