BCRN August Newsletter

But I’ve Already Done That!

The first class in the collision repair program is a tough one. There is a lot of classroom work before we can participate in the shop. We must learn proper safety procedures and the hazards involved with a collision repair shop. The students are always ready to get to the shop by the time we get this completed.

The first class in the shop Is welding. And I always start this class off with the same story because I know there will be a few students that think that they have it mastered after a day or two of practice. Therefore, I talk about baseball. The first thing you do when learning how to play baseball is to learn how to catch, throw and bat. As you advance to the next league, you get better and learn a few more things, but you’re still focused on three things catching, throwing and batting. During high school baseball you will start throwing harder, catching better and batting farther. Of course you learn better ways to play defense and different ways to throw, pitch and hit the ball. However, the three same principles apply. In College and even Major League guess how they warm up and practice? I bet you can guess it, they’re still practicing the same things. During their entire childhood, college days and career has been spent doing the same thing day after day. That is how they got so good at what they do.

I encourage all students to start this class with the same perspective. Learn it correctly and practice it over and over. Practice does not always make perfect, but practicing doing it the correct way makes perfect. Therefore, I do not want to hear that you have welding mastered after a few days or weeks. You can always improve. Always look for ways to become better.

Think Like A Champion – Don’t Be A Know It All

In Donald Trump’s new book “Think Like a Champion”, he says “Being a know-it-all is like shutting the door to great discoveries and opportunities.” Another statement he makes in his book that I agree with is “The more you learn, the more you realize what you don’t know.” That is very true for me. With the complexity and changes being made to today’s vehicles makes this statement ring true to this industry.

This is something else that I point out to the students. Always be willing to learn. Even the most successful of businessmen does not know it all, it’s alright for you not to know it all either. Start this class with an open mind. You don’t have to agree with everything, but you need to be willing to listen, learn and decide if you agree or not. Don’t just shut the door and assume that you don’t need to know the material presented.

I have not had a problem with this, this year. I just wanted to address a few issues that have surfaced in the past.

First Year Students

The first year students have been busy on the computer learning about vehicle design, safety, and hazardous materials. They are eager to get this portion of the program completed so we can spend a lot more time in the shop performing hand-on activities. In next month’s newsletter, we’ll discuss welding.

Second Year Students

The second year students have been learning about weld-on panels. We’re learning how to take them off and use welds and adhesives to reinstall the panel to the vehicle. This includes: door skins, roof panels and quarter panels. This is where the welding in the first year comes in handy. However, adhesives are becoming used more to install non-structural parts.
They have already started working on live work. They perform the job from start to finish. Everything from estimating the repair to washing the vehicle to prepare for pick up. This will give them a well rounded idea of what all goes into a repair from start to finish. This will also allow the student to determine what they may want to specialize in. Most shops have collision repair techs, frame techs, paint techs, and mechanical techs. I encourage students to follow what they are most passionate about. After completing the program they need to focus on quality. Speed will follow!

Chicago Pneumatic

Chicago Pneumatic Tools awarded the Butler Community College with seven 3/8 impact wrenches.

Last year Tomorrow’s Technician and Chicago Pneumatic named Butler’s Auto Tech and Collision Repair as one of the Top 20 Auto Tech and Collision Repair Schools in The Country. This included tech schools, high schools and community colleges.

We feel it is an honor to be named as one of the top 20 schools and we thank Tomorrow Technician and CP Tools for all they do for the auto and collision repair schools.

Students Holding 3 of 7 Donated Impact Wrenches From CP Tools

Student Blogs

We Are Back At It Again
By Jon

Well, The first weeks of classes are done, and wow did it go by quick. It was nice to get back into the shop i am amazed how little i actually forgot over the summer. We got the Quarter pulled off of the parts cavalier, so hopefully now we can get that car out of the shop, and Jose spent a whole day buffing his truck and WOW! did that thing shine.
READ MORE

First Year Students
By Samuel

We’ve almost made it through the first class. Not quite what any of use expected. We covered a very broad amount of information in a short amount of time and didn’t get much shop time. I think all of us are looking forward to being out in the shop for some hands on learning.
READ MORE

Off To A Good Start

Classes are full and I have some eager students with a lot of enthusiasm this year. I am interested to see what all talents and skills the students have. Many times the students already have the talent, I’m just here to help them discover what they are and help them strengthen them.

Check Back Often As We Will Blogging What Is Going On In Our Program. Stay Updated With Projects, The Program, Industry Issues and Whatever Else We Decide To Blog About.

Industry Training

There is a new ASA Collision Repair Chapter in Wichita, Kansas. We had ASE Vise President as our guest speaker last month. If you’re a business leader that is concerned about training and providing customers the best service possible, I invite and encourage you to become a part of the chapter. For more information contact our chapter president:

Brad Shelton, Shelton Collision Repair
316-788-1528 / [email protected]

or visit ASA MoKan

This Month ASA Meeting will be September 18, 2009 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Wichita Area Technical College Building C. You can contact Bob Smith at 816-519-9335 for additional information.

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Collision Repair Tip
“Window cleaner works well when cutting a urethane windshield out.”
~BCC Student Zan Fine
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Car Fact
The first speeding ticket was issued in 1902.
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Quote
“If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.”
Lewis Carroll
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Collision Repair Question
What are a few benefits of sectioning a part on a vehicle?
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