new collision repair

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

Looking Forward

Summer Break is here, but don’t get caught like the three little pigs

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

BCRN in other places

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
asmith73@butlercc.edu

For more information about the Auto Tech program contact:
Jeremy Carlson
Auto Tech Instructor
(316)322-3287
jcarlson5@butlercc.edu
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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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This is a newsletter blog that will be posted once a month to highlight news, other blog posts, videos, events, and other things going on in the collision repair program. You can also listen to it on our podcast.

School of the Year Update

Butler’s Auto/Collision programs were recently selected by Tomorrow’s Technician and Chicago Pneumatic Tools for being the Top Auto/Collision School of the Year. Allthough Butler did not make it to the top 4 finalist, I still consider Butler winners for making it to the Top 20 and for being the only school in Kansas to be selected as a finalist. I am grateful for that and feel that is a big accomplishment. I want to thank TT and CP for selecting us as the top 20 and for all they do.

First Year Students

The first-year student have been busy performing minor body repairs, block sanding, priming, paining, clear coating, and buffing. They have been doing complete panels; however, they were slightly discouraged when they watched me put deep key scratches in their painted, cut and polished panels. First, they need to learn proper spraying techniques and overlap patterns. Painting and clear coating the entire panel is excellent practice to learn these skills. However, many times, a technician will not paint the whole part. They will repair the damage and paint only the damaged area and blend into the panel or adjacent panels. Then clear coat is applied to the whole panel. The key scratch will give them feather edging and blending practice.

We’ve also have started discussing how to measure unibody and frame damage. We went over vehicle construction, the different types of frame, (body-over-frame, unibody, space frame) and different methods of how to measure them. We’ve covered tram gauges, mechanical, computerized, and sonic systems. We will not actually get into pulling methods until we return in August. These students are well on their way to becoming well rounded technicians.

Second Year Students

Second-year students are on the downhill slope and have almost completed the program. However, this program is not simple to complete. It takes a lot of knowledge and dedication to make it this far. So I commend the students that have worked hard and made it to this point. They will have a strong foundation to become a professional technician; however, I make it clear to the students that the training will not be over. Cars are becoming more complex and training will be an ongoing process. I certainly do not want any of them to enter the work industry with an “know-it-all” attitude. A good attitude and willingness to learn is the key of being a top performer in the collision industry.

In their class, we’ve been discussion sectioning procedures on structural parts. Building inserts for rails, rocker panels, etc. Once we’re through this class we will learn more about paint problems, detailing, final inspection after the repair have been completed, and giving the vehicle back to the customer in it’s pre-accidental condition. Then it’s time for them to enter the “world of work.”

BCC Student Wins Trip to WIN Conference

BCC Student wins an all expense paid trip to attend the 2009 Women’s Industry Network (WIN) in Dallas, Texas. This is an organization for all of the women involved in the collision repair industry. To learn more about WIN and the conference, read Jenni’s post.

New Advisory Board Members
I would like to thank our new collision repair advisory board members. New members are Arlie Ovreton from Arlies Paint, Body and Glass in Marion, Kansas; Brian Hollis from Xtreme Motorsport Inc. in El Dorado, Kansas; and Mitch Speck from Auto Craft in Wichita, Kansas. The time they volunteer helps us produce superior technicians in the collision industry. Thanks for your support!

Instructor Training

Jeremy and I attended Vision Hi-Tech Training and Expo in Overland Park, Kansas. There I attended some I-CAR classes over water borne paint, drivability issues, and steering. Jeremy attended some automotive classes. We were in different classes, so I’m not sure what all his classes were about. I believe that he has been doing some hybrid training.

Looking Forward

It’s That Time Again – Enrollment for Fall

It’s hard to believe it is that time again. However, if your interested in enrolling in this program, you better move fast. In order to provide you the best training experience, the collision repair program will only accept 15 students. Once the program is full, you will have to wait another year as we only enroll in August for this program. Don’t be left behind, take control and get enrolled. Enrollment starts Monday, 4/6/2009. For more information about enrollment and to determine if collision repair is right for you, visit enrollment POST.

Skills USA

Collision Repair and Automotive students will be competing in the SkillsUSA later this month. I am new to this competition, so I’m not sure what to expect. We’ll let you know how it goes.

Blogs and videos found in the media.

Butler’s Bid on Tomorrow’s Technician

You can watch all of our videos on our YouTube BCRN channel at www.YouTube.com/ButlerCollision

BCRN in other places

Join us on FaceBook. We have a group for all collision repair schools, students, and technicians to network. Join this group

Contact Information

For more information about the Collision Repair program contact:
Donnie Smith
Lead Collision Instructor
(316)323-6890
asmith73@butlercc.edu

For more information about the Auto Tech program contact:
Jeremy Carlson
Auto Tech Instructor
(316)322-3287
jcarlson5@butlercc.edu
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Collision Repair Tip
It is important to plan your work before beginning repairs. Just jumping in and pulling a frame without proper planning is a plan for failure. So here’s your tip. Plan you work, then work your plan.

Fact
Butler’s Auto/Collision programs were named among the top Auto/Collision 20 schools by Tomorrow’s Technician and Chicago Pneumatic Tools.

Quote
People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing-that’s why we recommend it daily.
~Ziglar, Zig

Question
(1) What is the first type of frame damage that usually occurs in a front-end collision? (2) Why does that happen first in most cases? (3) Why is this important to know? If you know 1 or all of the answers, I invite you to leave us a comment.

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