No longer accepting applications as of 2/13/2025. Prospective students, please talk with your admissions advisor for other options.

If you are interested in this program or need guidance on other options, please complete a request form to tell us about your interest. An admissions advisor will connect with you soon to help explore opportunities and answer any questions you may have.

Experience a real world experience

If you love cars and are seeking a career that offers challenging work, provides abundant opportunities for growth and advancement, and rewards hard work and dedication, think seriously about the auto collision industry. Pursuing a career in the collision industry can take your interests and talents to the next level by developing highly sought-after skills. There has never been a better time to consider a career in an industry with such excellent growth potential. Jobs in the collision industry will never be outsourced, and this job saves lives by returning safe and properly repaired vehicles to the road.

Why Consider Auto Collision Repair & Refinish Technician?

You're interested in vehicles and hands-on mechanical work.
Jobs in this industry are highly unlikely to be outsourced.
You can play a role in helping keep people safe by returning properly repaired vehicles to the road.
There are many opportunities for skilled technicians to grow and advance in this field.

Why Learn at Lakeshore?

This program is offered through our flexible competency-based education (CBE) format, which allows you to learn when you want to, progress at your own pace, and receive personalized coaching and support.
With multiple start dates year-round, start when it's convenient for you.
Learn hands-on by using state-of-the-art equipment and tools in our high-tech facility.
Our program is accredited by Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) so you'll be well prepared to take the ASE exam.

What It Takes

An interest in vehicle maintenance and aesthetics
Good communication and problem-solving skills
Ability to maintain control of tools and machines
Desire to learn software used for tasks such as estimating damage and mixing paint
Interest in operating vehicles, mechanical devices and equipment

Career Area

Transportation, Distribution and Logistics

Type

Technical Diploma

Program Number

31-405-1

Availability

CBE

Technical Diploma
2 Terms
33 Credits
Financial Aid Eligible
With multiple start dates year-round, start when it’s convenient for you.
100% CBE on campus

CBE On Campus: Flexible lab/class instruction as you complete assessments at a personalized pace.

Career Outlook

Auto Collision Repair & Refinish Technician

Median Income: $45,376.00*

POTENTIAL JOB TITLES

(Click a title for job description)

Automotive Body and Related Repairers

Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.

Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers

Replace or repair broken windshields and window glass in motor vehicles.

Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Set up, operate, or tend spraying or rolling machines to coat or paint any of a wide variety of products, including glassware, cloth, ceramics, metal, plastic, paper, or wood, with lacquer, silver, copper, rubber, varnish, glaze, enamel, oil, or rust-proofing materials. Includes painters of transportation vehicles such as painters in auto body repair facilities.

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

Appraise automobile or other vehicle damage to determine repair costs for insurance claim settlement. Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost or cost estimates and recommendations. May seek agreement with automotive repair shop on repair costs.

Disclosure:

*Lightcast/EMSI data is a hybrid dataset derived from official government sources such as the US Census Bureau,
Bureau of Economic Analysis, and Bureau of Labor Statistics. This salary data is from the Lakeshore District.

Admissions and Enrollment Flexible Learning Courses

Program Cost

Tuition Cost: $8,174.51
Book Cost: $0.00
Supply Cost: $0.00
Program Total: $8,174.51

COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION is a learning model offering far more flexibility than traditional models. Fitting college around your work and personal commitments is possible because CBE allows you to: