2 answers
Jack
Student
Oak Harbor, Ohio
1
Question
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What is the best way to learn automotive?
What can I do to ensure a secure path to body repair?
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2 answers
Neeti Verma
2
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Neeti’s Answer
not working in the field but trying to answer a question that I have limited in-hand experience on. But I'll recommend a few things:
1. focus on completing your education - GED/high school diploma
2. try and reach out to a few people that work in the industry. I am not sure if LinkedIn would have professionals in the field, but I'll say try going to local/dealerships with automotive repair facilities and ask them how to break into the career field.
3. my understanding is that community college etc. should have a vocational course on these skills. Inquire there. My understanding is that proficiency with tools and processes like sanding, welding, metalworking, painting, and using diagnostic equipment etc. are needed to be successful.
4. try internship/apprenticeships and on-job training.
Hope this helps!
1. focus on completing your education - GED/high school diploma
2. try and reach out to a few people that work in the industry. I am not sure if LinkedIn would have professionals in the field, but I'll say try going to local/dealerships with automotive repair facilities and ask them how to break into the career field.
3. my understanding is that community college etc. should have a vocational course on these skills. Inquire there. My understanding is that proficiency with tools and processes like sanding, welding, metalworking, painting, and using diagnostic equipment etc. are needed to be successful.
4. try internship/apprenticeships and on-job training.
Hope this helps!
Stefan Aubertin
General Manager
2
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Stefan’s Answer
A couple ideas here.
I agree with the earlier comment about completing GED. Also, consider springing for some i-car certficiations. This will do a couple things: it will help enhance your expertise and 2nd, it will show bodyshop managers that you are serious about the craft.
Most of the major trade schools like Universal Technical Institute have collision programs. You can also check with local community colleges to see if they have an auto repair program and if collision repair is part of the cirriculum. Even if you cannot enroll in these programs, you can do some exploration, perhaps connect with staff and faculty to get in the loop on what they offer. Virtually all of these schools have some kind of support for job placement - (I was a regular guest at UTI career fairs and 3 or 4 community colleges as an employer of automotive technicians. Although I was focused on mechanical, collision repair employers were represented there).
Last idea.. particularly if you've done these first two, try contacting major local collision centers and ask if you can meet the manager to talk about a career in the industry. They are likely all pretty busy, but you might be able to find one willing to meet for brief discussion and it would help you build your network.
I agree with the earlier comment about completing GED. Also, consider springing for some i-car certficiations. This will do a couple things: it will help enhance your expertise and 2nd, it will show bodyshop managers that you are serious about the craft.
Most of the major trade schools like Universal Technical Institute have collision programs. You can also check with local community colleges to see if they have an auto repair program and if collision repair is part of the cirriculum. Even if you cannot enroll in these programs, you can do some exploration, perhaps connect with staff and faculty to get in the loop on what they offer. Virtually all of these schools have some kind of support for job placement - (I was a regular guest at UTI career fairs and 3 or 4 community colleges as an employer of automotive technicians. Although I was focused on mechanical, collision repair employers were represented there).
Last idea.. particularly if you've done these first two, try contacting major local collision centers and ask if you can meet the manager to talk about a career in the industry. They are likely all pretty busy, but you might be able to find one willing to meet for brief discussion and it would help you build your network.