Automotive Collision Repair
Mr. Ronald Moore
Automotive Collision Repair is a high-demand career that combines technical skill with creativity and precision. Collision specialists restore vehicles after accidents, blending craftsmanship with modern technology. This work calls for steady hands, problem-solving ability, and pride in producing a finished product that looks and performs like new.
Our Automotive Collision Repair program is part of the Transportation, Distribution & Logistics Career Cluster. Students in this two-year program receive classroom and lab instruction that prepares them for entry-level positions in the collision repair industry.
What you’ll do:
- Learn unibody and full-frame structural repair
- Practice welding, estimating, and refinishing
- Gain skills in automotive electricity, air conditioning, and safety restraints
- Explore advanced estimating, shop management, and custom refinishing techniques
Certifications you can earn:
- Tier 1: OSHA-10
- Tier 2: I-CAR Certifications (ProLevel 1)
- Tier 3: Advanced I-CAR Certifications
Students earn two high school credits each semester and up to eight credits over the two-year program. Credits count as electives toward South Carolina graduation requirements, and one credit may fulfill the CATE/Foreign Language requirement.
Visit us: Are you interested in meeting Mr. Moore and touring our Automotive Collision Repair lab? After-school tours for prospective students and parents are available in December, January, and February. We’d love to show you the program and answer any questions you may have.
Year One: Building the Foundation
Automotive Collision Repair 1 & 2 — (AM Session at Enoree)
Year one of the Automotive Collision Repair program introduces students to the core skills of the trade through classroom learning and extensive lab work designed to build both confidence and technical ability. Open to rising 10th and 11th graders, students attend Enoree Career Center during the morning session as part of their two-year commitment. Training emphasizes shop safety and develops foundational skills in metal straightening, MIG welding, plastic repair, and detailing. Students also learn to repair, replace, adjust, and install trim and accessories while gaining experience in researching and purchasing used vehicles for quality repair projects that mirror industry practices.
As students advance through Collision Repair 2, the training expands to include more advanced techniques and greater attention to accuracy and finish quality. Instruction covers advanced metalworking and fabrication, panel replacement, body alignment, refinishing, painting, and detailing with industry-level tools and materials. Students study the measuring, pulling, and straightening of collision-damaged vehicles and apply this knowledge to real-world repair simulations.
Instruction is split between classroom and shop time, with approximately 20% focused on theory and technical knowledge and the majority dedicated to supervised lab work. Students also begin learning the professional habits of collision technicians, such as time management, precision in estimating, and teamwork in shop environments—skills that prepare them for advanced coursework and eventual work-based learning placements in year two.
Year Two: Advancing the Skills
Automotive Collision Repair 3 & 4 — (PM Session at Enoree)
Year two of the Automotive Collision Repair program challenges students to apply and expand on the skills learned in year one while preparing for advanced certifications and industry-level expectations. Students attend Enoree Career Center during the afternoon session as part of their two-year commitment. Training moves beyond the basics into advanced estimating, shop management procedures, and custom refinishing techniques. Students refine their skills in welding, metalworking, and structural analysis, while also exploring advanced applications in collision repair technology. Emphasis is placed on producing high-quality finishes, mastering modern repair processes, and developing the leadership and efficiency expected in professional repair shops.
As students progress through Collision Repair 3 and 4, they engage in complex repair projects that mirror real-world industry demands. Instruction covers advanced panel replacement, frame alignment, precision measuring systems, and custom refinishing. Students are expected to demonstrate both technical skill and attention to detail while managing repair tasks to industry standards.
A key part of year two is participation in work-based learning placements with local dealerships and repair facilities. These opportunities allow students to apply classroom instruction in professional environments, gain valuable on-the-job training, and build connections with employers in the field. Students also prepare for advanced I-CAR certifications, leaving the program with the technical expertise, industry-recognized credentials, and real-world experience needed to transition confidently into technical college, apprenticeships, or immediate employment in the collision repair industry.
Career Opportunities
Paint Technician
Paint Technicians specialize in painting new vehicles, conducting paint repairs, or providing custom paint services. Their tasks often include meeting with clients to identify their needs and preferences, developing strategies and concepts, and adhering to schedules and formats.
Salary - $37,602 per year on average, or $18.08 per hour
Auto Body Technician
An auto body technician is responsible for assessing vehicle damage and conducting repairs after evaluating the cost estimates. Technicians' duties include determining the extent of damage, repairing damage, and meeting customers' expectations through appropriate repair and modifications.
Salary- $39,232 per year on average, or $18.86 per hour
Insurance Adjuster
An insurance adjuster investigates an insurance claim to determine if the insurer should pay for damage or injuries and, if so, how much they should pay. They assess the damage to the vehicle and its occupants and explore what it would cost to cover the cost of the damage. Adjusters will also work with customers to get your vehicle inspected or set up repairs on your behalf.
Salary - $57,315 per year on average, or $27.56 per hour
Job Skills & Requirements
Each skill and trade requires a specific set of skills needed to master the content and job tasks. Below are a few critical skills and requirements needed to succeed in the program and throughout a career in this field.
- Environment: Be willing to work in an environment that can be noisy, dusty, and have strong fumes and wear protective gear such as a respirator mask
- Critical Thinking: Auto body techs must be able to look at a damaged vehicle and assess what it will take to repair it, and calculate the cost.
- Customer Service: Working with customers in a stressful situation, like after an accident, needs to be handled calmly and in a friendly way.
- Attention to Detail: A good eye for detail is necessary when trying to get a car back to looking like new.
- Dexterity: Auto body techs need a free range of motion in their hands and arms to work with small parts and small spaces.
- Technical Skills: Auto body techs use a wide range of tools and equipment to assess and repair cars.
Available Certification Opportunities
(Click logos below for more information)
Local Work-Based Learning Partners
(Click logos below to visit our partners)
NOTE: Credits earned will count as electives needed for the SC high school graduation requirements. One of the credits earned may fulfill the CATE/Foreign Language requirement for SC high school graduation. Most 4-year colleges will NOT accept career center courses as a substitute for the foreign language college admissions requirement.