Auto Body and Collision Technician

This trade is also referred to as Motor Vehicle Body Repairer. The work includes hammering out dents, buckles and other defects, removing damaged fenders, panels and grills and straightening bent frames. Some components may need to be removed for access during repairs. Vehicle components that are damaged beyond repair are replaced. The alignment and replacement of suspension and steering components are also performed in this trade. Technicians may work with mechanical and electronic components such as air conditioning, exhaust, drivetrain, engine cooling, and passenger-restraint systems, plus advanced electronics such as cruise control and lane-departure systems.
This work is done as preparation for filing, grinding, sanding and painting the repaired exterior and interior body surfaces. Once these repairs are completed, technicians inspect vehicles for dimensional accuracy and test drive them to ensure proper alignment and handling. Technicians must be willing to continually learn because new vehicles often include new alloys, metals and plastics in their construction.
Note: This trade is transitioning to a Pan-Canadian Harmonized program, so it is important that Apprentices understand how that impacts their training path. Details on the transition can be found via SkilledTradesBC, or contact your trainer for the most current updates.
Auto Body and Collision Technician is a nationally designated trade under the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program.
Other programs in this sector:
Recommendations
Mechanical inclination, attention to detail, and good manual dexterity is recommended, plus good colour vision.
The following education is recommended: Grade 10 or equivalent (Grade 12 preferred), including English 10, Math 10, Science 10.
The Apprenticeship Program is comprised of a common Level 1 for both Automotive Collision and Refinishing trades, with the in-school portion taking 7 weeks (210 hours) to complete. This is followed by Levels 2-to-4 of progressive technical training, with each Level requiring 6 weeks (180 hours) of in-school training. In addition, apprentices are required to accumulate 6,450 hours of work-based training.
A Foundation Program can jump-start your career without employer sponsorship by supplying the knowledge and skills to enter directly at Level 2 (refer to SkilledTradesBC for alternative pathways into the occupation).
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PROGRAM TYPES
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
---|---|---|---|---|
VCC | Broadway Campus | Jan 02 2024–Feb 09 2024 | Auto Body and Collision Technician (HL) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
VCC | Broadway Campus | Jan 02 2024–Jun 28 2024 | Automotive Collision and Refinishing Foundation Online (HL) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
VCC | Broadway Campus | Jan 02 2024–May 03 2024 | Auto Body and Collision Technician (HL) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
VCC | Broadway Campus | Jan 08 2024–May 31 2024 | Auto Body and Collision Technician (HL) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
BCIT | BBY - Burnaby | Jan 08 2024–Feb 22 2024 | Automotive Collision and Refinishing Common Core Apprentice (Harmonized) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
VCC | Broadway Campus | Feb 20 2024–Apr 05 2024 | Automotive Collision and Refinishing Common Core (HL) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
BCIT | BBY - Burnaby | Mar 04 2024–Apr 11 2024 | Auto Body and Collision Technician Apprentice (Harmonized) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
Okanagan College | 1000 K.L.O. Rd. Kelowna, BC | Apr 16 2024–May 24 2024 | Auto Body and Collision Technician | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
BCIT | BBY - Burnaby | Apr 22 2024–May 30 2024 | Motor Vehicle Body Repair Technician | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
Okanagan College | 1000 K.L.O. Rd. Kelowna, BC | May 28 2024–Jul 05 2024 | Auto Body and Collision Technician | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
VCC | Broadway Campus | Jul 29 2024–Sep 06 2024 | Auto Body and Collision Technician (HL) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
BCIT | BBY - Burnaby | Sep 03 2024–Oct 10 2024 | Auto Body and Collision Technician Apprentice (Harmonized) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
College of New Caledonia | Prince George - Main Campus | Oct 28 2024–Dec 13 2024 | Automotive Collision and Refinishing | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
VCC | Broadway Campus | Nov 04 2024–Dec 13 2024 | Auto Body and Collision Technician (HL) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
BCIT | BBY - Burnaby | Jan 06 2025–Feb 20 2025 | Automotive Collision and Refinishing Common Core Apprentice (Harmonized) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
VCC | Broadway Campus | Jan 06 2025–May 09 2025 | Auto Body and Collision Technician (HL) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
VCC | Broadway Campus | Jan 06 2025–Jul 04 2025 | Automotive Collision and Refinishing Common Core (HL) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
VCC | Broadway Campus | Jan 06 2025–Feb 14 2025 | Auto Body and Collision Technician (HL) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
VCC | Broadway Campus | Jan 13 2025–Jun 06 2025 | Auto Body and Collision Technician (HL) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
VCC | Broadway Campus | Feb 24 2025–Apr 11 2025 | Automotive Collision and Refinishing Common Core (HL) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
BCIT | BBY - Burnaby | Mar 03 2025–Apr 10 2025 | Auto Body and Collision Technician Apprentice (Harmonized) |