Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing Technician - Technical Diploma

This course introduces the learner to the collision repair industry. Topics discussed include professionalism, safety, industry terminology, and the use of basic hand and power tools and equipment. This course also allows the learner the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge of sheet metal characteristics and straightening techniques. Competencies of this course will be delivered using NWTC props.

Students gain skills that lead to success in college and employment. This course encourages students to develop a growth mindset and make wise choices. Students should take this course in their first semester. (Pre-requisite: None.)

This course introduces the learner to automotive refinishing. Topics discussed include automotive paints, personal and shop safety, environmental regulations, refinishing equipment operation and maintenance, spray gun set-up and transfer efficiencies, and vehicle detailing. Competencies of this course will be delivered using NWTC props.

Removal, replacement, and storage of interior and exterior trim, disarming/arming restraint systems, adjustment to movable glass, lamps, bumpers and movable tops, and wind noise/water leak diagnosis and repair. (Corequisite: 10-405-116 Intro to Collision Repair)

Identifying different types of vehicle construction, nonstructural part identification, damage analysis and developing a repair plan, time management, and replacing and aligning bolted and moveable exterior panels utilizing the appropriate tools. (Corequisites: 10-405-116 Intro to Collision Repair; 10-405-102 Coll Repair Non Structural 1)

This course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, process and understanding of identifying types of plastic used on vehicles, making repair or replace decisions, and repair techniques using plastic welding equipment and adhesives.

This course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge and skills to apply the concepts of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, measurement, proportions, and percent to their career. No prerequisites needed.

Planning the refinishing process including substrate identification, paint and rust removal, panel cleaning, selecting proper sandpaper, sanding techniques, vehicle protection, masking techniques, selecting and applying the correct undercoats, and corrosion protection products and usage. (Prerequisite: 10-405-118 Intro to Auto Refinishing)

Focus on the theory of electricity. This will include studying Ohms, Kirchoff's, and Newton's Laws and how they apply to the circuits on various electrical systems on a vehicle. Students will apply these theories to troubleshoot simple circuits.

This course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, process and understanding of locating and mixing automotive color formulas, applying sealers, single-stage, and basecoat/clearcoat finishes, and optimizing transfer efficiency. (Prerequisite: 10-405-118, Intro to Auto Refinishing; Corequisite: 10-405-107, Collision Refinish Surface Prep)

This course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, process and understanding of blending adjacent vehicle panels, blending methods for single stages and clearcoats, application and blending of automotive multi-stage finishes, refinishing defect identification, diagnosis, and repair. (Prerequisite: 10-405-118 Intro to Auto Refinishing; Corequisite: 10-405-107, Collision Refinish Surface Prep; 10-405-121, Collision Refinish Topcoat Application)

This course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of welding and cutting commonly used for collision repair. Students will learn to set up, use, and maintain welding equipment and weld a variety of types and thicknesses of steels using GMAW (MIG) welding equipment in the flat, vertical, horizontal, and overhead position. Methods of cutting covered include mechanical, oxy-fuel, and plasma arc.

This course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, process and understanding of advanced spray gun set-up considerations & techniques and using blending additives. Also included is an in-depth study of color theory, color movement, color evaluation, and color adjustment tools and techniques. Competencies of this course will be delivered through use of NWTC owned props, vehicles, and customer vehicles.

This course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop skills in auto body construction, model identification, damage analysis, parts sources, handwritten damage reports, and computerized damage reports.

This course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop skills in electrical troubleshooting for vehicle systems related to collision repair; restraint and supplemental restraint systems operations, troubleshooting, diagnosis, and repair; collision-avoidance system operation, repair, and recalibration; and hybrid/electric vehicle safety. (Prerequisite: 10-412-153 Intro to Electrical Systems)

This course provides the learner the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge gained in all prior courses on "live" vehicle repair. Emphasis will be placed on vehicle protection, use of available repair information, organization during the repair process, and completing repairs to industry standard. (Prerequisite: 10-405-103, Collision Repair Non-structural 2; Corequisites: 10-405-119, Plastic & Composite Repair; 10-405-107, Collision Refinish Surface Prep; 10-405-121, Collision Refinish Topcoat Applications; 10-405-144, Collision Repair Welding)

This course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, process and understanding of GMAW (MIG) welding steel for industry certification, GMAW (MIG) brazing, GMAW (MIG) welding aluminum, and squeeze type resistance spot welding (STRSW).

This course provides the learner the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge of performing light-level collision repairs on customer vehicles from start to finish. Emphasis will be placed on vehicle protection, use of available repair information, organization during the repair process, and completing repairs to industry standard. (Prerequisite: 10-405-125 Intro to Collision Repair Applications)

This course provides the learner the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge of performing light to mid-level collision repairs on customer vehicles from start to finish. Emphasis will be placed on vehicle protection, use of available repair information, organization during the repair process, and completing repairs to industry standard. Learners will also be introduced to adhesive bonding techniques and aluminum exterior panel repair. (Corequisites: 10-405-127, Collision Repair Applications 1; 10-405-129, Refinishing Tinting & Blending)

This course provides the learner the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge of performing light and mid-level collision repairs on customer vehicles from start to finish. Emphasis will be placed on vehicle protection, use of available repair information, organization during the repair process, and completing repairs to industry standard. Learners will also assist customers with vehicle estimates, scheduling repairs, and parts ordering. (Prerequisite: 10-405-136, Collision Repair Applications 2)

This course provides the learner the opportunity to strengthen the skills and knowledge of performing light and mid-level collision repairs on customer vehicles from start to finish. Emphasis will be placed on vehicle protection, use of available repair information, organization during the repair process, and completing repairs to industry standard along with completing repairs in the allotted time given per estimate. Learners will also assist customers with vehicle estimates, scheduling repairs, and parts ordering. (Corequisite: 10-405-138, Collision Repair Applications 3)

This course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, process and understanding of damage analysis of automotive structural components; tools and pulling equipment for structural straightening; replacing and sectioning unibody structural components; and replacing and sectioning full-frame structural components. (Corequisite: 10-405-139, Collision Repair Applications 4)

This course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, process and understanding of identifying, inspecting, and repairing or replacing both heating and cooling system components; evacuate, recharge, replace and recycle coolants and refrigerants in accordance with EPA regulations; identifying, inspecting, and repairing or replacing steering and suspension components related to collision repairs; and identifying, inspecting, and repairing or replacing brake system and fuel system components related to collision repairs. (Prerequisite: 10-405-137 Collision Related Electrical/SRS)

This course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge and skills and to restore late model vehicles. Emphasis will be placed on tear down of the vehicle, assessment of the parts, and organizing of the project. Learners will have the opportunity to fabricate damaged or missing body panels or parts. Competencies of this course will be delivered using NWTC props.