Automotive Collision & Refinishing Technicians work on the surfaces of motor vehicles, primarily in restoring vehicle finishes once body work has been completed. Some of the duties that an automotive refinishing technician completes include: removing layers of old coatings; matching colours and mixing paints; preparing surfaces for painting by spot filling, sanding, and masking; applying primers, primer surfacers, sealers, base coats, single-stage and clear coa​ts; cleaning and polishing painted surfaces; and applying protective coatings.​

​They may also work with estimators, partspersons, detailers, preppers, glass installers and production managers. While they may work as part of the repair team, Automotive Refinishing Technicians tend to work independently. They may work in the automotive, truck and transport, commercial transport, heavy equipment, motorcycle, specialty vehicle, aviation and aerospace sectors.

Intakes & Time Commitment

• offered at two locations
• VCC
  
• two intakes:
• Sept. 25, 2023 - June 6, 2024
• Feb. 12, 2024 - Oct. 10, 2024 ​
• 35 weeks (no Spring and/or Summ​er Breaks, or pro-d days)
• Monday to Thursday (no school on Fridays)
  
• ​8.00am to 3.00pm
• BCIT
  
• two intakes:
• ​Sept. 4, 2023 - June 20, 2024​
• Jan. 8, 2024 - Dec​. 5, 2024​
• 40 weeks (no Spring and/or Summer Breaks, or pro-d days)
  
• ​longer program due to more practicums (work experience) in the community 
  
• Monday to Thursday (no school on Fridays)
  
• ​8.00am to 3.00pm

Available Seats

• VCC's intakes has quite a few seats reserved for high school students, so getting 3-4 seats is not a real restraint. BCIT's intake is limited to 1-2 high school students.

Student Cost

• tuition-free, but students will need to pay about $1,800 for course materials,
  textbook, tools, respirator, etc.​
  

Locations + Transportation​​

• Transportation, to and from the training site(s), is the responsibility of the parent/guardian
• Skytrain is probably the best transportation option
• VCC
• "Broadway Campus" - 1155 East Broadway, Vancouver
• BCIT
• "Burnaby Campus" - 3700 Willingdon Ave, Burnaby
  

Skills​

• General
• Analytical, Coordinated, Resourceful, and Systematic
  
• Key Job​
• ​Auto Body & Repair Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Surface Preparation & Refinishing, Auto Body Construction & Components, and Insurance Estimating
  

• students typically take this program in their grade 12 year after taking all the necessary/core grade 11 subjects, but it can be taken in grade 11.
  
• students must begin a program prior to June 30 of their graduation year
• ex 1:  a Program begins in March and runs for 23 weeks - this is okay for a current grade 12 student​ to apply to
  
• ex 2:  a program will begin in September ​after a grade 12 has graduated - that current grade 12 should not apply as they will not be accepted​​
• must have government-issued photo ID (ex: a driver's license, BC ​ID, passport) that is current/valid on the ​ITA exam date (last week or so of program)​
  
• on intake date, students must be:
  
• a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and
  
• an enrolled student in a high school (non-grad) in SD43​
  
• unfortunately, international students are not able to enroll in this program​