Every year, cars get safer and safer. But while the overall accident rate in Canada may decrease, the sad truth is that there will always be accidents... and so there will always be a need for auto body collision estimators. In this field, students learn how to use manual and computer systems to develop accurate estimates for automotive repair shops, garages, insurance companies, and other automotive-related establishments.
If you have an interest in the automotive industry, and want to learn more about cars and earn a respectable salary, an Auto Body Collision Estimator program may be right for you. These programs teach students all the basics of collision damage repair and repair estimating. Graduates enter the workforce quickly and can expect to earn $40,000 a year plus benefits on average - or more depending on the type of employment they find.
Perhaps one of the most interesting things about the program is its compressed timeframe: students can expect to complete most Auto Body Collision Estimator programs in 13 weeks, which means a swift return to the workforce. Throughout the duration of their studies, students learn the key elements of labour, repair, and painting times for auto repair. They also learn how to identify auto body structures and damage. Students are also exposed to the industry-standard software that will help them create computer-generated estimation reports.
Courses are typically given by experienced auto body collision estimators who are always ready to share their know-how with students. Typical courses for the program would cover the following topics:
· Automotive industry basics
· Procedures related to material damage
· Vehicle construction
· Analyzing damage
· Principles of estimation
· Mitchell flat rate estimating
· Basic paint estimating
· Body shop operations basics
· Preparing estimates
· Automated estimating basics
· Introduction to Audatex estimating
An interesting study option for many students of Auto Body Collision Estimator programs is "distance" or online learning. With that option, students can study from the comfort of their homes, while still covering the same material as the standard program. Learning, testing, and instructional support are all done online, ensuring that graduates have all they need to be employable immediately upon graduation. This option is of particular interest to students who live outside of large cities, where schools may not exist, but where jobs for auto body estimators will often exist.
If you love cars and are interested in starting a career in the automotive industry, you may want to consider enrolling in an Auto Body Collision Estimator program. You'll get the technical and practical knowledge you need to enjoy a rewarding job, and you'll go from classroom to paid employment in a relatively short period of time.
