Auto Body

Program Overview

The Auto Body courses offered will provide students with the opportunity to gain knowledge, experience and practical skills in the areas of bodywork, and preparation for painting and refinishing of automobiles. Most of the teaching is done in an industry-standard auto body shop setting with personal instruction, as the student works through projects. As new technologies emerge in industry the training offered will evolve. Through learning and experience in auto body, students will become aware of related career opportunities in this field.

Read about the Auto Body Program:

• winter 2011 first CTC auto body student to challenge 1st year apprenticeship technical exams

Program Delivery

In grade 10, students work on vehicle panels (hoods, fenders, doors), taking the vehicle panels from a damaged state through the painting and detailing stage. In grade 11 and 12, customer vehicles become the students' projects. After completing customer work, there may be the opportunity to work on student vehicles. The program consists of a number of single credit courses, each one typically taking 25 hours to complete. There is some flexibility should students gain proficiency at an accelerated rate, and they can achieve extra credit with additional project work.

Course Information

There are three course levels with increasing skills; introductory, intermediate and advanced. In most cases, a student will earn 5 credits at the introductory level and 10 credits in each of the intermediate and advanced levels.

• Awareness: to create an appreciation of the auto body industry.
• Communication: to develop communication skills when relating to customers and employers.
• Personal Skills: to promote self-esteem and confidence through skill development in the auto body industry. AND
• Applied Technology: to develop proficiency in the use of materials and various tools within a class setting and career technology for employment in an auto body or refinishing shop setting.

TA theory component will be included with each module. The mark for that module usually has a theory percentage included.

Detailed introductory course list

Detailed intermediate course list

Detailed advanced course list

Student Expectations

The students will be required to follow and apply safe working procedures to maintain shop privileges. Briefly, this includes wearing coveralls and safety glasses at all times, following safety procedures for the use of tools, and safe handling and disposition of all materials. For example, primer is not sprayed in the shop area but is confined to the paint booth for health and safety reasons. Unsafe practices endanger everyone and will not be tolerated.

Students are also expected to learn how to work well with others in a team setting, focus on their tasks at hand and follow instructions from teacher and trade staff. Regular attendance and punctuality are critical as that emulates an industry site environment in auto body.