Hi, I was wondering if there are any Auto Body Repair Technicians. I am taking a year long Auto Body Repair program in High school and I have a job opportunity at a restoration shop as an apprentice. I was wondering the path you all took after you got certified/graduated?
I graduated from Camden County vocational school in South Jersey in 1983 I took two years of carpentry and two years of autobody. Started out as a painters helper $5.00 I would’ve loved to have started out as an apprentice at a restoration shop I say go for it you have nothing to lose but everything to gain. Good luck in your decision.
Though I'm not an AB tech, I have worked in the building trades for 36 years. I would say as an apprentice try to find a shop that does a wide range of different projects, so you get a broader view of the trade. Maybe even try to grab shifts as a helper at other shops on weekends just for some different exposures. You may chose to specialize in the future of maybe stay flexible in your work so its nice to have the early knowledge.
Shoot me a PM with a contact number and I'll give you a call this weekend. I am semi- retired from collision work after 40 years of it. Started at the bottom and went as high as Production Manager of 23 Techs and an 8 Person paint department. Owned my own restoration shop for 20+ years with employees. I also was a substitute worker for area shops when they had a labor issue due to injury or sickness. I would set up my crew at my shop then go to work as a sub. It is a job that gives back what you put in, in the right shop fitment. Help if I can
I taught auto collision first 5 years at the local high school career center,...owned a shop with my father for roughly 20years and now do restoration and collision work for myself. Feel free to PM me and we can talk further and I'll give you the it's and outs from my perspective as well
I've owned my own shop for 39 yrs ,I'm currently 59 . Started (self taught at 13) . Three yrs after high school started my own shop. The collision industry is faced with a major tech shortage. If you lean that direction you'll probably be employed forever. My crew does the production work(collision) I do the restoration stuff. You can always transition into resto.PM me if you wish. Great to hear there is a young person out there entering this trade. Good Luck .Joe
Agree the money is in collision,...the fun and love is in restoration,.....doing both is about impossible,....I'm trying but it's tough,..but I'm hard headed
A quality tech that can turn 125 to 150hrs a week AND perform it correctly is tough to find now,...but you can make 85 to 150k a year with ease. New vehicle construction is easier and more difficult if that makes sense,...more so the material used is evolving,...GM is looking into Magnesium panels,...the steel is so polluted with impure materials it doesn't weld or bond as well,...insurance companies are always a pain in the ass to work with and around,...and it's stressful in regards to part availability vs completion time requirements
I would turn 200hr a week when I was motivated,...but it's dependent on shop volume and type of collision,...I've done 4 bedsides in an 8hr work day and 6 door skins but that's hustlin haha don't have that energy anymore
thank you all for the advice and help! sorry to those who said for me to reach out to them, I am very busy with schoolwork, also I absolutely suck at conversating, I couldn't have a normal conversation to save my life
It is unfortunately ESSENTIAL in this trade,...you are selling a service IF you're actually in contact with the customer,....BUT you can also be to yourself and do your work and do it to the best of your ability and be willing to learn an adapt,....an employee that keeps his mouth shut does as he is asked and stays busy is the best kind,...I don't need to social hour with anyone myself
