How Long Is Automotive and Collision Mechanic Training?
The hands-on classroom and lab work at Automotive Training Center (ATC) is designed to graduate students in a timely and efficient manner. All coursework is set up to ensure students remain engaged and motivated throughout their time at ATC, while developing the necessary skills to enjoy a career in automotive.
Let’s take a closer look at two of our most popular programs, Automotive Technology and Collision Reconditioning Technology, to give you an idea of what each requires and what training looks like.
How Long Does It Take to Go Through Automotive Training?
The Automotive Technology program is designed to ensure graduates acquire the technical knowledge and experience necessary to be employed as an entry level automotive technician in a dealership, service center, or repair shop. This ASE-based curriculum is taught by ASE-certified instructors.
This is structured as a 2-year program, with 64 weeks of instruction. In total, that means 1,920 hours of classroom and shop/lab time. There is also a part-time evening program available, which is 84 weeks in length, and covers 1,344 hours. Repetition of task assignments is reduced from the full-time program due to the difference in hours.
Courses include:
- Manual Drivetrain & Axles
- Brakes
- Engine Repair
- Suspension & Steering
- Electrical Systems
- Air Conditioning & Heating
- Computer Controls & Electronic Diagnostics
How Long Does It Take to Go Through the Collision Program?
The Collision Reconditioning Technology program enables graduates to gain technical knowledge and experience in diagnosing and repairing collision damage. This includes mechanical and electrical components along with air conditioning systems.
This is also structured as a 2-year program, covering 64 weeks of instruction and 1,920 hours of classroom and lab/shop time.
Required courses in this program are:
- Welding & Non-Structural Damage Repair
- Surface Preparation
- Structural Damage Repair
- Painting & Refinishing
- Cost Estimating & Damage Repair
- Manual Drivetrain & Axles
- Brakes
- Electrical Systems
- Air Conditioning & Heating
- Suspension & Steering
Resources for Prospective Students
If you’re looking to learn more about our courses, or the prospective career paths of those in the automotive industry, we invite you to visit our student resources page. This page has informative eBooks and information created with your questions in mind. Learn about training, read the career guide, and learn about post-secondary training.
We also have an eBook which covers a day in the life of a collision repair technician, exploring what goes into structural repairs, paintwork, and the process of restoring the vehicle to its pre-accident condition.
Explore Your Career Opportunities
At Automotive Training Center, the coursework in the Automotive Technology and Collision programs is designed to graduate students in 64 weeks, with a 2-year program structure.
Through our alliance with the ADAGP, graduates can seek employment with one of the many car and truck franchises located throughout the area upon graduation. Whether you are considering our full-time or part-time programs, we invite you to contact us for more information or to schedule a tour of our campus.
More on auto mechanic training:
