Starting Salary
​33k

Job Growth:
Rising Need

Salary
33k - 59k

Check

Out Our

Auto Body

​Program

Start your

CTE Journey

Image was taken pre-pandemic.

Course Description

This program trains students in collision repair, automotive detailing, painting and restoration work.  Topics of study include: collision and auto body repair, auto refinishing, welding techniques, and replacement of parts and sections of panels.  Students learn to use hand, power, and specialized auto body tools and equipment to repair dents and frame work on metal and plastic sections of automobiles.  Students have the opportunity to create customized paint graphics, airbrushing, and restoration work on high performance and show quality vehicles.  

Course Content

• Auto body/Collision repair
• Metal repair
• Paint and surface preparation
• Paint mixing and color tinting
• Complete vehicle detailing, and custom graphics
• Welding techniques and metal fabrication
• Collision estimating
• Auto body tools and equipment
• Parts/body panel replacement
• Car refinishing
• Restoration
• Color sanding and buff/polish

Image was taken pre-pandemic.

Image was taken pre-pandemic.

Career Opportunities Can Include:

• Body Shop Manager
• Auto Painter
• Restoration Specialist
• Collision Technician
• Body Shop Owner
• Automotive Welder
• Insurance Adjuster
• Parts Manager
• Auto detailing interior/exterior

College Agreements with:

Matt Lott

Auto Body Teacher

I started my Auto Body career working with my father, and attending the Auto Body course at TST BOCES. I Graduated high school with an Auto Body diploma from Lansing High School. After high school I attended Nashville Auto Diesel College where I graduated receiving a diploma in auto body repair and technology. I have earned many I-CAR certifications including: structural, non structural, and MIG welding. I am currently in my 6th year at TST BOCES.  I'm also an active technician at a local dealership . I pride myself in being able to fix anything. If we can’t fix it, we can fabricate another. I enjoy spending time with my 2 boys; coaching football and building Go-Karts. I enjoy working out with my wife and spending time with our 5 Boxers.

Testimonials

Cameron Chrisman
2013 CTE Student of the Year

"I attended the Auto Body Repair program from 2011 through 2013 and am the 2013 Student of the Year. This was easily the best 2 years of school I have ever completed. I have always been the type of person that prefers hands-on learning rather than out of a book. If you can say the same for yourself, this is an opportunity you won’t want to pass up. You will learn everything from welding and fabrication to panel repair and placement and, of course, painting. Auto Body has always been a passion of mine - I consider everything that I repair a work of art. With this amazing program I got the chance to learn how to take something damaged and restore its beauty. You have many options after high school: employment, college, the possibilities are endless. The projects that I accomplished in Auto Body, including a 1977 Corvette and a 1974 Volkswagen Karman Ghia, gave me a feeling of accomplishment and the drive to want to do better! This wasn’t just another class, this was my future. The better I did, the more successful I would become. I have expanded my skill set to automotive technician, and boat and jet ski repair. The reason for my current success is because of the skills and confidence I gained in the Auto Body program!"

Logan Wannall
2010 CTE Student of the Year / Owner and Tech. of Epiq Auto

"The technical skills and life lessons I learned during my time at the Career and Technical Education Center allowed me to follow my dreams and open a business of my own at 25 years of age. Enrollment in the program led to one of the most beneficial educational investments I could have made for myself. CTE gave me the foundation needed to succeed both as a student in the  collision and refinishing department at Alfred State College, as well as a technician at a local dealership. I continue to use the skills and fundamentals learned at CTE as I strive to grow my business to be the best in the industry."

Lamar Johnson
2020 Trumansburg Alum

"I would recommend auto body to high school students because over the course of 2 years, I learned so much about the career. Not only did I learn to paint a car, but I learned to buff, fill dents, and more! Even if you don’t go into it as a career, auto body is a great skill to learn. Even if you use it for personal reasons or side jobs, or to put a little extra cash in your pocket, MOTOR VEHICLES will always need to be worked on! Aside from the skills you pick up, the teacher is hands down an all around great teacher who is ALWAYS more than willing to give you extra help when needed.  Mr. Lott also knows that the students have their own things going on outside of school, and he understands, and helps students through those kinds of things."

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