Hawaii Community College                                                                                                                                                       

Applied Technical Education Division

Transportation & Applied Technology Department

Auto Body Repair & Painting

Program Description:

The Auto Body Repair and Painting program offers vocational training to students desiring to gain knowledge, and develop salable skills and attitudes that will qualify them for employment in the auto body repair and painting industry and related occupations.  Classroom and hands-on live lab training is provided that represents the current and new technological trends in the industry.  The training will also help students progress from entry level work to higher skill levels in the trade.  This program also seeks to serve the community by providing job upgrading opportunities for professionals in the field.  Graduates have found that completion of the Auto Body Repair and Painting program enables them to get better paying jobs and to advance faster once employed, than others who do not have the benefit of training.

The Occupation:

Auto body repair technicians repair or replace damaged parts of automobile and truck bodies and frames.  Typical repairs include; removing dents from fenders and body panels and straightening bent bodies; applying and finishing body filler; replacing metal and plastic parts that cannot be repaired; removing heavily damaged sections of body panels and welding in new sections;  refinishing complete vehicles, or mixing and color matching paint for touch up refinishing; and performing vehicle damage analysis and estimating the repair costs.  Most repairers work on cars and light trucks, but some specialize in large trucks, busses, tractor-trailers, marine, and aviation equipment.  They may also specialize in repairs such as collision technicians who align unibodies and frames; create custom body and paint work; perform auto glass service; upholstery repairs; and aftermarket installations.   

Course Offerings:

The program accepts new students beginning each fall at its modern and well equipped facility on the upper Kawili St. campus.  The two year program is modularized and offered over four semesters.  Students may earn a Certificate of Achievement with 42 credit hours of instruction or receive the Associate in Applied Science degree upon completion of 63 credit hours of designated coursework.  Beginning in the Fall 2008 semester a new 11 credit Basic Body Repair Certificate of Completion will be offered, and in the Spring 2009 an 11 credit Automotive Refinish Certificate of Completion will be offered.

Total                                                                                                                          42                   63

CC - Certificate of Completion - new certificates offered beginning in Fall 2008                                                                          

1.         Basic Body Repair - 11 Credits (Fall semester)            
2.         Auto Refinishing - 11 Credits (Spring semester)

CA - Certificate of Achievement  (42 Credits)

AAS - Associate in Applied Science Degree (63 credits)

Certificate and degree requirements can be found in the HawCC catalog available online on the college website. 

Preparation or Specialized Training:

Although no special training is required interested students should enjoy working with their hands, have average hand-eye coordination, be of good general physical health, and posses a positive attitude.  Tech prep courses in auto body, auto mechanics, sheetmetal fabrication, welding, industrial arts, basic math, technical reading, and communication skills will enhance leaning and successful completion of the coursework. 

Employment Potential:

A shortage of qualified auto body repair technicians both locally and nationally is expected to continue for the next several years.  Demand for auto body repair services will grow in accordance with expected increases in the population and corresponding vehicular traffic.  The sophistication of new vehicle design and construction will require a highly technical workforce trained with the most current repair methods.  Trained and certified technicians will command the highest wages.

Wages:

Starting wages for entry level technicians vary by location and range from $9 - $12 per hour.  Journeyworker technicians can earn more than $36,000 annually, and specialist may command more than $50,000. 

Admission Requirements:

The Auto Body Repair & Painting program is open to any high school graduate, or anyone 18 years of age or older who can benefit from the instruction offered.  New students are accepted on a first come basis beginning in the Fall semester (ABRP 20 - 25) and may be admitted on a space available basis in subsequent semesters with the instructor's consent.  Interested students must fill out and submit a University of Hawaii System Application form along with the required supporting documents by the date stipulated in the college catalog.  Late applicants may be accepted on a space available basis. 

Cost of Tuition, Fees*:

The cost of tuition per credit hour for all credits taken:

Resident                       $   79.00 per credit hour        

Non-resident                $ 272.00 per credit hour

In addition Student Government, Student Activity, and publication fees will be applied based on the amount of credits taken.

Financial aid may be available to qualified students.

Parking on the upper campus is by paid permit, and can be obtained at the UHH Parking Office on the main campus.

*Please refer to the current catalog for the latest registration dates, fees, and information.

Equipment & Supplies:

Students entering the ABRP program are required to purchase a textbook, student manuals, personal protection safety equipment, and a required hand tool set.  The cost of the basic items for the four semesters is approximately $2000.00, and varies depending on the quality and quantity of the goods purchased. 

Instructors:

The instructors of the ABRP program are highly trained professionals, and are ASE Master Collision Repair / Refinish Technician certified in all areas of the curriculum they teach.  Their extensive auto body background includes more than 50 years of combined industry and instructional experience.

More Information:

Hawai’i Community College

200 W. Kawili St

Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4091

Information Center                                    974-7611       

Admissions & Registration                         974-7661

Dean of Student Services                           974-7657

Counseling & Support Services Center       974-7741

Applied Technical Education Division         974-7433

Auto Body Repair & Painting Program       974-7406

Instructors email -        

    Sanford Lloyd Sanborn             ssanborn@hawaii.edu

                Michael Saito                            saitomic@hawaii.edu