Steering Your Child Toward a Future Career in Collision Repair: The Vital Role of Parental Support
If you’re a parent, you know how fast kids seem to grow up. It can feel like only yesterday they were learning to walk and talk, but before you know it they are finishing high school and trying to decide on a future career. As a mother, father, caretaker, or guardian, you can leverage your parental support to influence this decision in so many ways. After all, chances are you know your child better than anyone! You have a unique and personal perspective of their likes and dislikes, their strengths and weaknesses, and their overall personality.
If your child has ever expressed an interest in cars, machinery and mechanics, and/or technology, then pursuing a future career in collision repair is definitely a worthwhile option to consider. In the US alone, collision repair represented a $36 billion industry in 2023! There are more than 85,000 collision repair facilities in the US, which translates to unlimited employment and locational opportunities. Skilled and qualified automotive workers are in greater demand than ever and, with the introduction of electric, hybrid, and even autonomous vehicles, that demand is only expected to grow.
Even if your child has never expressed an interest in cars specifically, you may have noticed certain qualities that would nonetheless make collision repair a logical path for them to pursue. Perhaps they are endlessly curious about how things work, and/or they have an obvious knack for taking things apart and putting them back together. If traits like these are evident, then pursuing a future career in collision repair may well be the best decision they could ever make — with your parental support and encouragement, of course!
The Many Benefits of a Future Career in Collision Repair
New Technologies for an Ever-Changing Landscape
We all know that most kids these days love technology and find it fascinating, and as a collision repair technician, tech is destined to become an integral part of their jobs and daily lives. New technologies are constantly being introduced — faster than ever before — to enhance diagnostics, tools, equipment, and even training techniques, making this a dynamic environment that promises a revolving door of fresh and interesting challenges and skills to learn.
Spoiled for Choice
The automotive industry offers an incredibly broad spectrum of career options — more than exist within many other segments. Once established, technicians can continue to constantly level up their knowledge and skills, ultimately opening up opportunities they may never have envisioned. Many go on to own their own shops or transition to other management or leadership roles. From manufacturing to collision repair to related industry tracks, the opportunities for growth and higher income are virtually limitless.
Under the umbrella of collision repair alone, these are just a few of the future career options that are available:
- Technician Collision Repair
- Structural & Non-Structural
- Refinish
- Mechanical
- Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
- Estimator/Repair Planner
- General Manager
- Production Manager
- Parts ManagerTechnician Collision Repair
Once your student has their foot in the door of the automotive industry, there are countless further future career opportunities they can decide to pursue:
- teach others about the trade as an instructor, or opt to become a career counselor, technical specialist, or instructional designer
- work behind the scenes as an administrator, IT, HR, or insurance specialist
- support local shops as an equipment distributor, repair support worker, or paint system manufacturer
- pursue an automotive-related industry track, such as rental cars, towing, detailing, media, graphic & web design, or sales & marketing
Work-Life Balance
More and more shops these days emphasize a healthy, vibrant and inclusive workspace that prioritizes the wellbeing of employees. Automotive business owners realize the value and importance of a pleasant, non-toxic environment in attracting and retaining top-notch technicians. An ever-growing number of shop operators offer health insurance, retirement savings plans, flexible scheduling, and other perks. Health and safety are also top-of-mind, including the latest, high-quality equipment, the training to use it knowledgeably and safely, and bright, clean, well-ventilated areas to work in.
Ongoing Training
Technology is changing the landscape of collision repair, but it is there to support workers – not to replace them! No robot or program can replace a dexterous pair of hands or the sound decision-making judgment of a highly trained human mind.
However, your child can expect a future career in collision repair to involve ongoing education and training that will be necessary to stay abreast of the latest advancements. The good news? Whether interacting with a group of peers online or donning a virtual reality headset to learn about the latest techniques, amazing new technologies are making even the educational aspect of collision repair more exciting and engaging all the time.
Making a Difference
A lot of responsibility rests on a collision repair technician. Beyond merely performing the services they’ve been trained to provide, the opportunity to positively interact with customers and coworkers as they provide these services can be surprisingly gratifying. When an individual or family has been involved in a collision, they depend on the technician to come to the rescue by utilizing all their knowledge and skills. A reassuring attitude and a confident way of going about the work will help to make any car owner’s post-accident experience much less stressful. When a tech clearly enjoys and is good at what they do, customers can feel certain that the value, performance, appearance and — most importantly — the safety of their vehicles will be restored, so they can move past the stress and get back to their routines with confidence.
Starting Off on the Right Track: The Importance of Education for a Future Career in Collision Repair
As is true of any career, a solid education is key to future success. Fortunately, there are plenty of high-quality, accredited facilities that offer a myriad of entry-level and advanced courses to choose from. The specific program offerings may vary, but most are extremely comprehensive and well designed. Upon completion, graduates are fully equipped and certified to enter the workforce and start earning. Check out this partial list to get an idea of the diversity of courses that are available:
- Auto Collision Repair Technology (Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College)
https://mgccc.edu/programs/schools/manufacturing-maritime-transportation/auto-collision-repair-technology/ - Collision Repair & Refinishing Service Management (Lincoln Tech – Indianapolis, IN)
https://www.lincolntech.edu/careers/automotive/collision-repair-and-refinishing/collision-repair-refinishing-service-management-degree - Electric Vehicle Training (Universal Technical Institute – Avondale AZ)
https://www.uti.edu/programs/automotive/electric-vehicle-training - Auto Collision Repair (Dorchester County Career & Technology Center – South Carolina)
https://www.dcctc.net/courses-page/auto-collision-repair/#1481221544338-8cbea65b-autocol1 - Interested in schools in other areas of the country? Click this link to visit CREF’s school locator and view all the schools within your area (or within any specific geographical boundary):
https://collisionrepaireducationfoundation.org/cref-school-locator/
Schools & Scholarships
Here at CREF, we realize that not every family is in a position to be able to fund their child’s education. That’s why we are proud to play a vital role in supporting both automotive facilities and students who choose to pursue a future career in automotive. Since 2009, we’ve awarded over $9.1 million in scholarships and grants to collision repair schools and students across the country.
Click the link here for more information about the scholarships and opportunities available through our program:
https://collisionrepaireducationfoundation.org/students-scholarships/
Investing in Your Child’s Future with a Career in Collision Repair – A Logical Choice
As you can see, there are many incredible benefits to be gained with a career in collision repair. New technologies are advancing faster than ever before, meaning there will always be new things to learn and new challenges to conquer. For those who enjoy working with their hands, fixing cars can be a truly gratifying and rewarding lifelong career.
With the introduction of autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, hybrid, ADAS, employment options and opportunities within the industry are growing at an exponential rate – and the earnings potential is destined to keep pace. Cars (in one form or another) are going to be around forever, and the people that keep them in top shape are certain to be in greater demand than ever before – meaning unparalleled job security for the future.
As a parent or guardian, you only want the best and brightest future for your child, and that’s precisely what a future career in collision repair promises to deliver.
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The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting collision repair educational programs, schools, and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation, visit us online at: www.CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org.
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If you would like more information about this topic or any of CREF’s initiatives, please email info@ed-foundation.org
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