APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

An apprenticeship training program consists of on-the-job and in-school training. Generally, the time-frame to become competent in the trade of Auto Body and Collision Damage Repairer is 8,000 hours (approximately four years) consisting of 7,280 hours of on-the-job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training. 

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING

An apprenticeship involves practical training provided on-the-job by a skilled worker, or trainer. The skills or competencies to be developed are set out by the trade’s Apprenticeship Training Standard and are recognized by the industry as being essential to the practice of the trade.

As these essential skills are developed, the apprentice’s sponsor or trainer signs the relevant sections of the training standard to indicate that the apprentice has met the individual training objectives by demonstrating the skills required of a skilled worker, or journeyperson, in the trade.

IN-SCHOOL TRAINING

An Auto Body and Collision Damage Repairer apprenticeship includes three levels of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in:

• applied work practices
• welding
• body, frame and structure
• refinishing
• applied mechanical
• plastic repair
• non-structural repairs
• damage analysis and estimating
• structural panel replacement
• alignment
• glass

Depending on the training delivery agency, in-school training may be available in one of the following ways:

• block release (full-time, for a set number of weeks)
• day release (one day per week from September to June)
• part-time (night-school programs)
• alternative delivery (online, correspondence, etc.)

Auto Body and Collision Damage Repairer is a trade named under the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021.

This trade has an apprenticeship program that is administered by Skilled Trades Ontario. Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.

This trade has a certifying exam. Upon passing the certifying exam, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Qualification in this trade.

Because this trade is compulsory, to practice this trade legally in Ontario a person must hold a Registered Training Agreement, Provisional Certificate of Qualification or Certificate of Qualification and their information must appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register. A Certificate of Qualification issued in this trade must be renewed to be valid.

In Ontario, the trade is part of the Interprovincial Red Seal Program—the national standard for the trade across Canada — under the title Auto Body and Collision Technician: www.red-seal.ca.