Automotive Collision Repair

(An ASE Educational Foundation Master Certified Program)

Program Location

Windsor Campus | Automotive and Technology Center

Program Contacts

Director
Dale Campbell | dale.campbell@aims.edu | (970) 339-6640

Program Chair
Larry Baker | larry.baker@aims.edu | (970) 339-6674

Coordinator
Kimberly Homan | kimberly.homan@aims.edu | (970) 339-6547

Administrative Support
Lulu Zamora | lulu.zamora@aims.edu | (970) 339-6286

Advisors and Faculty

Kyle Cadarette | kyle.cadarette@aims.edu | (970) 339-6475

Alejandra Gallardo | alejandra.gallardo@aims.edu | (303) 718-5328

Mike Hanscome | mike.hanscome@aims.edu | (970) 339-6689

Jayne Thomas | jayne.thomas@aims.edu | (970) 378-3676

Degrees Offered

Automotive Collision Repair Technology (A.A.S. Degree - Two Years)

Certificates Offered

Basic Non-Structural Repair Assistant (Two Semesters)

Basic Refinishing Assistant (Two Semesters)

Collision Shop Support Personnel (Two Semesters)

Damage Appraisal & Estimating (Two Semesters)

Non-Structural Repair Technician (Three Semesters)

Plastics Repair Technician (Two Semesters)

Refinish Technician (Three Semesters)

Structural Repair Technician (Three Semesters)

Upholstery (Three Semesters)

Mission Statement

The mission of the Aims Automotive Programs is to prepare students with the necessary professional and technical skills to succeed in the automotive industry upon completion of the program degree; or, in the case of certificate-seekers or special interest students, that they have acquired the skill-set they came to obtain.

Potential Opportunities

Collision repair and refinishing on modern vehicles is a challenging and rewarding career. As vehicle design and construction evolve, the demand for skilled technicians continues to grow.

Collision repair technicians restore vehicles to pre-accident condition by replacing or realigning exterior panels made of sheet metal, plastic, or fiberglass, and repairing structural components to factory specifications. Today’s shops are equipped with advanced tools such as:

Frame and body machines to restore damaged areas
Digital measuring systems for structural accuracy
Welding equipment for high-strength steel and aluminum
Tools for repairing plastic components such as bumpers and fenders

Refinish technicians work with advanced paint products and techniques, preparing surfaces, masking, priming, sanding, and applying final coatings that meet or exceed factory finish quality.

Program Requirements

All students must complete a college interest survey prior to enrollment.
An advisor will determine if any additional preparatory courses are needed.
Students entering automotive collision courses for the first time must successfully complete ACT 101: Introduction to Automotive Collision Technology.
Students must wear safe clothing, shoes, and protective eyewear in all shop classes-this is the student’s responsibility.
Students must purchase required textbooks unless otherwise provided; advisors will supply a list.
To earn the A.A.S. degree, students must complete all ACT subject courses and a minimum of 15 credit hours of general education coursework.
Dexterity and proficiency testing are required for degree-seeking students.

Registration Requirement

All students must obtain an advisor’s signature on the course registration form before enrolling in courses.

Advisory Committee

Robby Bartlett | Ken Graff

Doug Kaltenberger | CRC Carstar

Michael Kipszky | Ken Graff

Danny Kissler | Capital Paint and Refinish

Craig Minne | Caliber Collision

Todd Pereira | Crash Champions

Justin Powers | Ken Graff

Mark Zeigler | Clear the Air Foundation

Alerts

Automotive Collision Repair