Auto Body Technician
The Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) Auto Body Technician program is one of the premier auto body repair programs in the Seattle area, the Pacific Northwest, and nationwide. Auto Body Technician students work on customer vehicles every quarter. Emphasis is placed on building the skills necessary to do auto body repair, with a lot of opportunity to practice the skills. Students can start any quarter of the year and obtain either a Certificate of Completion (one quarters) by completing their transportation core and any one of the following 4 blocks:
- Refinishing (summer quarter)
- Structural Repair (fall quarter)
- Non-Structural Repair (winter quarter)
- Estimating/Shop Management (spring quarter)
LWTech Auto Body students can also receive Auto Body Technician AAS degree. The AAS degree prepares students with skills to compete in the auto body repair
industry. This degree consists of all four of the blocks listed above, as well as,
a fifth quarter of advanced auto body. Students will spend their first quarter of
training in a transportation core curriculum. The laboratory area is designed to simulate
an actual industry repair environment and includes a state-of-the-art painting booth
with the latest in high-tech equipment. Successful graduates are qualified for employment
in the high wage, high demand field of auto body repair.
Classes for this program are typically held in the mornings from 7 a.m. to 11:50 a.m., Monday through Friday.
Learn from Industry Experts
From the first day of class, you will see that your instructor has a genuine interest in your success. Classes provide you the chance to combine technical theory with skill mastery. You will also work with experts from within the industry, that volunteer their time to demonstrate skills and start networking with technicians and shop owners from across the industry.
General Requirements (Start any quarter)
- Computer Basics/Transportation Trades
- Shop and Business Practices
- Basic Electrical Systems
- Mechanical Principles
Refinishing (Summer)
- Refinishing Products, Tools & Equipment
- Surface Preparation, Masking & Detailing
- Refinishing Application Procedures
- Color Mixing, Matching & Paint Problems
Structure Repair (Fall)
- Door & Glass Service
- Measuring & Realignment Procedures
- Welded Panel Removal & Replacement
- Corrosion Protection
Non-Structural Repair (Winter)
- Metal Panel Repair
- Body Fillers and Applications
- Composite Panel Repairs
- Disassembly & Re-Assembly Technology
Estimating/Shop Management (Spring)
- Vehicle Construction Technology
- Estimating & Shop Management Programs
- Damage Analysis
- Mechanical & Electrical Systems
Advanced Auto Body (Offered every quarter) (For students who completed all 4 blockslisted above)
- Advanced Non-Structural Repair
- Advanced Structural Repair
- Advanced Refinishing
- Advanced Estimating & Shop Management
Graduates of the program have the opportunity to build a career in the lucrative collision repair & restoration industries.
Auto Body facilities are in need of trained individuals to fill positions such as:
- Painter
- Paint Prepper
- Detailer
- Body Technician
- Structural Repair Technician
- Estimator
- Parts Manager
- Shop Manager
Other related career opportunities include:
- Insurance appraiser
- Auto glass technician
- Sales Representative for tool manufacturers, paint and supplydistributors, or paint manufacturers
- Owning your own shop
Admission Requirements
Entry into this program requires the completion of an admissions application.
