Autobody repair, or auto painting?

In the past, students registering at the College of New Caledonia had to ask themselves which area of focus was more appealing to them. With the programs being run separately, choosing one or the other was the only option.

That’s no longer the case.

Starting in September 2021, CNC is offering both trades in a single program: Automotive Collision and Refinishing Foundation. Thirty-six weeks of instruction will equip students with the knowledge and skills to assess and repair body damage on vehicles. During that time, they’ll also learn the theory behind painting and the actual hands-on painting process.

“Ultimately, the student is going to get training in both areas,” says instructor Byron Hayashi. “They just go hand in hand. They’re going to learn a little bit of both trades to help them become more employable.”

Hayashi gives six reasons to consider taking the reimagined CNC program.

1. Value

   The combined program, he says, gives students better value for their time and money.

   “Instead of taking two separate programs, they’re taking one. And the two programs were pretty long. The previous program was 30 weeks to do the autobody, then 22 weeks to do the auto refinishing. Now it’s 34 weeks in total. It’s more condensed and there’s more content to the program.”

Quality of instruction

Hayashi jokes that his experience in autobody repair and refinishing goes back to the horse and buggy days. That’s not quite true, but he did spend more than 30 years in the industry and has been teaching for almost 20.

“I’m certified in both trades and we pretty much have a 100 per cent pass rate,” he says. “My last two apprenticeship classes, they were 100 per cent. And we have a very relaxed way of instructing here. That’s why I think a lot of apprentices come back. For example, I just finished a class and I had one apprentice travel all the way from Port Alberni. I’ve got a really good grasp of what it takes to be successful.”

Next start date: Fall 2021

Locations: Prince George