Information on the Automotive Body Repair program available at Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, IL

1. Automotive Body Repair www.sandburg.edu

2. AUTOMOTIVE BODY REPAIR Carl Sandburg College offers Automotive Body Repair programs to fill the needs of students with diverse educational or career goals ranging from developing specialized skills to providing a complete two-year educational program. Associate in Applied Science This two-year Associate in Applied Science degree program provides students with the basic skills to gain employment in auto body shops or with an insurance company. In addition to the automotive body courses and directly related areas like welding, this program includes study in other subjects such as business, mathematics, and composition.

3. Basic Automotive Body Repair Certificate This one-year Certificate program concentrates solely on automotive body repair courses. It is designed for those students who are interested only in developing specialized automotive body repair skills. It can also serve students whose work schedules prevent them from completing the A.A.S. degree. Automotive Customizing Street Rod/Street Machine Certificate This program is designed to show the student the correct methods in customizing an automobile. Although the skills taught would apply to a lot of newer autos, the program focuses on cars that are classified as street rods and street machines. The student will be primarily involved in body and chassis modifications, but additional topics on gauge replacement, stereo systems, interior, tires, and wheels will be covered.

4. Nature of the Work Automotive body repairers use special equipment to restore damaged vehicles to pre-accident condition. They chain or clamp frames and unibodies to frame machines that use hydraulic pressure to pull damaged components. Automotive body repairers remove badly damaged sections of body panels or pull out or smooth out less seriously damaged parts. They also repair the plastic body parts that are used increasingly on new model vehicles. Preparation of vehicles for painting is completed by sanding then masking off areas not to be painted. They then apply basecoat and clearcoat paint to match the original vehicle color.

5. Working Conditions Most automotive body repairers work a standard 40-hour week, although some, including the self-employed, work more than the standard week. Repairers work indoors in shops that are noisy because of the hammering against metal and the use of power or pneumatic tools. Ventilation is usually good to disperse dust and paint fumes. Workers can experience minor injuries from power tools and sharp metal, but serious accidents usually are avoided when the work place is kept clean and orderly. Employment Employment of automotive body repairers is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2010. Demand for qualified automotive body repairers will increase as the total number of motor vehicles in operation continues to grow in line with the nation’s population. Median earnings for this occupation is around $15.00 per hour. (Employment information is taken from the Occupational Outlook Handbook.) To learn more about the admission requirements and the application process for this program, call (309) 341-5229.

6. CSC Advantages • Small class size allows individual attention • Hands-on experience – students use specialized equipment for straightening frames, welding metal, and removing dents • Mostly evening classes offered • Instructors are ASE and ICAR certified • Scholarships available to qualified students Special Needs Carl Sandburg College complies with all applicable federal and state non-discrimination laws, orders, and regulations. Inquiries or complaints may be addressed to the Affirmative Action Officer. Facilities are accessible for people with physical disabilities. Persons requiring special accommodations should make their needs known at the time of registration by contacting the Academic Support Services Office at (309) 341-5262.

7. Cost & Financial Aid For current tuition and fees, please refer to our Web site at www.sandburg.edu. A variety of scholarships, loans, grants, and other forms of financial aid are available to qualified applicants. For information contact the Financial Aid Office at (309) 341-5283. Mission Statement OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED The mission of Carl Sandburg College is to provide accessible, quality education in a caring environment by keeping the learner’s needs at the center of decision making and by working in partnership with communities of the College district. 2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd. Galesburg, IL 61401 www.sandburg.edu (309) 341-5229 Toll Free (877) 236-1862, ext. 5229