Automotive Body Technician Apprentice

Crash Champions•Lombard, IL

About The Position

The Crash Champions Skills Training Education Program (STEP) is a paid, hands-on apprenticeship for people working toward becoming collision repair technicians. Apprentices learn alongside an experienced Champion Mentor, follow a structured curriculum, and receive daily instruction. Collision repair experience or training is not required, though experience is a bonus. The role offers potential career earnings up to and beyond six figures. Training covers manufacturer specifications and quality controls, repair planning, vehicle disassembly and reassembly, dent and bumper repair, structural damage identification and repair, welding and joining methods, and the use of metal straightening tools and techniques. Apprentices progress toward I-CAR Weld Certification. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week, with benefits, paid time off, and sick leave effective from the start date. Posted pay is $18.00–$21.00 per hour.

Requirements

At least 18 years of age.
Ability to work full-time, 40 hours per week.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to stand for long periods.
Ability to regularly position or move oneself to repair vehicles from above and below.
Ability to communicate effectively and take direction from superiors.
Ability to read and understand a work order.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED preferred.
Collision repair experience or training is a bonus but is not required.

Responsibilities

Learn manufacturer-original specifications and industry standards while maintaining high quality controls.
Create complete repair plans and learn vehicle disassembly and reassembly, plastic bumper repair, and minor panel dent repair.
Repair more complex dents by reshaping sheet metal, applying body filler, and progressing to two-sided plastic repair and larger panel damage.
Learn to identify structural damage and access repair procedures.
Set up and anchor structural repairs and perform three-dimensional measuring of vehicle structures.
Learn methods of welding and joining materials, and learn to use related tools.
Refine body filler and metal repairs using stud guns and other metal-straightening tools and techniques, including cutting and replacing small structural components.
Learn proper setup and MIG welding techniques on steel vehicles to complete I-CAR Weld Certification.