Collision Repair Technology
School of Transportation Technology
Parkes Automotive Technology Center, Rm. 126 · (570) 327-4516
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Penn College?
- How many students are at Penn College?
- What is the class size in Collision Repair classes?
- What is the ratio of class time to lab time?
- Do I need to buy tools?
- How much can I expect to make after I graduate?
- Can I work on my own car?
- How is Penn College different from other trade or vocational schools?
- Why do I have to take English and math, etc?
- What are ASE Tests?
- What are I-CAR, Gold Points, and I-Car Training Alliance?
- I like custom painting. Are there classes in custom painting at Penn College?
- Can I advance my education beyond an associate's degree?
- Do I need to get a uniform?
- What personal protective equipment will I need?
Q: How many students are at Penn College?
A: Our Fast Facts page contains information about total enrollment, as well as other facts about Penn College.
Q: What is the class size in Collision Repair classes?
A: The Collision Repair department has 80 students in it, and theory classes may have 30 students in the classroom. In laboratory, where the students work on live vehicles, the class is kept to a maximum of 18 to 20, with two students per team on vehicles.
Q: What is the ratio of class time to lab time?
A: Students will spend approximately one hour of theory, or classroom work, to every four hours of laboratory, or live work on vehicles.
Q: Do I need to buy tools?
A: Yes, you are required to have tools. You are expected to purchase your own tools. For a detailed listing of tools and estimated price, please view our Tool List page. Tools can be purchased at the College bookstore or through a dealer such as Sears or Snap-on. The Snap-On list includes all the tool numbers in the set. It is available at a discount from the College Store. You are not required to purchase the Snap-On set. It is listed as an example only. You may purchase any brand they want, and are advised to shop around when considering an investment in tools. Also, this set is the basic starting set of tools; you should be aware that an investment in tools continues during your working career. Tool boxes are required to store your tools in and need to be limited to 48" wide.
Q: How much can I expect to make after I graduate?
A: See the US Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook. As detailed in additional answers below, the location of the dealership will be a major factor in the wage received, as will be the productivity of the graduate.
Q: Can I work on my own car?
A: The Collision Repair curriculum is designed to educate you in theory and guide you in the development of the skills needed to become a collision repair technician. You will progress through a very specific learning curriculum. You are provided laboratory-learning environments, which follows the curriculum. Some instructors may allow you to work on a personal vehicle if the repair needed also follows the curriculum being studied.
Q: How is Penn College different from other trade or vocational schools?
A: Both institutions prepare students for entry into a trade. However, there are specific differences in the methods and missions of the institutions. Some differences are as follows:
- Most trade schools offer a 40-hour instructional week and finish with a student in less than 18 months. The cost will be similar. We offer an education as well as technical training. This means that students are better prepared to learn new systems as they appear on vehicles.
- In Fall 2003 we added two options for students to finish in an accelerated pace (which goes through the summer), comparable to the length of time at a trade school.
- We offer a college experience and an affiliation with The Pennsylvania State University, complete with athletics, clubs, events, and other student activities in a wide variety of majors. Within automotive, we have a Motor Sports club, participate in an SCCA sponsored go-kart race for charity, VICA, and we are building our own Super Stock GT dragster and intend to race it.
- We generally place two students, sometimes three, per each live hands-on project. Trade schools usually have a much higher number of students per project.
- Our facilities and equipment are as good or better than those found in almost all trade schools. Besides the traditional equipment found in most repair facilities, we have two engine dynamometers, two chassis dynamometers, an engine-machining lab, and a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) quick fill refueling station.
- There is little to no general education required at a trade school. This is one of their selling points. However, our own studies point to the importance of elementary algebra to a student’s skill development.
- Academic standards are different. Penn College is held to a higher standard since the Council of Higher Education, Middle States Region, accredits us. Our courses transfer to other accredited colleges; trade school courses do not.
- Faculty experience is different. Overall, our faculty have more experience as technicians, hold education degrees, and have institution teaching experience. We are able to attract excellent faculty by our reputation and salary.
- Recruiting is different. We do not have fancy brochures, TV & magazine ads, or “head hunters” (recruiters paid a commission on each student). Yet we have an ever-growing waiting list of interested students. Our successful graduates are our best recruiters.
- Some trade schools border on questionable methods of attracting students. USA Today reported that Universal Technical Institute (UTI) opened a “NASCAR Technical Institute,” yet very few jobs exist for the projected 1200 students per day they intend to recruit. In fact, before they can enroll, all students must sign a disclaimer stating that completing the program “is not a guarantee of employment in the automotive industry in general, or NASCAR, either by UTI or NASCAR."
- We have a much wider variety of automotive interest areas for students, from a two-year certificate (AM); two-year associate degree (AU); specialization with Ford (FA) or Honda (AH); a service, sales, and marketing degree (AK); to a four-year degree (BAU). Additionally, there is a Motorsports Technician competency credential, an auto graphics course (art elective), collision repair, and a wide variety of other college offerings.
- Trade schools are usually NATEF certified. However, Penn College is one of only a few colleges in the nation that is master NATEF certified in everything we teach.
- We alone have a distance learning option for the junior and senior year of our B.S. degree, provided the student has two years of automotive work experience and meets the requirements of the first two years.
- Finally, we have the oldest automotive program in the nation and we have expanded and committed to extending our legacy well into the future.
Vision Statement:
"We strive for distinction by providing the premiere Transportation Technology education in the nation."
Q: Why do I have to take English and math, etc?
A: The Collision Repair program is an associate's degree or a certificate program. The College's requirements include math, English, social science, physics, fitness and computer science. The majority of the classes are the automotive courses; however, in order to be successful in an increasingly complex field, it is important that automotive technicians have a solid education.
Also, Penn College is dedicated to lifelong learning. As such, we view the certificate and associate's degree as a stepping-stone to future educational and career opportunities, not an end in itself. Although graduates are initially prepared for a career as automotive technicians, should your goals change in the future, it is possible to continue to the baccalaureate, graduate, and even the doctoral level.
While the majority of collision repair graduates continue to work and make a good living as automotive technicians, graduates have also gone on to various careers in the automotive industry.
Q: What are ASE Tests?
A: ASE tests are voluntary technician certification examinations independent of Penn College. Students are advised when they are offered, and their instructors will advise which test the students should attempt, and guide them in their preparation. Although the Collision Repair curriculum does not "teach the test," the core concepts covered in each semester are derived from NATEF curriculum standards.
Q: What are I-CAR, Gold Points, and I-Car Training Alliance?
A: I-CAR is the Inner-industry Conference on Automotive Repair. It provides training to collision repair technicians in the field (http://www.i-car.com/). As the automotive industry changes with new types of construction and methods of repair, technicians need to update their training; I-CAR provides that for them. Shops who have 80% of their technicians trained with I-CAR training receive an I-CAR Gold certification. Customers who have their vehicles repaired at I-CAR Gold shops are assured of quality work.
Pennsylvania College of Technology is part of the I-CAR Training Alliance and, as such, awards I-CAR Gold points to its graduates, assuring that the training received from the school is of highest quality. Students who have I-CAR Gold points on their resume are very attractive to potential employers.
Q: I like custom painting. Are there classes in custom painting at Penn College?
A: Penn College collision repair primarily trains technicians for entry into the collision repair industry, not for restoration or custom building. Although, the skills learned for collision repair and custom restoration are very similar.
Penn College does offer an elective class in custom paint (Auto Graphics- ABC 181). The student learns how to apply flames, pinstripes, and graphics, as well as fundamentals of air brushing.
Q: Can I advance my education beyond an associate's degree?
A: A student can earn a certificate or an associate’s degree in collision repair, or they can advance to a bachelor’s in Automotive Technology Management at Penn College. And because Penn College is an accredited college, credits earned here also transfer for further education and/or higher degrees at other institutions.
Q: Do I need to get a uniform?
A: Yes, you are required to have a uniform for lab classes. It is recommended that you purchase three uniforms. Uniforms can be purchased through the College Store.
Q: What personal protective equipment will I need?
A: All students are required to wear safety glasses at all times when in the collision repair lab. Non-tinted, clear lenses are required. If you wear prescription glasses you will still have to wear safety glasses over your prescription glasses unless you purchase prescription safety glasses. Gloves are also recommended, because you will be handling sheet metal, glass and vehicle mechanical parts.