Collision Engineering
The El Camino College Collision Engineering Program was built in collaboration with industry partners to ensure training aligns with current shop practices and employer expectations. As the demand for skilled collision repair technicians continues to grow, this program helps close the skilled workforce gap by helping students to enter the field with relevant, job-ready experience.
- Earn While You Learn: Students participate in paid apprenticeships with local collision repair shops while completing their coursework, allowing them to earn income while gaining real-world experience and an Associate of Science degree.
- Tuition Reimbursement: Students receive tuition reimbursement for each successfully completed work rotation, helping reduce out-of-pocket education costs and rewarding progress through the apprenticeship model.
- Complimentary Tools & Tool Kit: Students receive a professional tool kit as part of the program, supporting hands-on training during school and helping graduates transition directly into the workforce with essential equipment.
- Industry-Aligned Curriculum: Coursework is developed in collaboration with industry partners to reflect current shop practices, repair standards, and evolving technologies.
- Hands-On, Real-World Training: Students gain practical experience using modern equipment and techniques in both classroom and shop environments.
- Direct Employer Connections: The program connects students with local employers for mentorship, apprenticeships, and employment before graduation.
- Career Readiness & Personal and Professional Development (PPD): In addition to technical training, students participate in training focused on communication, professionalism, confidence, and workplace expectations—supporting a smoother transition from student to professional.
- High-Demand Career Path: Collision repair offers strong job demand and opportunities for stable, skilled employment and advancement.
What You’ll Learn
Students in the program receive hands-on training in key areas of collision repair, including:
- Collision damage analysis, repair processes and repair planning (blueprinting)
- Structural and non-structural repair techniques for steel and aluminum
- Welding, bonding, and plastics repair
- Refinishing, blending and color matching
- Electrical diagnosis, ADAS calibration and EV safety certification
- Use of modern tools, equipment, and technologies
Students also learn and practice:
- Professional development and communication skills
- Resume writing and interview skills
- Portfolio creation and recordkeeping for timed tasks
- Workplace ethics and industry repair standards
How It Works
The Collision Engineering Program at El Camino College is a 28-month (5 semester) program. Students rotate between spending 8 weeks at El Camino and 8 weeks employed.
Semester 1 - Fall
1st 8 weeks: Beginning collision repair, detailing, removal and installation of parts
2nd 8 weeks: Work rotation #1
Winter – No classes required. Recommended: General education classes or continued employment
Semester 2 – Spring
1st 8 weeks: Welding, dent repair, feather, prime and block, electrical circuits
2nd 8 weeks: Work rotation #2
Summer: No classes required. Recommended: General education classes or continued employment
Semester 3 – Fall
1st 8 weeks: Damage analysis and measuring, blueprinting, painting and blending
2nd 8 weeks: Work rotation #3
Winter - No classes required. Recommended: General education classes or continued employment
Semester 4 – Spring
1st 8 weeks: Structural repairs, frame straightening, suspension and alignment, tri-coat painting
2nd 8 weeks: Work rotation #4
Summer - No classes required. Recommended: General education classes or continued employment
Semester 5 – Fall
1st 8 weeks: Aluminum, composites and EV structural and non-structural repairs
2nd 8 weeks: Work rotation #5/permanent full-time employment
Program Requirements
The Collision Engineering Program seeks people with passion, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn.
Participants must:
- Be a current El Camino College student
- Be authorized to work in the United States
- Be 18 years old or older
- Secure employment with a qualified collision repair center
- Possess a valid driver's license and clean driving record
- Pass a drug test
- Commit to the full 28-month (5-semester) program
For more information, contact [email protected] or [email protected]
- Earn While You Learn: Students participate in paid apprenticeships with local collision repair shops while completing their coursework, allowing them to earn income while gaining real-world experience and an Associate of Science degree.
- Tuition Reimbursement: Students receive tuition reimbursement for each successfully completed work rotation, helping reduce out-of-pocket education costs and rewarding progress through the apprenticeship model.
- Complimentary Tools & Tool Kit: Students receive a professional tool kit as part of the program, supporting hands-on training during school and helping graduates transition directly into the workforce with essential equipment.
- Industry-Aligned Curriculum: Coursework is developed in collaboration with industry partners to reflect current shop practices, repair standards, and evolving technologies.
- Hands-On, Real-World Training: Students gain practical experience using modern equipment and techniques in both classroom and shop environments.
- Direct Employer Connections: The program connects students with local employers for mentorship, apprenticeships, and employment before graduation.
- Career Readiness & Personal and Professional Development (PPD): In addition to technical training, students participate in training focused on communication, professionalism, confidence, and workplace expectations—supporting a smoother transition from student to professional.
- High-Demand Career Path: Collision repair offers strong job demand and opportunities for stable, skilled employment and advancement.
What You’ll Learn
Students in the program receive hands-on training in key areas of collision repair, including:
- Collision damage analysis, repair processes and repair planning (blueprinting)
- Structural and non-structural repair techniques for steel and aluminum
- Welding, bonding, and plastics repair
- Refinishing, blending and color matching
- Electrical diagnosis, ADAS calibration and EV safety certification
- Use of modern tools, equipment, and technologies
Students also learn and practice:
- Professional development and communication skills
- Resume writing and interview skills
- Portfolio creation and recordkeeping for timed tasks
- Workplace ethics and industry repair standards
How It Works
The Collision Engineering Program at El Camino College is a 28-month (5 semester) program. Students rotate between spending 8 weeks at El Camino and 8 weeks employed.
Semester 1 - Fall
1st 8 weeks: Beginning collision repair, detailing, removal and installation of parts
2nd 8 weeks: Work rotation #1
Winter – No classes required. Recommended: General education classes or continued employment
Semester 2 – Spring
1st 8 weeks: Welding, dent repair, feather, prime and block, electrical circuits
2nd 8 weeks: Work rotation #2
Summer: No classes required. Recommended: General education classes or continued employment
Semester 3 – Fall
1st 8 weeks: Damage analysis and measuring, blueprinting, painting and blending
2nd 8 weeks: Work rotation #3
Winter - No classes required. Recommended: General education classes or continued employment
Semester 4 – Spring
1st 8 weeks: Structural repairs, frame straightening, suspension and alignment, tri-coat painting
2nd 8 weeks: Work rotation #4
Summer - No classes required. Recommended: General education classes or continued employment
Semester 5 – Fall
1st 8 weeks: Aluminum, composites and EV structural and non-structural repairs
2nd 8 weeks: Work rotation #5/permanent full-time employment
Program Requirements
The Collision Engineering Program seeks people with passion, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn.
Participants must:
- Be a current El Camino College student
- Be authorized to work in the United States
- Be 18 years old or older
- Secure employment with a qualified collision repair center
- Possess a valid driver's license and clean driving record
- Pass a drug test
- Commit to the full 28-month (5-semester) program
For more information, contact [email protected] or [email protected]
Who is the Collision Engineering Career Alliance?
The Collision Engineering Career Alliance is a 501c(3) non-profit organization started by John Helterbrand, who pioneered a successful earn-and-learn collision repair education model at Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, MO. The model addresses the culture shock unsupported graduates feel when entering the repair industry.
The Collision Engineering Career Alliance now partners with Enterprise Mobility and six other schools across the US. The feedback and media attention have been overwhelmingly positive. The Collision Engineering apprenticeship model was recognized by the Department of Labor in 2025, and the organization is focused on bringing professional standards and industry collaboration to collision repair schools nationwide. Visit their website here: Collision Engineering Career Alliance.
Mentors Wanted
If you own, manage, or work at a collision repair facility in the South Bay and want to get involved as an industry advisor, employer, or mentor, please contact [email protected] or [email protected]. Partner shops and mentors are signed every summer.
Don’t forget that your current entry-level employees can become Collision Engineering students too!