Automotive Collision Repair : Emily Griffith Technical College

Automotive Collision Repair

We have full-time and part-time start dates throughout the year! Give us a call at 720-423-4700 to find out when our next available start date is.

Welding, painting, metalwork. Restoring vehicles old and new.  These are examples of what you can do as a Automotive Collision Repair Technician. 

What is Automotive Collision Repair? Automotive Collision Repair involves repairing and restoring the bodies of vehicles of all types, including metal work, welding and painting. Auto Collision Repair technicians also do custom body work – designing and modifying old and new vehicles.

At Emily Griffith, our part-time evening program will give you hands-on experience with all aspects of automotive body work, including frame and structural alignment, plastic repair, painting, detailing, welding and more. 

Latest technology: Our state-of-the-art facility includes a GARMAT downdraft spray booth along with two matching prep decks for painting, a new 3M fresh air system, a Chief Titan 360 frame rack with computerized measurement system, and 6 clean air welding booths. 

Convenient classes: Classes are in the evenings from 6pm-10pm so you can continue to work. 

High-demand career: Enjoy a 78 percent job placement rate in the GIS field with your Emily Griffith GIS certificate.

Want more information? Get the Automotive Collision Repair Program Flyer and the Automotive Collision Repair Checklist.

What Can I Do with an Emily Griffith Automotive Collision Repair Certificate?

Graduates from Emily Griffith’s Automotive Collision Repair program use their certificate to up their technology game at their current jobs or to work in jobs such as the following:

  • Auto collision estimator
  • Auto repair and body shops
  • Restoration and custom shops
  • Car dealerships
  • Insurance estimator

Other potential career paths include jobs in custom painting and graphics, non-structural repairs, service advising, insurance adjustment.

 How Emily Powered My Career

“They gave me the opportunity to learn—they gave me a scholarship.” Ariana Gonzales, Automotive Service Graduate

Skilled Trades
$7,439
Approximate cost. Additional material and book fees may apply
Part Time Program
18 Months
Program length


No upcoming starts available.

Apply to Emily Griffith Technical College

Course Information

Required Courses

Course Code Course Title Credits
ACT 110 Safety in Collision Repair 2
ACT 111 Metal Welding and Cutting I 3
ACT 121 Non-Structural Repair Preparation 3
ACT 122 Panel Repair and Replacements 3
ACT 123 Metal Finishing and Body Filling 3
ACT 131 Structural Damage Diagnosis 3
ACT 132 Structural Damage Repair 3
ACT 141 Refinishing Safety 1
ACT 142 Surface Preparation I 2
ACT 143 Spray Equipment Operation 2
ACT 144 Refinishing I 2
ACT 151 Plastics and Adhesives I 1
ACT 170 Auto Collision Tech Lab Exp I 3
ACT 171 Auto Collision Tech Lab II 3
ACT 172 Auto Collision Tech Lab III 3
ACT 205 Estimating and Shop Management 3
ACT 211 Metal Welding and Cutting II 2
ACT 241 Paint Defects 3
ACT 243 Refinishing II 2
ACT 251 Plastics and Adhesives II 1
ACT 110 Safety in Collision Repair

Introduces the student to safety techniques and operation as it relates to shop safety and industry standards. The student is exposed to regulations and collision shop operations. In addition, the student becomes involved with VICA, developing writing and speaking skills.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
ACT 111 Metal Welding and Cutting I

Covers sheet metal oxygen-acetylene welding and MIG welding techniques including safety, materials, equipment and setups. Personal and vehicle protective measures prior to welding procedures is presented.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
ACT 121 Non-Structural Repair Preparation

Covers the basic characteristics of preparation for automotive repair. Students familiarize themselves with damage analysis, extent of damage and the sequence of repair. Focuses on removal of vehicle components and protection of panels along with storage and labeling of parts. Safety procedures and equipment use are included.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
ACT 122 Panel Repair and Replacements

Covers straightening techniques including tension pulls/stress relief, metal finishing, metal shrinking and use of fillers. Emphasizes the identification, handling and replacement of parts such as adjustment and alignment of bolt-on parts, fixed parts and accessories. Training covers the use of adhesives, sound deadeners and welding methods performed during repairs.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
ACT 123 Metal Finishing and Body Filling

Develops skills in metal finishing, metal shrinking, and the use of cosmetic fillers. Emphasis is placed on the use of proper tools required to perform these tasks, including use, selection and safety procedures for tools and equipment selected. Paint less Dent Repair Tools will also be introduced in this course along with beginning level repair techniques.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
ACT 131 Structural Damage Diagnosis

Focuses on methods of frame measurement using dimension charts and service manuals. Includes the use of self-centering gauges and mechanical and electronic measuring. Appropriate terms and definitions of vehicle structures and vehicle diagnosis is covered including identification and analysis of damage. Includes the techniques for basic hook ups and safety procedures used in making corrective pulls.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
ACT 132 Structural Damage Repair

Continues the study and application of frame measurement and repair. The student applies methods found in dimension charts and service manuals for vehicle diagnosis and straightening. Training includes the replacement of a structural panel with the identification of damaged suspension components replaced according to manufacturer's recommendations.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
ACT 141 Refinishing Safety

Covers correct use of safety procedures used in refinishing. Proper fit and use of various types of protective equipment is emphasized. The identification of tools and equipment, with use and maintenance is covered including national guidelines for proper disposal and handling of hazardous materials.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
ACT 142 Surface Preparation I

Performs surface preparation for refinishing including cleaning, sanding, feather edging, chemical treatment of bare materials and priming. The application of primers includes rationale and use of colored primers and sealers. In addition, the course will cover spot-priming for repaired areas.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
ACT 143 Spray Equipment Operation

Covers the inspection, cleaning and determination of the condition of spray guns and related equipment. Students learn skills for adjusting spray guns by setting-up and testing spray gun operations.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
ACT 144 Refinishing I

Provides the knowledge needed for application and use of automotive paint systems. Course includes locating color codes, mixing formulas, matching and selections of materials. Proper paint gun use and adjustments is taught for the product being applied. In addition, the student practices correct masking and detailing techniques.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
ACT 151 Plastics and Adhesives I

Designed to teach the state-of-the-art repair for both rigid and flexible plastic components and choosing adhesives using the latest manufacturer's repair techniques.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
ACT 170 Auto Collision Tech Lab Exp I

Designed to prepare the student to perform basic tasks for a specialized area in a controlled instructional lab.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
ACT 171 Auto Collision Tech Lab II

Course is a continuation of Lab experience. Designed to prepare the individual to perform basic tasks for a specialized area in a controlled instructional lab.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
ACT 172 Auto Collision Tech Lab III

Course is a continuation of Lab experience. Designed to prepare the individual to perform basic tasks for a specialized area in a controlled instructional lab.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
ACT 205 Estimating and Shop Management

Initiates written estimates on damaged vehicles. Students learn shop management including work orders, ordering supplies, operating costs, time cards, shop liabilities, employee's safety and insurance management issues.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
ACT 211 Metal Welding and Cutting II

Covers mig welding procedures of seam weld, stitch welds and destructive testing. Resistance spot welding, which includes two-sided spot weld, plasma cutting, safety, materials, and equipment and operating procedures, with emphasis on shop safety are also presented.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
ACT 241 Paint Defects

Covers paint defects. Emphasizes the causes of paint defects with methods to cure problems during and after refinishing procedures. Students learn to identiy the proper surface preparations to apply prior to refinishing. Training includes using paint equipment and determining paint film thickness with proper temperatures for refinishing.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
ACT 243 Refinishing II

In this advanced course students learn the necessary skills used to tint and blend panels working with the latest finishes and paints. Special coatings and procedures are covered in this course.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
ACT 251 Plastics and Adhesives II

Emphasizes advanced plastic and adhesives. The current state-of-the-art repair for both rigid and flexible plastic components using the latest manufacturer's repair techniques are presented. Sheet Molded Compound procedures and the use of proper adhesives is covered.

Start Date: No upcoming starts available.
EMILY’S STORIES


“I had to figure out how to organize my life and my family and how to be successful in the U.S.”
— Adnan

In Syria, Adnan studied pharmacology in college and worked as a Pharmaceutical Representative and in medical sales for 7 years. When he first arrived here in Denver, he heard about Emily Griffith and started taking English classes. “One of the challenges I faced upon arriving was getting familiar with new words, new language, new environment, new expectations,” explains Adnan. “I had to figure out how to organize my life and my family and how to be successful in the U.S. It was really expensive in Colorado and a challenge to get a job. I got a job as a driver, but it wasn’t in my field and I didn’t make enough to pay my expenses.”

He says that Tiffany Jaramillo helped him in the CAREERS program and once his English was good enough he worked on getting into the Pharmacy Tech program. “I needed to get my high school diploma from my country, but this was too hard because my country was in the war. I had to get the documents I had translated and then work with the Health Science department to get approved with what I had,” explains Adnan.

The Pharmacy Tech classes have had their own challenges for Adnan. “I had to learn a new vocabulary and medical words. My primary language is Arabic and most of the people in my class speak English,” he says. “Mr. Joe has helped me if I need specific or more help or clarifications. He is a helpful man.”

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