Earlier this year, research emerged showing that the collision repair industry was considered a stable career path with high earning potential. According to the Future Collision Repair Workforce Study, conducted by CCC Intelligent Solutions and the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), 81% of respondents are seeking career that allows them to work with their hands.
In light of the study revealing a positive perception of the industry among the next generation, Autobody News talked to three participants of the auto body program at Santana High School in Santee, Calif., to learn why they joined the program, their experience at the SkillsUSA competition, and why industry support is critical for the future. They included three recent graduates and a student who will be entering her senior year in the fall.
Hands-on learning draws students to unconventional path
Ben Siekert began taking the auto body class at Santana High School as a sophomore. “It looked different from the other classes my school offered,” he recalled. “At the time, I didn’t know much about auto body, but I wanted to try something hands-on and ended up really enjoying it.”
After completing the two-year program, Siekert became a teaching assistant so that he could continue being part of the program as a senior.
“What I enjoyed most is being outside of a normal classroom, working with my hands, learning real-life skills, and having such a passionate teacher,” he said.
SkillsUSA competition opens doors to scholarships and tools
Over the past two years, Siekert has taken part in the SkillsUSA competition and said the experience was a huge blessing. “I’m very grateful for the opportunities it has given me,” he shared. Last year, he won the state championship in Collision Repair Technology and received a full core tuition scholarship to the Universal Technical Institute (UTI). This year, he placed second and received a Lincoln Electric welding helmet and Snap-on wrenches.
Siekert plans to use his scholarship to attend UTI for collision repair, then join a shop while continuing to improve his skills and working toward becoming a master technician.
He stressed the importance of shops getting involved with their local high school programs. “Autobody is a dying trade, and students are the next generation of collision repair technicians,” he said. “Their support helps prepare younger technicians to replace the ones who are retiring.”
Family inspiration leads to refinishing specialty
Aspen Van also noted the benefits of shops supporting students. “Without their help, it would be very difficult to make it into this industry,” he shared. “When body shops sponsor us, not only does it help us pay for equipment, but it also prepares us to go into the industry with connections and experience.”’
Van’s father inspired his love for classic cars at a young age, and he ultimately purchased a 1974 Pontiac Firebird coupe. When Van learned about the auto body class at Santana High School two years ago, he felt it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
“When I met Mr. Sikora for the first time and went into his class, it felt like it was just calling to me,” Van recalled. “I've loved every bit of it.” His favorite part of the program was painting. Although he said it was a little nerve-racking, he learned the correct refinish process through Sikora’s guidance.
Van took part in the state SkillsUSA competition this year in the category of automotive refinishing technology. Although he did not make it onto the podium, he placed seventh overall in the competition.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps to become an aviation mechanic. “There's a very good chance I can use what I learned in auto body to help propel myself in the future,” he said. Van also plans to use the skills he learned to restore his car.
Real-world training helps close the industry skills gap
Jerry Vanderhyde III, a recent graduate of Santana High School, said it’s important for shops to get involved in high school auto body programs because it provides students with real-world experience and prepares them for careers in the industry.
“When body shops get involved, students can learn current techniques, safety standards, and what employers expect,” he said. “It also helps close the skills gap and ensures that future technicians are better trained.”
Vanderhyde decided to enroll in the auto body program because he has always been interested in cars and how they are repaired and restored.
“I wanted to learn hands-on skills that could help me build a career in the automotive industry instead of only learning from textbooks,” he noted.
After being part of Santana’s program for three years, what he enjoyed the most was working on projects, especially painting. He also liked seeing damaged cars slowly turn into something that looks new again.
Vanderhyde said that attending SkillsUSA over the last two years was a great experience.
“It helped me challenge myself and meet other students who are also interested in the skilled trades,” he said. Although Vanderhyde said he was nervous the first year, he was excited to compete the second time because he understood the goal and was able to represent his school. He earned awards in basic collision repair. “Even though I didn’t place, I was awarded with the great experience with this journey with the best teacher and teammates I could ever ask for,” said Vanderhyde. “Competing helped me improve my confidence and technical skills.”
Vanderhyde plans to attend UTI. After completing the auto body program, he would like to become an automotive technician and eventually specialize as a master tech. “My goal is to continue improving my skills and possibly work at Porsche where I can keep learning and grow in the field,” he said.
Teacher's passion sparks interest, industry partnerships offer path forward
Ariel MacPherson will be starting her senior year at Santana High School in the fall. She decided to enroll in the auto body program due to Sikora’s passion for what he teaches. “Before attending Santana, I had no interest in the industry,” she recalled.
After taking a summer school class for extra credit, her homeroom was in the body shop. She learned a lot during that time and met Sikora, who she said is one of the best teachers.
“Mr. Sikora truly loves his craft and it’s translated into his teaching style,” said MacPherson. “When I decided to pick classes for my sophomore year, I knew I had to join.”
Since she has been part of the two-year program, MacPherson has really enjoyed the class’s uniqueness, as well as the community and learning with peers.
“The amount of learning and bonding I have gained with others in this class is something I never get in regular textbook classes,” she said.
However, she acknowledged that there is only so much that students can learn. With 20 or more in a class, MacPherson pointed out that fewer supplies can be passed around.
By working and collaborating with local body shops, she said students who demonstrate excellence can further their education and gain a taste of the industry.
After this experience, MacPherson plans to join the industry differently than many of her classmates by becoming a corporate lawyer and assisting automotive shops and companies.
Stacey Phillips Ronak