Collision Repair and Refinishing Diploma

Learn how to repair vehicles and make the most out of shop operations. This two-year diploma includes a 2-week industry work placement and teaches students automotive refinishing, auto body collision repair and auto glass repair and replacement.

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Collision Repair student grinds material to smooth the finish.

Campus

  • Kelowna
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Legend:
  • Full program offered
  • Partial program offered

Credential

Diploma

Delivery options

Full-Time

  • International students eligible

Tuition and fees

2023-24: $13,706.36 (entire two-year program)

Program details

If you have any questions about how a course or program is delivered, you can check the Trades website, email the Department Chair or email the Trades & Apprenticeship office:

Apprenticeship: apprenticeship@okanagan.bc.ca
Foundation and General Interest: trades@okanagan.bc.ca

This two-year diploma program is designed for students who wish to obtain employment in the automotive industry as an Automotive Collision Repair Technician, Refinishing Preparation Technician or Auto Glass Technician. The program begins by providing the student with the first year of apprenticeship training followed by second-year courses that focus on industry required skills in estimating, office skills and entrepreneurship.


This unique program provides training in four technical areas that include automotive refinishing preparation, automotive refinishing, automotive collision repair and auto glass repair and replacement. Each of these areas will be covered providing the graduate with completion of four modules of level one technical training. Upon successful completion of the technical training, students will be eligible to write the provincial SkilledTradesBC standardized examinations.

Please note that students who complete the program will be eligible to write the provincial Industry Training Authority (ITA) standardized exams for Level 1 Auto Body and Collision Technician (includes Level 1 Automotive Refinishing Technician) and Automotive Glass Technician.
Students who go on to apprentice may request transfer credits from the ITA as per below:

Auto Body and Collision Technician

  • ITA Foundation Program Certificate of Completion
  • Level 1 Technical Training
  • 625 Work-Based Training Hours

Automotive Refinishing Technician

  • ITA Foundation Program Certificate of Completion
  • Level 1 Technical Training
  • 450 Work-Based Training Hours

Automotive Glass Technician

  • Level 1 Technical Training

Textbooks required for the Collision Repair and Refinishing Diploma:

  • Collision Repair & Refinishing Foundation CRS for Technicians – 3rd Edition - $224.79

5% GST is not included in price. Price is subject to change.


Other required supplies
  • 3 ring binder/notebooks
  • Pencils, pens, erasers
  • Access to a Windows-based computer is mandatory
  • Coveralls
  • CSA-approved (green tag) safety boots
  • All other safety equipment will be supplied

Government-issued picture ID is required to write the provincial and national exams: driver's licence, photo ID or valid passport. Student ID cards are not acceptable.

Applicants who have not satisfied the Math admission requirement within the last seven years, and/or do not meet the English admission requirement, must write the TEA Math and/or English test. Both of the assessments are online, multiple-choice and timed. Applicants are allotted 1 hour to complete each section (2 hours for both). A practice assessment and study resources are offered to all applicants who register to write the TEA.  Calculators are not allowed while completing the Math section; applicants who are observed to use a calculator of any sort, will receive a grade of zero.  Applicants who do not achieve the minimum passing requirement on their initial attempt, are offered a second attempt, at no additional cost, after a two-week study period. 

Please ensure you write the assessment, and any required re-writes, prior to the deadline for admissions requirements, provided by the Registrar’s office. For more information or to register for the Trades Entrance Assessment, click here. Further questions can be directed to the Trades and Apprenticeship office at trades@okanagan.bc.ca.

Please note: Applicants who successfully completed the ABLE test at Okanagan College, within the two years prior to application for admission shall have their results accepted as equivalent to the Trades Entrance Assessment. 

The textbook list above was current at the time it was posted and may be used for initial planning purposes. Please check back with the bookstore 2 weeks before your program starts under Current Book List for a final, updated list of book titles and prices, and to order!

Textbooks available online only at OC Campus Store. If you have any questions, call 250-862-5638 or email campusstores@okanagan.bc.ca.

It takes approximately two to three business days to fill the online orders, please be sure to purchase the necessary items prior to the 1st day of class.

CollisionRepairAndRefinishingDiploma

Admission requirements

  • B.C. secondary school graduation, or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for at least one year as of the first day of classes.
  • English 11 with minimum 50% or alternatives.
  • A minimum 50% in one of:
    • Mathematics Grade 10
    • Foundations of Mathematics and Pre-calculus Grade 10
    • Both Adult Basic Education MATH 071/072
    • Or a minimum of 50% in the TEA mathematics test.
  • Relevant trades experience may be assessed for entry into this program.

Year Two entry:

  • A student who has successfully completed the Collision Repair/Refinishing Prep Technician Foundation Program within the previous five years is also eligible for admittance into the second year of this diploma program.

Program outline

Year 1

CRRD 110 - Workplace Safety
CRRD 115 - Tools and Equipment
CRRD 120 - Collision Facility Operations
CRRD 125 - Essential Trade Skills
CRRD 130 - Cutting and Heating Technologies
CRRD 135 - Welding
CRRD 140 - Fundamentals of Collision Repair
CRRD 145 - Sheet Metal/Aluminum Repair
CRRD 150 - Plastics and Composite Repair
CRRD 155 - Surface Preparation
CRRD 160 - Undercoats

Year 2

CRRD 210 - Plan Work
CRRD 215 - Trade Practice
CRRD 220 - Topcoats
CRRD 225 - Paint Problems and Repairs
CRRD 230 - Pre-Delivery
CRRD 235 - Mechanical Components
CRRD 240 - Automotive Glass
CRRD 245 - Shop Management and Estimating
CRRD 250 - Collision Impact Analysis
CRRD 255 - Advanced Repair Techniques
CRRD 260 - Prepare for Employment
Graduates must complete the 22 courses with a minimum passing grade of 60% in each course.
Students must achieve an average grade of no less than 70% in each year.
Additional information

View the official Calendar details and policies
Learn more about the department
View the Tuition and fees page

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