
Apply technical knowledge and skills in the adjustment, maintenance, part replacement, and repair of vehicles.
Automotive Repair and Refinishing
What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Apply the skills and knowledge necessary to perform at an apprentice level Auto Body and Collision Technician to provincial standards.
- Apply the skills and knowledge necessary to perform at an apprentice level Automotive Refinishing Technician to provincial standards.
- Apply the skills and knowledge necessary to perform at an apprentice level Automotive Glass Technician to provincial standards.
- Evaluate completed repairs for consistency, accuracy and quality according to industry specifications and standards.
- Adhere to industry health and safety standards in the repair and reconditioning of automotive vehicles.
- Practice professional etiquette and personal hygiene while performing repairs.
- Work effectively as a team member while performing repairs.
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
This full-time program is two (2) years in duration delivered over four semesters, and must be completed within five (5) years.
The Automotive Repair and Refinishing Diploma provides a wide range of opportunities for student learning in classroom, shop and workplace settings and online. In addition to hands-on practical experience at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½â€™s own state of the art automotive collision repair and refinishing facility, instructional activities such as lectures, demonstrations, group work, peer assessment, reflective journals, and project based learning strategies are used throughout the program. ÌýStudents progress through courses in four semesters, each of which requiring successful completion for advancement to the next level.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- Grade 12 graduation or equivalent
- English 10 or equivalent
- Workplace Math 10 or equivalent
OR
- Department assessment of mechanical reasoning
Note: Applicants must have minimum basic computer skills and access to an internet-connected computer/mobile device.
General
- Seats are offered to applicants who have met all admission requirements, on a first-qualified, first-served basis.
- International applicants must be 17 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and educational documents as required by their course or program.
- All ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ applicants are required to function successfully in an English-speaking classroom. English requirements vary by program. For details, visit ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ International - English Requirements.
Program Considerations
Program activities require:
- frequent lifting and moving of heavy equipment, automotive parts, and materials;
- frequent movement alternating between standing, bending, kneeling and reaching;
- extended periods (5+ hours) of standing/walking on concrete floors/hard surfaces;
- differentiating colours for safety codes, wiring, and automotive paint colour analysis and tinting;
- the operation of automobiles for staging/positioning within the facility;
- precise hand-eye coordination and dexterity. Activities may include the operation of equipment and machines, detailed assembly, and small-scale technical work requiring steady hand movements.
Program environment involves:
- exposure to fumes, dust, and airborne particles from paints, solvents, and mechanical processes;
- exposure to loud machinery noise, power tools, and equipment vibrations;
- exposure to automotive chemicals and strong odors from paint, solvents and additives, cleaning agents, polishing compounds, fuels, oils, lubricants and coolants.
Other considerations include:
- the required use of computers to access web-based course materials, and to complete quizzes and exams;
- following detailed oral and written instruction in the English language.
If you have a disability or diagnosis and think you might face challenges with any of the listed program considerations, please contact disabilityservices@vcc.ca or 604.871.7500 to explore possible accommodations/supports.
Courses *
Classes for Year 1 students will run between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday – Friday for a total of 30 hours a week. Classes for Year 2 students will run between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday – Friday for a total of 25 hours a week.
Students will be expected to attend classes in the cohort schedules that are assigned to them. Class times are subject to change.
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.
| Term One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ´¡°ä¸é¶ÙÌý1100 | Workplace Skills and Safety | 2.5 |
| ´¡°ä¸é¶ÙÌý1105 | Tools and Equipment | 2.5 |
| ´¡°ä¸é¶ÙÌý1130 | Communication Skills 1 | 3.5 |
| ´¡°ä¸é¶ÙÌý1135 | Detailing 1 | 1 |
| ´¡°ä¸é¶ÙÌý1145 | Welding, Cutting & Heating Steel 1 | 3.0 |
| ´¡°ä¸é¶ÙÌý1150 | Construction and Components 1 | 3 |
| ´¡°ä¸é¶ÙÌý1155 | Estimating, Planning and Scheduling 1 | 1 |
| Ìý | Credits | 16.5 |
| Term Two | ||
| ACRDÌý1200 | Sheet Metal Repair | 4 |
| ACRDÌý1205 | Advanced Sheet Metal Repairs | 3 |
| ACRDÌý1210 | Plastics and Composites | 1 |
| ACRDÌý1220 | Construction and Components 2 | 3 |
| ACRDÌý1230 | Communication Skills 2 | 3.5 |
| ACRDÌý1240 | Welding, Cutting & Heating Steel 2 | 1 |
| ACRDÌý1255 | Estimating, Planning and Scheduling 2 | 1 |
| Ìý | Credits | 16.5 |
| Term Three | ||
| ACRDÌý2130 | Trade Practice 1 | 3 |
| ACRDÌý2135 | Detailing 2 | 1 |
| ACRDÌý2140 | Refinishing Tools and Equipment | 1 |
| ACRDÌý2145 | Surface Preparation and Masking | 4 |
| ACRDÌý2150 | Using Refinishing Materials and Equipment | 4 |
| ACRDÌý2165 | Estimating, Planning & Scheduling 3 | 1 |
| ACRDÌý2170 | Advanced Automotive Refinishing | 2 |
| Ìý | Credits | 16 |
| Term Four | ||
| ACRDÌý2230 | Trade Practice 2 | 3 |
| ACRDÌý2236 | Auto Glass Repair and Replacement | 3 |
| ACRDÌý2255 | Estimating, Planning and Scheduling 4 | 1 |
| ACRDÌý2260 | Automotive Mechanical Systems | 2.5 |
| ACRDÌý2270 | Automotive Electrical Systems | 2.5 |
| ACRDÌý2280 | Welding and Repairing Aluminum | 3 |
| Ìý | Credits | 15 |
| Ìý | Total Credits | 64 |
This guide is intended as a general guideline only. The college reserves the right to make changes as appropriate.
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½'s Board of Governors.

Discover Open Studies
Open Studies lets you take courses from credit programs without having to be accepted into one. Based on availability, you can sample different courses, earn credits, and build new skills.
Explore your optionsFees and other costs *
Tuition deposits are payable usually within three weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.
Tuition Deposit: 12500 (10000 non-refundable).
Tution deposits are payable usually within two (2) weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.
| Tuition Deposit |
12500 (10000 non-refundable) Tution deposits are payable usually within two (2) weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued. |
|---|
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 145 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 40480 |
Breakdown
Tuition Breakdown
0 - 1
0 - 2
0 - 3
0 - 4
0 - 5
|
| Student union | 290 | |
| College initiative | 203 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 405 | |
| Laundry | 810 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 85 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| 570 | ||
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 657 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 3356 | |
| Total |
This is an international cohort program. As international cohorts are exclusively for international students, international fees apply throughout the duration of the program.
* Tuition and other fees are approximate and subject to increase up to 5% per year. Students will be required to pay increased rates if the fees change at any time during the period of enrolment in the program. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable.
Fees listed are for international students. For domestic programs, visit vcc.ca.
Any refunds are issued according to ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½'s international refund policy.