I've enrolled in collision school im supposed to start in january. Its a 2 year course it covers like EVERYTHING. And when I got out im sure I could get a great job I would still start small but I would work my way up fast as I proved that I could do what I claimed.

But also today I got a call from a body shop I went to and they are willing to have me as a helper in their shop, they say its good oppertunity and i could learn the field, but I just dont know how secure this would be? But I told them about the school and they said none of their guys ever went to school, and now they arent sure if they want to hire me because they need someone full time!

I really want to make a serious career out of collision repair and refinishing. But I dont want to be stuck in a shop as a helper for years making low pay barely learning anything?? Or maybe i'd learn more then I think, i have no idea..

So should I goto the 2 year school or work in the body shop as the helper?? WHAT SHOULD I DO?

 

Its ultimatly up to you, but getting on the job training is the way I would go. This is a good opportunity. and school will always be there.

 

Being an apprentice is a good opportunity, but so is a training school. My local mechanic offered my friend an apprenticeship so he could learn about transmissions. He goes to the shop during the day and goes to school at night.

The choice is yours. Good luck.

 

I went ahead and took the job. I start tommorow. still unsure on how my future will turn out but I took the job for now at least. I guess I can goto school still if I want later.

Thing is I just want to make a lot of money and be succesful thats all. And I'm wondering if starting as a helper is going to accually make that happen any time soon. Like how long will it be befor I can buy my own house and ****?

 

I went to WyoTech for collision/refinishing, it was a big waste of time, on the job experience way surpasses anything you could learn at a technical school....... None of the body shops that i applied at right when i got of school cared about my schooling all they cared about was experience! so i had to start at the bottom and work my way up and now i am an asst. manager of a shop.....

 

OTJ training is ok if you have an OLE G teaching you.... but i would reccomend school because whoever is teaching you ON THE JOB, has definatly been out of school for quite some time, and technology is always improving.....might learn some things you can teach the ole g's....

 

i say takek the job...

not saying that theres anything wrong with schooling or that its "not necessary", but to me experience will outweigh any type of schooling..

I took ZERO classes on bodywork, but pretty much taught myself how to do it.... i wont say im the BEST, but i feel im good enough at it for decency..

 

Work at the shop first. Find out if it is something that you really want to do. You will find out that you will never be rich but you will make a good living. At first you won't make much money at all cause you will be slow at what you are doing, but once you get good and there is steady work and you work on flat rate, then you can make really good money.

There is no replacement for on the job training. A school can teach you the basics and how to use the technology. A job will teach you how to impliment it.

 

thanks all for your replys. Like I said I took the job in the shop. I think it's gonna be great.