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Overview

Want to work in an auto body repair shop? If you’re looking for an alternative pathway into the auto body industry, our 12-week Pre-employment Auto Body program offers an excellent opportunity to kickstart your career.

This program will give you the fundamental skills needed for auto body repair. You will:

  • learn the essential steps and techniques to prepare a vehicle for repair, including removing the paint finish, taping, sanding and masking
  • discover how to prepare the surface of a vehicle properly
  • gain expertise in applying fillers and undercoats, which are used to smooth out imperfections in the vehicle’s surface
  • get trained in component removal and installation, as well as detailing techniques to ensure the finished repair looks impeccable
  • learn how to use tools and equipment safely and effectively.
As part of the program, you’ll work in an operational auto body shop. This hands-on experience will allow you to apply your newly acquired skills in a real-world setting and gain practical knowledge that can set you apart in the job market.

Once you graduate, you’ll be well-prepared to enter the auto body repair industry in an entry-level position. As you progress, you can become an apprentice and complete the required 3,400 work hours to earn your Alberta journeyperson certification as an auto body prepper. You can then choose to specialize further as an auto body refinisher or repairer or combine all three areas for certification as an auto body technician.

Whether you’re seeking a new career path or looking to gain essential skills quickly, this program is designed to provide you with a strong foundation and practical knowledge to start your journey toward becoming a skilled auto body professional.

Those in the autobody field are objective, methodical and innovative.

You need:

  • the strength and stamina required to handle heavy tools and parts 
  • manual dexterity 
  • creativity, patience and an eye for detail 
  • good colour vision 
  • computer skills 
  • customer services skills 
  • a commitment to safe work habits. 
You should enjoy creative decision-making and performing tasks that require precision. You should be prepared to stay updated with the annual changes manufacturers make in plastics, electronics, metals, finishes and paints.

This program aligns with the first period of Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training’s (AIT) Auto Body Technician curriculum.

Graduates are eligible to register as apprentices and challenge the first-period exam.

Once you pass the exam and complete the necessary training hours with an employer, you may register for SAIT’s Auto Body Technician apprenticeship program beginning in period two.

You’ll have the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge learned in class with two weeks of work in an auto body mechanic shop.

After successfully completing this program, you’ll receive a SAIT Pre-Employment Auto Body certificate. 

Download program info

Careers and opportunities

Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.

Associated National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes: 72020, 72411, 74203.

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Career counselling and support

Unsure which career path is for you? SAIT offers career planning services to help you decide your future.

You can also get started by taking our online career finder quiz, which can help you narrow down your search based on your current skills and interests.

Finally, you can also head to Alberta alis for various tools and resources, including additional quizzes and labour market information to help you narrow down a career path.

Services and workshops

Courses

The Pre-Employment Auto Body certificate program requires 12 credits (5 courses) to complete.

Course Credits

This is a theory course that delivers instruction on safety legislation, climbing, lifting, rigging and hoisting, hazardous materials and fire protection, apprenticeship training program, Alberta’s industry network, interprovincial standards, safety at workplace, regulations that affect the trade, workplace coaching skills, and communication methods.

 3

The substrate preparation course discusses the foundations required to perform many of the entry-level auto body repairs. Topics covered include substrate identification, application of fillers, sanding, masking and application of undercoats.

 3

Advanced Hand Skills covers the theory and practice of auto body repairs. Using safe and environmentally friendly procedures and equipment, you will gain and apply the skills necessary to remove and install body components, perform the final detailing steps for a vehicle, prepare a vehicle for the application of topcoats and undercoats, and repair small dents.

 1.5

The course introduces the tools and equipment commonly used to perform basic auto body repairs in the industry and explores auto body components, methods used to fasten the components, and the removal and installation procedures.

 3

The Work Integrated Learning (WIL) component of the Pre-Employment Auto Body program gives you the opportunity to gain valuable real-world work experience in the industry. You’ll complete two weeks of your program in an auto body mechanic shop, applying the knowledge you have learned in the program and gaining practical knowledge of workplace procedures and techniques.

 1.5

Progression

Students must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better in each semester and pass the necessary prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Review our grading and progression procedure >

Admission requirements

Applicants educated in Canada

All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and meet the following requirements or equivalents.

  • at least 50% in English Language Arts 10-2, and
  • at least 50% in Math 10-3, and
  • at least 50% in one Grade 10 Science.

SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission for applicants educated outside Alberta.

 

All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements with an international document assessment. Find out what educational documents are accepted and assessment options.

SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.

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Academic Upgrading

Missing an admission requirement for this program? Upgrade your prior education to help you receive admission into one of SAIT's career programs.

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English language proficiency

All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.

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Available intakes

Winter 2025

Start dates:

  • Feb 18, 2025
Domestic students: Open
  • Application deadline: Oct. 25, 2024

Costs

2024/25 tuition and fees

The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2024.

Domestic students

The estimated total cost of tuition and fees for domestic students is based on the recommended course load per year.
Year Number of semesters Tuition fees Additional fees Total per year
1 0.5* $6,768 $159 $6,927
Total cost:
 $6,927
*Less than one full semester of 16 weeks.

Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 per full-time year.

This is a bring-your-own-device program with a standard computer hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.

Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date.

Can’t find your program or course? The bookstore didn't receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they’re still refining course details or if you're in luck; no textbook purchase is required this term.

Required personal protective equipment (PPE)

Steel-toe boots and safety glasses are recommended.

2023/24 tuition and fees

The following costs are effective until June 30, 2023. They are an estimate of tuition and fees based on the recommended course load per year.

Domestic students

Year Number of semesters Tuition fees Additional fees Total per year
1 0.5* $6,768 $157 $6,925
Total cost:
 $6,925
*Less than one full semester of 16 weeks.
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Financial aid

Paying for your education may feel overwhelming, but we have resources and programs that can help, including information about payment options, student loans, grants and scholarships.

Learn more
Canada Alberta Job Grant icon

This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding.

Application process

Ready to apply?

Follow our step-by-step guide to submitting a successful application.

Learn how to apply

Communication during admission

Email is the primary source of communication during the selection process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the transportation.info@sait.ca domain to your safe senders list or you risk missing critical email messages.

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Begin your application

Apply now using the online application portal. 

Ensure you have a valid Visa or Mastercard to pay the non-refundable application fee of $120 for domestic applicants.

Apply now

Information sessions

Prepare for a strong start in your chosen program or get the details you need to decide your future path.

Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions and provide information about the following:

  • What sets SAIT apart
  • An introduction to the program and area of study
  • Admission requirements
  • Future career paths
  • Information on the earning potential and graduate employment rates.

Contact us

School of Transportation Advising

403.284.8471
transportation.info@sait.ca