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School of Skilled Trades

Pre-Employment Auto Body Repair

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The Pre-Employment Auto Body Repair programs take just 15 weeks to prepare you for an entry-level position in the auto body trade. Studies include industry regulations, component removal and installation, substrate preparations, and basic sheet metal repair.

Graduates of the program can challenge the first period apprenticeship related theory examination for the Auto Body Technician program.

Quick Facts

Credential: Certificate

Diplomas and Certificates are credit programs that take 1 or 2 years and lead to government approved and industry-recognized credentials.

Campus: Patricia

Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at NAIT's Patricia Campus in Edmonton. View map

Delivery Options:

  • Both On-Campus and Virtual - Some of your coursework will be in-person, on campus and some will be done online.

Length: 15 Weeks

With a typical full-time course load, this program will take 15 Weeks to complete.

Open Studies: Not Available

This program does not currently have any courses available for Open Studies.

International Students: Not Accepted

This program is not accepting international students for this intake.

Grad Employment Rate

Employment rates reported by NAIT alumni are for information purposes and do not guarantee future employment opportunities.

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Median Starting Salary

Salaries reported by NAIT alumni are for information purposes and are not a guarantee of future alumni income.

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Hands-on, industry-relevant training

Students in the Pre-employment Auto Body Repair program will receive all the technical training normally obtained in the first period of a traditional apprenticeship program, including

  • industry overview and regulations
  • Auto Body Safety
  • Communication and Auto Body Shop Operations
  • component removal and installation
  • substrate preparations including body fillers
  • hand-skills and basic sheet metal repair
  • vehicle detailing

NAIT's Auto Body program is the largest provider of auto body training for apprentices and non-apprentices in Alberta. NAIT provides technical training to meet Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training's (AIT) instructional requirements.

Auto Body Repair

2021 Provincial Skills Canada Competition: NAIT  Auto Body Repair

Get an inside look at NAIT Auto Body Repair students competing in the 2021 Provincial Skills Canada Competition.

Enter the workforce with confidence 

After securing employment, students may continue on to apprentice as an auto body technician in NAIT's Auto Body Technician program.

Graduates are typically employed by:

  • body shops
  • dealerships
  • truck repair shops
  • industrial painting shops
  • automotive supply firms
  • insurance companies
Auto Body Repair Instructor and Student

Experienced auto body technicians can move into supervisory positions, start their own businesses or become damage appraisers for insurance companies.

Graduates of the program who choose to continue on to Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) to apprentice as an auto body technician can receive AIT's accreditation for the technical training component of first period Auto Body Technician program. To challenge the first period apprenticeship related theory examination, students must meet the specific attendance and mark criteria as set out by AIT. A fee of $150 must be paid to AIT.

Auto body technicians who hold a valid trade certificate from Alberta or from another Canadian province or territory can apply to write the Motor Vehicle Body Repairer Interprovincial Exam. If they are successful, they can then be granted a Red Seal under the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program. The Red Seal is recognized throughout most of Canada.

International Students

Some NAIT programs are unavailable to international students because they do not meet eligibility for a study permit or Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). 

  • Study Permit: This program is a credit certificate and meets the criteria for a study permit and a co-op work permit. 
  •  Co-op Work Permit:  Students enrolled in this program must complete a work practicum. As such, you must apply for a co-op work permit and receive approval before the start of your work placement.
  • Post-Graduation Work Permit: This program is too short to meet the requirements for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Completion of this program will not make you eligible for a PGWP.

International applicants seeking permissions to take this program can contact a NAIT Academic Advisor – International to discuss options.

Advanced Credit

You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).

Transfer Credit

In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section and on the Transfer Credit Request Form (PDF), your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:

  • You must have completed the course or program no more than 5 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
  • You must have a minimum mark of C in the course(s) or program

Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.

Courses

Expand each course below to see details about credits, requisites, scheduling, and more.

Tuition & Fees

Scholarships & Awards

The following scholarships and/or bursaries are available to you as a student in this program. To access your opportunities, visit the Student Portal.

How to Apply

Want to learn more about this program?

Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions.

Please contact the Student Service Centre for general inquiries such as:

  • Student application support
  • Program entrance requirements, tuition & fees, and how to apply
  • Program admissions process
  • Enrolment support
  • Student funding options
  • Fee and refund inquiries
  • General program and course withdrawal procedures
  • Navigating nait.ca and MyNAITPortal

Contact Student Service Centre

Please fill out the form below if you have any program-specific questions relating to:

  • Program details
  • Work-integrated learning and cooperative education
  • Advance credit and Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
  • Program and course withdrawal



The personal information on this form is being collected under the authority of the Post-secondary Learning Act and section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP). The information will be protected by the provisions of FOIP, and will be used for the purpose of registration and administration of the event. If you have any questions or concerns about the collection, use, security or disclosure of the personal information, please contact General Council at 780.471.7664 or legal@nait.ca.

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