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January 5, 2024Capital Region BOCES Program Puts Students on a Crash Course for Success
Deer. Trees. Other vehicles. Drivers in the Northeast and beyond are bound to have a run-in, literally, with one of the above during their lifetime, and they will turn to a body shop to repair the damage.
That’s where approximately 30 students in the Capital Region BOCES Automotive Collision Technology program hope to make their living, helping motorists repair their vehicles and return them to their like-new appearance.
“I am fulfilling my childhood dream at Capital Region BOCES,” said Schenectady High School senior Jose Peralta. “I have always wanted to get into automotive repair and this is allowing me to do just that.”
Students in the program—which is located on the Career & Technical Education Center – Albany Campus—learn everything from how to repair, restore and customize cars and trucks to how to mix specific colors and paint vehicles, detail vehicles and calculate finishing costs.
“I work in auto body already at Morris Ford and I want to get better at it and learn new skills,” said Evan Brooks, a Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake junior.
Students are drawn to the program from their passion for vehicles and/or their personal experiences.
“My father has a shop near my school, and I have spent a lot of time there. I want to improve my skills and hopefully one day take over the business,” said Christina Mills, a junior from Scotia-Glenville High School.
“I love cars and I find the work interesting and a good career opportunity,” added classmate Devin Pausaram, who attends the program from Schenectady High School.
Teacher Chris Shader, a former general manager for a chain of repair shops, said the automotive collision repair industry is in need of young workers with skills and a desire to succeed.
“This is the perfect time for young adults to enter the industry because the average age of a collision tech is 50 years old. The older, experienced technicians can be a mentor and help train the next generation of techs,” Shader said.
