Kortney Thumme worked as an auto body technician for 8 years and a teacher for another 5 years in Saginaw, MI, before bringing his skills to the LISD TECH Center. His students have excelled at the SkillsUSA State Conference, bringing back gold medals and advancing to nationals in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015. Mr. Thumme is a Universal Technical Institute graduate and is ASE, ICAR, PPG, and BASF certified.
Automotive Collision Repair & Refinish
With over 250 million cars on the road, many of them lasting longer than ever before, there will be a constant need for Collision Repair due to accidents and aging. Jobs in the Automotive Collision Repair & Refinish industry are expected to grow at a better-than-average rate over the next 5-10 years. Job seekers with industry certification and formal training in this program will have an advantage over competing applicants for jobs.
Program Description
First-year students in this program will learn the basics of repairing and refinishing collision damaged vehicles. First-year students will learn metal finishing, plastic repair, MIG Welding, filler application, and basic refinishing procedures.
Second-year students will focus on a much more in-depth side of the collision industry. Students will learn structural and frame repair, 3D measuring, waterborne paint technology, estimating, and advanced refinishing techniques.
Students from the LISD TECH Center Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing program compete in the SkillsUSA competition yearly. Historically, students have done very well in the competition qualifying for state and national leadership events.
To Be Successful
Many students in this program usually have an artistic side, a strong attention to detail, and a love of cars. Students need basic math and reading skills, self-discipline, a good work ethic, the ability to work in a team, think critically and a dedication to completing assigned tasks.
Textbook reading level: College level
Student Organization
SkillsUSA
Instructor
Teacher Assistant
Tim Burch brings over 30 years of experience as an auto body technician to the Automotive Collision Repair & Refinish program. A graduate of Addison Community Schools, Tim got his start in the industry as a student in the Automotive Collision program at the TECH Center. His experience includes working with customers to determine their needs for repairs on their vehicles, thoroughly checking automobiles for defects and malfunctions, as well as rebuilding bodies of both diesel and petrol fueled cars. Tim is excited to share his knowledge with students to help them learn the automobile collision industry. In his spare time, Tim enjoys going to auctions and spending time with his family.