12160 88 Ave, Surrey, BC V3W 3J2

Surrey Campus

Automotive Refinishing Prep and Autobody Technician Foundation


Congratulations on considering a career as a Refinishing Prep and Auto Body Technician. Canada depends on the work of skilled trade’s people – there’s always high demand for trained professionals in the Auto Body Repair Technician field. This demand is only going to increase as the Baby Boomer generation retires.

Auto Body Jobs are getting highly specialized. You can be an expert as an Auto Body Repair Technician, Auto Body Painting Prep Technician or Auto Body Refinisher. By getting into Auto Body Collision Repair Trades now you’re getting a jump-start on a great and stable career.

Auto Body Repair Technicians are rewarded for their efforts with good pay and a stable career. In fact, as an Auto Body Repair Technician you can start making money right away and “earn while you learn” as an Auto Body Apprentice (LINK: auto body apprentice). The best part though, is that as an Auto Body Collision Repair Tradesperson you get paid well for doing work you really love!

Additional Information:

  • I want to receive more information for this auto career
  • What is the typical Auto Body Salary?
  • Are there Auto Body Jobs?
  • What can I expect from an Auto Body Career?
  • What is the Auto Body Apprenticeship process?
  • What is included in ATC’s Auto Body Training Program?

Admissions Requirements:

Applicants must meet the following requirements prior to acceptance into the program.

  • The minimum entrance requirements are 19 years of age prior to the start of the study and/or graduation from Grade 12 (or equivalent).
  • Satisfy one of the following language proficiency requirements:
  • Completion of three years of full-time secondary (grades 8-12), or two years if the grades are 10, 11, 12, in English, in a country where English is one of the principal languages (Countries list can be found here: https://www.autotrainingcentre.com/automechanic-auto-body-school-surrey/english-language-requirements-for-international-students)
  • This may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a BC Adult Graduation program, or providing international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, or IQAS.
  • Completion of two years of full-time post-secondary education, in English, in a country where English is one of the principal languages ** (includes international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, IQAS.)
  • Language development courses (i.e., ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation.
  • Provide verified results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below. Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program.

Mature student applicants:

  • If the applicant is 19 years or older at the start of the program and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as described above, then:
  • Provide attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time instruction in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages, and
  • Complete an Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation Reading, Writing, WritePlacer) with these minimum scores:
  • Reading 230
  • Writing 230
  • WritePlacer 4

English language proficiency tests:

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS academic, IELTS general, IELTS academic online)
  • Overall score of 5.5 minimum
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition)
  • Overall score of 46 minimum
  • Canadian Academic English language Assessment (CAEL or CAEL Online)
  • Overall score of 40 minimum
  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP General or CELPIP Online)
  • Scores of listening 6, speaking 6, reading 5, writing 5 minimum
  • Duolingo English test (DET)
  • Overall score of 95 minimum
  • Pearson test of English (PTE) academic
  • Overall score of 43 minimum
  • Cambridge English qualifications B2 first exam (FCE)
  • Overall score of 160 or “C” minimum
  • Cambridge linguaskill
  • Overall level of B2 minimum
  • LanguageCert academic
  • Overall level of B2 minimum
  • The Michigan English test (MET)
  • Overall level of B2 minimum
  • iTep academic
  • Overall score of 3.5 minimum
  • Eiken
  • Placement of Grade Pre-1 minimum

*This program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of Ministry of Advanced Education.

Why Choose ATC?

Here are 4 reasons to choose Automotive Training Centre

Smaller classes for better learning outcomes

Flexible schedule: study while you work

Professional real world, industry experienced instructors

Intense hands-on training so you can master your skill set

Elliott Filippelli Auto Body & Refinishing Prep Technician

The past few years have been a roller coaster ride for me as I was unsure of what to do with the rest of my life. I knew that I wanted to be involved with cars in some way, and being an artist, led me to consider an art form in the Automotive Industry. I decided to become an auto body painter. Now that’s exactly what I am as I have successfully graduated from the Automotive Training Centre Auto Body & Refinishing program.

With a whole new love for employment, I have been hired by the company where I completed my Practicum – I am now working Monday to Friday at a job I very much enjoy.
I would like to extend a very special thank you to my teacher, Jason Zemaitis. Without Jason driving me to move forward or his way of teaching which was a perfect fit for me, I would not be where I am today.

Thank you ATC!

Read all testimonials

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