vcc.ca
ACAP 3002: Auto Body and Collision Technician Apprentice Level 3
Effective date
January 2026
Department
Auto Collision Apprenticeship
School
Trades, Technology and Design
Description
This course provides the Level 3 technical training component of the provincial Auto Body and Collision Technician apprentice program. In this course students learn to prepare for structural repairs including structural measuring and component removal. Advanced welding is a focus including squeeze-type resistance spot welding (STRSW), bronze welding, and multi-position steel structural welding. Students receive hands-on training for repair, replacement, and sectioning procedures for welded-on, weld-bonded and rivet-bonded body panels. Mechanical components such as; heating, cooling, climate control, powertrain, exhaust, fuel systems and the deactivation/reactivation of alternate fuel systems are also addressed. Additionally, basic electrical component diagnosis and repair, supplemental restrain systems, pre/post-scanning, damage estimating, and final inspections are explored.
Delivery Format:
• On-Campus Component: 6 weeks (180 hours) of full-time, hands-on training.
Assessment and Certification:
• Students must achieve a minimum final grade of 70% at VCC to be eligible for the SkilledTradesBC Standardized Level Exam (SLE).
• The final VCC grade for this course is blended with the SkilledTradesBC SLE grade at 80% - 20% to determine an overall SkilledTradesBC final grade.
• A blended grade of 70% or higher qualifies students to:
- Receive SkilledTradesBC Technical Training credit for Auto Body and Collision Technician Level 3
- Advance to Auto Body and Collision Technician Level 4
Credits
8.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
Students must be registered apprentices with SkilledTradesBC and have a valid SkilledTradesBC ID number AND ACAP 2002 Auto Body and Collision Technician Apprentice Level 2 OR ACAP 2003 Auto Body and Collision Technician Apprentice Level 2 (E-pprentice) OR ACAP 2001 Automotive Collision Repair Technician Level 2 (pre-April 2021); Students transitioning from the pre-April 2021 MVBR program are subject to a co-requisite for this course.
Corequisites
Students transitioning from the pre-April 2021 MVBR program (Automotive Collision Repair Technician Level 2) must successfully complete a 36-hour gap-training module as a co-requisite for this course, which may include online self-study material and additional face-to-face instruction.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Maintain frame and unibody repair and measuring equipment (B8).
- Identify, diagnose and clear fault codes, calibrate systems, and confirm repairs using scan tools (B9).
- Perform various GMAW, STRSW and Silicone Bronze welds to industry standard visual and destructive testing criterion (C2).
- Create repair estimate and supplements with accuracy using industry software (D6).
- Perform and document various pre and post repair vehicle inspections (N1).
- Identify types and patterns of structural and non-structural damage (P1).
- Remove components in preparation for structural repairs (P2).
- Perform anchoring process for a unibody vehicle in preparation for structural pulling (P3).
- Describe structural repair considerations, equipment, realignment and stress relieving procedures (Q1).
- Perform structural panel removal procedure according to Perform structural panel removal procedures according to vehicle manufacturers' recommendations and industry standards (Q2).
- Perform welded-on structural panel sectioning procedure according to vehicle manufacturers' recommendations and industry standards (Q3).
- Describe alternate fuel system deactivation and reactivation according to vehicle manufacturers' recommendations and government safety regulations (T1-T2).
- Identify fundamentals of heating and cooling system and components (U1).
- Identify safe handling procedures of air conditioning system components (U1).
- Identify fundamentals of powertrain systems and components (U2).
- Describe removal and installation of mechanical components (U4-U5).
- Identify fundamentals of electrical systems and components (V1).
- Describe removal and installation of electrical components (V2, V4).
- Repair damaged wires and protective coverings and service low-voltage battery (V3).
- Describe electronic components, locations and considerations (V5).
- Describe servicing seat belt restraint systems (X1).
- Describe servicing air bags and related components according to vehicle manufacturers' recommendations and industry safety standards (X2).
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 120
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 60
Total Hours: 180
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 60
Total Hours: 180
Instructional Strategies
This course provides a wide range of opportunities for student learning in classroom and shop settings. In addition to hands-on practical experience at VCC’s own state of the art automotive collision repair and refinishing facility learning activities such as lectures, demonstrations, individual and group project based learning strategies may be used throughout the course. Students may access learning materials and course evaluations using VCC's online course management system.
Attendance and Participation
Given the industrial nature of this course professional and safe work practice is of critical importance. A student may be withdrawn from the course for safety concerns and/or an inability to meet professional practice standards due to inadequate attendance.
Excused absences are those reported in advance of a scheduled class, wherever possible, or if appropriate documentation can be provided for the time missed. Other absences will be reported as unexcused, and an excess of unexcused absences may result in a student being withdrawn from the course.
Attendance and Participation
Given the industrial nature of this course professional and safe work practice is of critical importance. A student may be withdrawn from the course for safety concerns and/or an inability to meet professional practice standards due to inadequate attendance.
Excused absences are those reported in advance of a scheduled class, wherever possible, or if appropriate documentation can be provided for the time missed. Other absences will be reported as unexcused, and an excess of unexcused absences may result in a student being withdrawn from the course.
Grading System
Percentages-STBC
Passing grade
70%
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Exam |
50 |
Multiple summative theory exams based on each section and weighting requirements as per SkilledTradesBC Assessment Guidelines. |
|
Assignments |
50 |
Multiple in-shop practical evaluation assignments as per SkilledTradesBC Assessment Guidelines. |
Course topics
- Measuring Equipment, Use and Calibration
- Pre and Post-Scanning
- Advanced Welding: - Aluminum GMA (MIG) Welding - MIG Brazing - Squeeze-Type Resistance Spot Welding (STRSW) - Structural Steel Welding
- Damage Analysis and Estimating Writing
- Pre-Delivery Inspections and Quality Assurance
- Structural Repair Preparations: - Structural Damage Analysis - Characteristics of Structural Metals - Anchoring for Structural Pulling (Unibody)
- Welded-On Panel Repair and Replacement - Structural Sectioning - Weld-Bonding - Rivet-Bonding
- Mechanical Components: - Heating, Cooling, and Air Conditioning Systems - Powertrain Components, Exhaust and Fuel Systems
- Electrical Components: - Basic Electricity and Component Testing - Simple Circuit Diagnosis - Introduction to Advanced Vehicle Systems
- Supplemental Restraint Systems: - Seat Belt Restraints - Air Bags and Systems
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.