When most people think about auto repair, they still picture grease-covered mechanics turning wrenches in a noisy garage. But today’s transportation industry? It’s a completely different world.

Modern vehicles are equipped with cutting-edge technology, including cameras, sensors, advanced driver-assistance systems, onboard computers, and sophisticated safety features that rival the technology found in a smartphone. Repairing today’s vehicles takes more than mechanical know-how. It requires precision, technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and hands-on experience with the latest industry equipment.

That’s exactly what students get at Fayetteville Technical Community College through its Transportation Technology programs.

Whether students are passionate about restoring damaged vehicles back to showroom condition or diagnosing complex automotive systems, FTCC offers two exciting career pathways designed to get graduates workforce-ready fast: Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology and Automotive Systems Technology.

And these aren’t “sit and listen” programs. At FTCC, students learn by doing.

Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology: Where Craftsmanship Meets Technology

FTCC’s Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology program, also known as Collision U, blends artistry, engineering, and high-tech training into one fast-paced career field.

Students learn how to repair vehicles back to pre-accident conditions by replacing and repairing panels, refinishing surfaces to industry standards, and working around the sophisticated technology built into modern vehicles. From precision paint matching to structural repairs and sensor awareness, students train using real-world techniques employers are looking for right now.

FTCC’s Collision U program has even become the national model for Caliber Collision repair training, a major distinction that highlights the college’s leadership in workforce development and industry partnerships.

 Graduates of the Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology program earn multiple Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair certifications and are qualified for entry-level employment in:

• Automotive dealerships

• Independent repair shops

• Or through self-employment as collision repair and refinishing technicians

Students can also choose a training path that fits their goals and schedules. They can earn a certificate in Basic Collision Repair & Technology in as little as one semester or continue all the way through a five-semester associate degree in Collision Repair & Technology.

The program is also designed to meet education requirements tied to I-CAR and PPG Industries certifications for the collision industry. And FTCC doesn’t stop at just training. Its faculty advisors actively help students connect with employers, while repair shops and insurance companies regularly contact the program looking for skilled graduates.

Automotive Systems Technology: Training the Next Generation of Automotive Technicians

For students who love diagnostics, engines, electrical systems, and solving complex problems, FTCC’s Automotive Systems Technology program delivers hands-on experience with the systems that keep today’s vehicles running safely and efficiently.

Students train in areas including:

• Brakes

• Steering and suspension

• Engines

• Electrical systems

• Heating and air conditioning

• Drivetrain systems

The program is accredited by the ASE Education Foundation and prepares students for ASE certifications recognized nationwide.

FTCC students can also earn factory training certifications through Ford Motor Company in specialized areas, including:

• Basic and Advanced Electrical

• Brakes

• Steering and Suspension

• Climate Control

Adding even more value, FTCC instructors bring top-tier master certifications from ASE, Ford, and General Motors directly into the classroom, helping students gain real-world insight while working with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment used throughout the automotive industry today.

Big Demand, Strong Salaries

The transportation industry isn’t just high-tech; it’s also filled with opportunity.

According to the latest published wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, average annual pay in North Carolina is approximately $49,260 for automotive service technicians and $53,810 for automotive body repairers.

Nationally, salary ranges stretch even higher, with top earners making between $80,000 and $87,000 or more depending on experience, certifications and location.

Collision repair technicians, in particular, can see substantial earning potential over time. A late-2023 technician survey led by the Society of Collision Repair Specialists in partnership with Ducker Carlisle and I-CAR found that technicians with 6–9 years of experience reported average earnings of around $72,000 annually, while 37% of technicians with 10 or more years of experience reported earning more than $100,000.

For more information about the Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology program, contact Doug Irish at irishd@faytechcc.edu or 910-486-3995.

For more information about the Automotive Systems Technology program, contact Brian Oldham at oldhamb@faytechcc.edu or 910-678-8260.