Where should the Collision Repair/Autobody career path begin?

Here is an argument for learning Color Match first:

• Young Technicians and even detailers must be able to recognize color as the last line of defense before the customer judges the work.
• Color is an exciting part of the industry and provides a “colorful” outlook into the future for entry level employees and potential recruits.
• Understanding color and mixing paint is a skill that can add productivity and understanding of shop quality, productivity, and profitability right out of the gate.

Nicholas LaCorte from DCR Systems recently attended the 4-day MTI Color-Matching bootcamp.

“I learned a lot of techniques and applications, so it has been pretty cool,” DCR Systems tech Nicholas LaCorte said. “It was helpful as I went through solid and metallic colors all the way through tri coats.”

DCR Systems is a partner in education and sponsor at the Matrix Trade Institute and sends their employees for further training by utilizing Matrix’s Upskill and Efficiency bootcamps. President and CEO of DCR Systems, Michael Giarrizzo, believes in growing young technicians.

“Matrix is teaching students the baseline skills needed in a repeatable, process-owned environment,” says Giarrizzo. “We’re proud to partner with an organization that is looking for our feedback to grow the technicians of tomorrow.”

DCR Systems currently operates accident repair centers in four states and is ever-expanding their locations. 

"Our team members come back excited to be back in the shop and to be able to apply the new things they learned," DCR Sytems Director of Operations Dave Martin said.

“DCR has been great to me all the way through,” LaCorte explained. “Going to the MTI bootcamp was a huge blessing.”

About the Matrix Trade Institute:

The Matrix Trade Institute, based in Beachwood, Ohio, is and OSBCC approved career college and specialized school for Automotive Mechanics and Collision Repair Technicians. MTI’s accelerated 20-week, 80% hands-on approach and efficiency training model is designed to create productive entry-level mechanics and technicians who have the skills that employer demand. MTI’s blend of modern technology, hands-on training and operation repetitions ensure confidence and efficiencies that are critical to success and growth with employers.

MTI also serves industry employers with its innovative Upskill Efficiency Bootcamps that provide existing mechanics, technicians and service advisors with next level training to build and improve production-based skills and efficiency techniques to become more productive and to grow. MTI’s Efficiency Bootcamps are paid for by employers who want to provide a faster, more complete career path. This effective training and retention model gives employers that want to revitalizing current techs, retain their services and help them grow into highly productive mechanics, collisions technicians and service advisors for the mutual benefit of the employee and the organization that benefits from their loyalty and increased production.