Hi my name is Jeff and im 22yrs of age...I had plans on moving to Sacramento CA for a year to enroll into Wyotech for Collision and Restoration...But I had to put that to a stand still...reason being is I have a baby girl on the way...and financially it made sense...Although I still want to learn the trade of auto body work unfortunately there aren't any schools within IL that provide that sort of program...So with that being said if anyone is willing to provide internship it would be highly appreciated...I'm very dedicated , loyal , and hard working...

 

Where in il are you

 

Richton Park Il

 

You try looking on craigslist ? The lexus dealership im working for will expand currently it's just me and a helper but in a few years they are expanding to a full tilt collision shop. On this is its probably 2 hours from you

 

I haven't checked Craigslist but I will do...and I really want to learn the trade but two hrs is a drive just to intern...although I would love the opportunity the drive is just too much for me...but I'll keep in touch just in case something change...I really appreciate you taking the time out to read and respond to my post...

 

Yeah just search on craigs list under body shop, auto body, autobody, get creative because sometimes the peple who post them catagorize it under weird stuff sop just do a search under job for auto body etc.

 

Could you have swung going to the one in Blairsville PA? Little closer than Sacramento.

I have a young friend who took their streetrod program. Kris is a talented guy but around here people aren't turning loose of much money on old cars so he went to work in the local Goodyear plant. Hey, I realise even skinny boys gotta eat.

I'm bound to think there's a good tech school somewhere in IL and one who could get you some financial aid. Plenty of college kids have gotten aid for useless degrees. You should be able to work out something for a skilled trades education.

 

There is kishwaukee college , triton also now offers collisionr epair that's in melrose park il. Then there is another colleger in champaign il. that offers auto body i think it's called parkville college or something like that.

 

Yes I considered going there and also learned that they are the original school for the Hot Rod program...they also provide commute... but I decided to go to Sacramento location cause I preferred the better weather...But with the baby on the way I rather stay in Il to be around the family...

 

Ok thanks I appreciate all the help and resourceful info...I checked and one of the schools is actually only 59mins away from me...but I'm gonna look into it a bit more..

 

Why not try and knock on a few body shop doors and ask if they are willing to train. I guarantee, you can get on with a body shop if you just go there in person and show some enthusiasm.

 

You're better to go to a body shop and start sweeping floors. I know a couple owners and they both say that they don't like to hire kids out of tech school because they have to re-train them. The class room will teach you the textbook way, but the school of hard knocks will teach you a better way.

 

Wyotech took $50k from the grandson of a woman I work with and taught him to weld.

Start knocking on the doors at local body shops if you don't want to relocate

 

I work as a tech in a honda dealership and there are a few kids (the oil changers) good kids that went to these big dollar schools and they dont know s#$t! Ide start knockin on doors as well!

 

Oldcutlass , nofiveo , allyolds68 , Stevec ...thanks guys I appreciate you all for your suggestions...I think that's what I'm gonna do...

 

That is the way i learned i started in a votech program through high school Then i found a shop competly by accident. The first thing the who tought me told me was. FORGET EVERYTHING YOU WHERE TAUGHT. That $hit wont help you here. You can usually start out as a prepper work you way up to buffing then painting of that is what you wanna do. Or you start dping teardowns and mechanical work then light body work then heavy hits. Starting up from the bottom you will be moved around .

 

Yea that sounds like the best move...

 

I just want to be in a shop...

 

If you find a shop that is hiring a prepper they will usually train you as most painter have their own little quirks they will want you to do things a certain way.

 

In my area community colleges have automotive programs setup to get ASC certified. They often offer alternate paths within the trade such as welding.

When door knocking, having certification is not a bad thing. Employers look for hires that are serious and have made an effort to get into the trade. This would be someone committed and should the dealer or shop make a training investment, chances are they'll work out long-term.

I don't know if body work or collision is offered but may be worth looking into. I do know community college is a much cheaper path compared to those accelerated tech. schools. They also offer night classes and low interest student loan services.