Description

A 3-day front office employee training program focusing on the foundational processes in the body repair and paint shop areas of the collision repair business utilizing hands-on exercises. The course will support estimation writing and optimization of OEM repair procedures to restore vehicles to their original crashworthiness while increasing quality standards required to restore those vehicles to an acceptable state of appearance and longevity. Understanding the repair process will promote accurate repair estimation writing and communication to insurance claims resulting in higher quality repairs. Throughout the training, attendees will be instructed on the “WHY” behind repair and refinish methods so they can engage in and retain practices that may vary from the way things have been done for “the last 30 years”

Calendar

Click here to see the Calendar of the Trainings

Training Topics

The course will cover 3M-developed best practices supported by OEM Repair documentation in the areas of:

  • Improved Estimating Accuracy
  • Insurance Communication Excellence
  • Panel Sectioning*
  • Welding Best Practices
  • Structural & Bonding Adhesives*  
  • Foams (including Noise, Vibration & Harshness)*
  • Body Filler/Glaze Best Practices*
  • Seam Sealer OEM Replication*
  • Primer/Paint Application*
  • Paint Booth Efficiencies
  • Paint Finishing Best Practices* *Hands-on
Who should attend

  • Front office personnel, including estimators or adjusters, collision shop management and owners with at least 6 months experience in the industry
  • Automotive manufacturing and paint company professionals
  • Future collision industry leaders
  • Front office professionals seeking a deeper understanding of and greater engagement in body shop processes
Included in the Course Fee

3-days of practical hands-on training with supplemental classroom discussion

  • Training manual and reference materials
  • Daily meals and snacks
  • Daily transportation between the recommended hotel and training facility
Note: Attendees responsible for expenses outside of course fee, including items such as transport to St. Paul (e.g., air, taxis), hotel, and meals outside of training hours.

Dress Code

  • Blue jeans appropriate
  • No shorts or open-toed shoes
Event capacity
16

Description
A 3-day technician training program focusing on foundational paint preparation and refinish processes which underpin the quality standards required in order to restore a collision-damaged vehicle back to an acceptable state of appearance and longevity.
3M instructors will lead attendees through the course primarily using practical “hands-on” sessions that reinforce and demonstrate key concepts, supported by occasional classroom theory and discussion. Throughout the training, attendees will be instructed in the “WHY” behind modern prep and refinish methods so that they can absorb and retain practices that may vary from the way things have been done “for the last 30 years.”

Calendar:
Click here to see the Calendar of the Trainings

Training Topics
The course will cover 3M-developed best practices in the areas of:

  • Feather, Prime, and Block
  • Surface Preparation Processes
  • Masking
  • Undercoat & Texture Selection and Application
  • Color Selection, Tinting, and application
  • Paint Booth Optimization
  • Spot Repair & Blending Techniques
  • Paint Finishing
  • Quality Control

Who should attend

  • Experienced Apprentice/Entry Level Technicians, who desire a solid understanding of the foundations of quality repair

Course Fee

  • $2,500

Included in the Course Fee

  • 3-days of Practical “Hands-On” Training with supplemental Classroom discussion
  • Training Manual and Reference Materials
  • Take-Home “Demonstration” Panels
  • Daily Meals & Snacks
  • Daily Transportation between the recommended Hotel and the Training Facility
  • I-CAR® Industry Training Alliance® Credit - Pending I-CAR Approval

Dress Code

  • Blue Jeans Appropriate
  • No Shorts or Open-Toed Shoes

Event Capacity
16

Description
A 5-Day Technician training program focusing on Foundational Body Repair Processes which underpin OEM Repair Procedures in order to restore a collision-damaged vehicle back to an acceptable state of crashworthiness.
3M Instructors will lead attendees through the course primarily using practical “hands-on” sessions that reinforce and demonstrate key concepts, supported by occasional classroom theory and discussion. Throughout the training, attendees will be instructed in the “WHY” behind modern repair methods and techniques so that they can absorb and retain practices that may vary from the way things have been done “for the last 30 years.”

Calendar:
Click here to see the Calendar of the Trainings

Training Topics
The course will cover 3M-developed best practices supported by OEM Repair documentation in the areas of:

  • Body Repair Tools and Application Techniques
  • Panel Removal & Replacement
  • Corrosion Protection Techniques
  • Aluminum Substrate Repair
  • Dent Repair Methodology

Who should attend

  • Established Journeyman Technicians, who are well-respected Leaders within their organizations
  • Experienced Apprentice/Entry Level Technicians, who desire a solid understanding of the foundations of quality repair

Course Fee

  • $4,750

Included in the Course Fee

  • 5-Days of Practical “Hands-On” Training with supplemental Classroom discussion
  • Training Manual and Reference Materials
  • Take-Home “Demonstration” Panels
  • Daily Meals & Snacks
  • Daily Transportation between the recommended Hotel and the Training Facility
  • I-CAR® Industry Training Alliance® Credit

Dress Code

  • Blue Jeans Appropriate
  • No Shorts or Open-Toed Shoes

Event Capacity
16

Description
A 3-Day Technician training program focusing on Foundational Body Repair Processes which underpin OEM Repair Procedures in order to restore a collision-damaged vehicle back to an acceptable state of crashworthiness.
3M Instructors will lead attendees through the course primarily using practical “hands-on” sessions that reinforce and demonstrate key concepts, supported by occasional classroom theory and discussion. Throughout the training, attendees will be instructed in the “WHY” behind modern repair methods and techniques so that they can absorb and retain practices that may vary from the way things have been done “for the last 30 years.”

Calendar
Click here to see the Calendar of the Trainings

Training Topics

The course will cover 3M-developed best practices supported by OEM Repair documentation in the areas of:

  • Body Repair Tools and Application Techniques
  • Panel Removal & Replacement
  • Corrosion Protection Techniques
  • Aluminum Substrate Repair
  • Dent Repair Methodology

Who should attend

  • Established Journeyman Technicians, who are well-respected Leaders within their organizations
  • Experienced Apprentice/Entry Level Technicians, who desire a solid understanding of the foundations of quality repair

Course Fee

  • $2,500

Included in the Course Fee

  • 3-Days of Practical “Hands-On” Training with supplemental Classroom discussion
  • Training Manual and Reference Materials
  • Take-Home “Demonstration” Panels
  • Daily Meals & Snacks
  • Daily Transportation between the recommended Hotel and the Training Facility
  • I-CAR® Industry Training Alliance® Credit

Dress Code

  • Blue Jeans Appropriate
  • No Shorts or Open-Toed Shoes

Event Capacity
24

instructor teaching student proper paint finishing application

Develop the skill to stay ahead

Attract, develop, and help retain a new generation of technicians.

Explore In Person Training

Education is an investment that pays immediate benefits like technicians advancing their craft, completing more cost-effective repairs, and increasing employee satisfaction—all while improving your bottom line. It’s a return on investment you can’t afford to miss. 3M is committed to providing the tools you need to invest in your team and help shape the future of the industry. The choice is yours—our doors are open.


  • (SPEECH) [MUSIC PLAYING] (DESCRIPTION) Logo: 3M, Science. Applied to Life. Text: Welcome to the 3M Skills Development Center, where our experts deliver more in-person training to more people. In a classroom, rows of tables and chairs face toward whiteboards. Text: With room for 100 learners in classrooms and a focus on process-based training throughout the repair procedure, including flexible space for hands-on learning for 24 technicians, and state-of-the-art industry welding equipment to increase skills in real world situations, as well as an extra-large booth for 16 painters, we can deliver customized training that meets your team's needs. Logo: 3M Skills Development Center. Logo: 3M. Science. Applied to Life.

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    Introducing: The 3M™ Skills Development Center

    Our state-of-the-art training facility allows our industry experts to deliver more hands-on training to more people. We are dedicated to teaching body shop staff the most updated processes from real-world experts, OEMs, and accredited partners.

    955 Wells St, Suite 300, St Paul, MN 55106
    See in Map: 3M Skills Development Center - Google Maps


Explore Top Courses

Within each of the courses featured, 3M instructors will lead attendees through the course primarily using practical “hands-on” sessions that reinforce and demonstrate key concepts, supported by occasional classroom theory and discussion.

All training courses take place at the 3M Skills Development Center - Google Maps

Body Repair Course Overview (PDF, 235 KB)

Paint Prep and Refinish Course Overview (PDF, 1.64 MB)

Front Office Training Course Overview (PDF, 434 KB)

  • Community In Person Event

    Register now for this 3-day Journeyman Technician training program focusing on foundational body repair processes which underpin OEM repair procedures.

    Cost: $2500.00

    Discover More

    Register

  • Community In Person Event

    Register now for this 3-day front office employee training program focused on the foundational processes in the body repair and paint shop areas, which will promote accurate estimate writing and insurance communication, resulting in higher quality repairs.

    Cost: $2500.00

    Discover More

    Register

  • Community In Person Event

    Register for this 3-day training program focusing on foundational paint preparation and refinish processes.

    Cost: $2500.00

    Discover More

    Register

  • Community In Person Event

    Register for this 5-day training program focusing on foundational body repair and refinish processes which are critical to returning a collision damaged vehicle to service.

    Cost: $4750.00

    Discover More

    Register

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Advance your I-CAR training

  • I-CAR® Industry Training Alliance™ logo

    When you complete courses offered by 3M, you can also earn credits toward knowledge areas and training requirements for the I-CAR Gold Class® Professionals and Platinum® Individual designation programs. I-CAR sets the industry standards for collision repair training and implementation. With our education modules, you’ll learn new skills while moving forward in your I-CAR accreditation – a win-win.

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    Unable to join for in-person training?

    We also have online, on-demand virtual courses, webinars, white papers, articles, and videos focused on fulfilling the learning needs of individual technicians. Our library also includes 20+ SOP-focused modules and 6 multi-module learning tracks. Sign in or register and explore today.

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