Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of the study was to identify the entry level skills and knowledge required in the automotive collision repair industry in California, with implications for curriculum development and management. Specifically, the study was designed to provide data to determine: (1) What are the skills and knowledge necessary for entry level employment in the automotive collision repair industry in California? (2) How do the entry level skills and knowledge considered important to the collision repair industry differ from the opinions of community college instructors regarding their automotive collision repair programs. Research Methodology. The methodology used for this study was descriptive research. The instrument used to gather data was the mailed questionnaire. The population for this study was comprised of two groups within the state of California. The first group contained 5,922 automotive collision businesses. The second group contained 38 community college automotive collision repair programs. A total of 72 percent usable questionnaires were returned and used as a basis for data analysis. Findings. The skills and knowledge necessary for entry level employment in the automotive collision repair industry in California were identified by analyzing the frequency responses of the automotive collision repair businesses. The opinions of community college instructors were compared to the responses of the automotive collision repair businesses. The instructors indicated a high level of agreement on a total of 48 entry level skills and knowledge. The instructors indicated a strong level of disagreement regarding a total of 23 entry level skills and knowledge. Implications. There is a need for closer communication between automotive collision repair businesses who hire entry level repair employees and community college instructors who train them. The utilization of the results of this study would increase communication between community college instructors and collision repair businesses. The data generated in this study can be used for curriculum development and assist in efficient and effective program management.