In early December, a group of Canadian collision repair professionals—including five technicians, two vocational tech instructors, and Collision Repair magazine’s own team member—traveled to St. Paul, Minnesota, for a transformative three-day experience at the 3M Skills Development Center (SDC). More than just a training session, this immersive program offered a glimpse into the philosophy and cutting-edge methods driving the future of collision repair.
The 3M Skills Development Center, which opened in October 2023, represents a milestone in technician education. Designed to address the collision repair industry’s growing demand for highly trained professionals, the 15,000-square-foot facility is equipped to provide hands-on, practical learning. Approximately 70 percent of the center is dedicated to workshops, with areas like a 35-foot GFS XL paint booth and a welding section outfitted with advanced fume extraction systems. The remaining space is for classroom sessions, blending theory with practice. The facility’s philosophy centers on equipping technicians with not just the “how” but the “why” behind modern repair techniques.
From the outset, the training’s agenda reflected this philosophy. Participants dove into foundational body repair processes, each designed to ensure crashworthiness while also adhering to OEM standards. Day one focused on the essentials: body repair tools and their proper usage. The instructors, seasoned experts with decades of experience, introduced products like the 3M™ Heavy-Bodied Seam Sealer, highlighting its ability to replicate OEM finishes and provide lasting corrosion protection.
The program’s hands-on approach was paired with discussions on the science of collision repair. Instructors emphasized the importance of moving beyond the “way it’s always been done” mindset. As one trainer put it, “every step we teach is grounded in restoring a vehicle to perform as designed— not just look repaired.”
Approximately 70 percent of the centER is dedicated to workshops, with areas like a 35- foot GFS XL paint booth and a welding section outfitted with advanced fume extraction systems.
Day two expanded into advanced techniques like aluminum substrate repair and dent methodology, using cutting-edge tools such as the Pro Spot i5s Smart Spot Welding System. This system’s adaptive technology, which adjusts to material properties in realtime, perfectly illustrated the modern collision repair philosophy: precision, adaptability, and a focus on safety.
The history of the center itself reinforced the importance of continuous education. The 3M SDC was conceived in response to a looming industry challenge: the significant shortage of trained collision repair technicians. Industry studies project a shortfall of over 100,000 professionals by 2026, creating an urgent need for programs like this one. By offering hands-on courses tied directly to OEM repair documentation, the 3M Skills Development Center aims to close this gap and ensure vehicles are repaired to the highest safety and quality standards.
Beyond the technical sessions, participants enjoyed opportunities to connect and recharge. A visit to the 3M Innovation Center provided a behind-the-scenes look at the company’s groundbreaking research and development. Later, an NHL game between the Minnesota Wild and the Vancouver Canucks brought some levity to the week, offering a chance to bond over a shared love of hockey and trade shop stories.
Ultimately, the 3M Skills Development Center is more than a training hub. It is a response to the challenges of a rapidly changing industry.
The final day brought everything together with corrosion protection techniques. Seam sealing, a seemingly simple process, took on new significance as participants practiced achieving factory-quality finishes that safeguard vehicles from the elements. This attention to detail wasn’t just about aesthetics—it was about creating repairs that last, ensuring the safety and satisfaction of every driver. For Collision Repair magazine, participating in the program underscored the industry’s urgent need to prioritize training. The SDC’s philosophy—rooted in collaboration, precision, and lifelong learning— sets a standard that the entire industry can aspire to.
Ultimately, the 3M Skills Development Center is more than a training hub. It is a response to the challenges of a rapidly changing industry, a commitment to equipping technicians with the skills they need and a testament to the importance of doing repairs the right way. For the attendees, the experience wasn’t just educational—it was transformative, instilling a renewed sense of purpose and pride in their craft.
Q&A WITH BENJAMIN GERVAIS
SENIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, 3M AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET
Collision Repair magazine sat down with Benjamin Gervais, a senior business development manager with 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division, to learn more about the courses the 3M Skills Development Center offers and how Canadians can take advantage.
Collision Repair magazine: Why is a facility like the 3M Skills Development Center needed right now?
Benjamin Gervais: Firstly, there’s a technician shortage and it’s becoming more pronounced. The need for productive technicians is extremely important in the current market. Second, vehicles are becoming increasingly complex, with ADAS, aluminum considerations, EVs and so on. If bodyshops can’t understand how to properly consider all of the proper information for a quality, correct repair, that can have a great impact on their business.
It’s a vital decision to position oneself as a collision center that regularly improves and upgrades. We have received positive feedback about these courses for their effectiveness in addressing these challenges.
CR: Can you explain the courses offered through the 3M Skills Development Center?
BG: Certainly. We offer three courses from our 3M Skills Development Center: Body Repair; Paint, Prep & Refinish, and our new Front Office class.
Our body repair class takes students through the entire repair process. We go through everything from panel sectioning and replacement; rivet bonding; welding; the proper application of fillers, glazes, foams and seam sealers. We cover topics like OEM recommendations and OEM replication, repair planning and corrosion protection considerations.
Our Paint, Prep & Refinish course features a significant amount of time spraying various coatings. Most students are preppers, painters, detailers or buffers that have the desire to transition into a more active painter role. It’s about honing the necessary skills in a low-risk environment and getting a ton of trigger time.
These two courses come with I-CAR credits, too.
Our new front office course is an interesting one because so many refer to it as an estimator course—which automatically brings the image of students sitting in a classroom, working on computers, to mind. Instead, we engage front office employees, including estimators, adjusters, and shop managers, in hands-on activities, which allows them to better engage with shop floor colleagues. They can write more accurate estimates; improve engagement with insurance companies and gain skills in the areas we believe will ultimately help administer higher quality repairs.
I would like to point out that all of our courses are very focused on the handson aspect. Approximately 80 percent of time is spent doing hands-on activities. We try to keep students out of the classroom environment and instead in an environment where they can complete hands-on, tactile activities.
Our training is process-focused. These are not courses about products where we preach the use of the latest and greatest 3M products. They are focused on the industry processes required to repair a modern vehicle back to pre-accident condition, with stress on OEM recommendations.
CR: Who are these courses designed for?
BG: The courses offered through the 3M Skills Development Center are not for somebody with no industry experience looking to use this as a shortcut in the field. We’re helping to accelerate the learnings of professionals in the field.
CR: How can Canadians take advantage of these courses?
BG: Each course runs approximately once per month. Everyone is invited, and we have a few different ways to attend. Whether it’s distributors sponsoring their shop customers; vocational instructors looking to upskill; independent collision centers and so on. Everyone has equal access to 3M Skills Development Center training.
There’s no barrier to access our courses—if a technician wanted to today, they can just go on our website with our calendar and sign up for one of the classes.
Contact a 3M representative today for the 3M Skills Development Center course schedule.
