A new workforce study suggests students and recent graduates increasingly view collision repair as a stable, technology-driven career with strong earning potential compared to traditional four-year degree paths.
The Future of Collision Repair Workforce Study found 95% of respondents believe collision repair offers more stability than jobs requiring a university degree. The research surveyed 475 high school and post-secondary students, technical and vocational learners and recent graduates considering careers in the industry.
According to the findings, 74% of respondents believe collision repair careers offer higher earning potential than traditional college-degree jobs. About 31% cited work-life balance and task variety as factors influencing their interest.
Access to advanced technology emerged as a major driver of engagement. The study found 95% of respondents would be more interested in collision repair if they knew they would regularly use advanced software and artificial intelligence tools. Meanwhile, 81% said they want hands-on work and 82% expressed interest in using technology as part of their careers.
Misconceptions persist, however. Nearly 69% of respondents believed collision repair work relies mostly on manual tools. Concerns about physical demands were cited by 30% of participants, while 29% pointed to social stigma associated with skilled trades.
“To build a strong future for the collision repair industry, we need to understand how the next generation views our field,” said Andreas Hecht, senior vice president and head of OEM partnerships for CCC Intelligent Solutions and a member of the Collision Repair Education Foundation board of trustees.
