Auto Body Program

The auto body program at Lake Area Technical Institute prepares students for careers as a custom painter, technician, glass installation technician, welder, metal fabricator, or paint technician. The program focuses on applying technical knowledge and skills to repair, reconstruct, and finish automobile bodies, fenders, and external features. Program courses include: structure analysis, damage repair, non-structural analysis, mechanical and electrical components, plastics and adhesives, painting and refinishing techniques, and damage analysis and estimating. Get more details below including other South Dakota colleges that offer auto body program.

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Lake Area Technical Institute

Also known as LATI/Lake Area Tech

333 Omaha St. Suite 6 & 7, Rapid City, SD

Lake Area Technical Institute, located in Watertown, South Dakota, was founded in 1965 and was South Dakota's first technical school. The school enrolls over 1,500 students a year and has had over 16,000 graduates. LATI maintains small class sizes and cutting edge facilities. LA Technical Institute is a higher education institution that believes in offering students a solid foundation upon which they may construct their success.

Academics

LATI offers 27 programs of study, 7 of which are available through online distance learning. The programs provide students with the education necessary to immediately begin a career or to transfer to a four year institution. 98% of graduates find placement in jobs or transfer to a four year university.

Programs offered include:

• Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Cosmetology
• Nursing
• Financial Services
• Robotics
• Business Associate

Admissions and Financial Aid

Students interested in enrolling at Lake Area Technical Institute must be at least 16 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED. Students lacking a high school diploma or GED may take an examination demonstrating that they will benefit from the education offered; students enrolled in this manner must complete their GED within the year.

LATI offers a variety of financial aid options to eligible students. Eligibility for federal programs is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which must be completed and submitted.

Students Enrolled in the Auto Body Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Lake Area Technical Institute has offered the following programs for students:

• Less Than Two-Year Award
• Associate's Degree

Students by Academic Level (2019)

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

Description

Appraise automobile or other vehicle damage to determine repair costs for insurance claim settlement. Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost or cost estimates and recommendations. May seek agreement with automotive repair shop on repair costs.

Automotive Body and Related Repairers

Description

Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, automotive body and related repairers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 9.2% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Rapid City, SD
  • Total Employment: 150
  • Average Hourly Rate: $21.07
  • Average Annual Salary: $43830

Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers

Description

Replace or repair broken windshields and window glass in motor vehicles.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, automotive glass installers and repairers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 7.8% from 2014 to 2024

Painters, Transportation Equipment

Description

Operate or tend painting machines to paint surfaces of transportation equipment, such as automobiles, buses, trucks, trains, boats, and airplanes. Includes painters in auto body repair facilities.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, painters, transportation equipment employment is expected to grow at a rate of 5.9% from 2014 to 2024

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).