Auto & Collision Schools and Classes
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General Automotive Refinish Training
The PPG Business Development Center in Orlando (Orlando BDC) is the primary location that we recommend to our customers for training on paint lines and business education. Some colleges and Vo-tech schools offer training in collision repair, so there are even a few courses for autobody instructors.
Click here to see the most current schedule of upcoming classes for the Orlando BDC.
The next closest training center to Ben's customers is in Atlanta. Click here to check Atlanta's course offerings.
All totaled, there are 16 BDC's in the U.S. Certain courses are only offered at specific training centers. To see a complete list of available courses and read course descriptions, click here. Need a registration form? Download one here. Be aware however, that the process cannot be completed without a Purchase Order number from your sponsoring Ben's store. Call the manager at your nearest Ben's location to get one.
Each class has its own minimum and maximum attendance requirements. If the minimum enrollment is not met, a class may be canceled. Once the maximum is reached, any applicants for the same course may get bumped to the next available one. A confirming e-mail or fax notification will be sent to applicants once the minimum enrollment has been met. Please do not book a flight or make other non-refundable travel arrangements until your class has been confirmed. If you wish to check on your enrollment, call the Orlando BDC at 407-870-7474. The Atlanta BDC is 770-438-1816.
Need a map? Click here for directions to the Orlando BDC as well as recommended hotels with a special PPG discount rate. Click here for Atlanta. Maps are also normally sent once your class is confirmed.
PPG schools are also approved for technician certification by Ford, GM and others. Some courses qualify for I-car points. Scroll down below.
2010 MVP Green Belt Training
PPG's MVP business group has developed the Green Belt training schedule for the second half of 2010. Green Belt training is a 4-day intensive study of business principles, practices and methods of performance analysis...potentially a life-changing study for you and your business!!! You will profit more from this investment than any other you can imagine!. If you would like a more in-depth overview of the course, click here.
08-20-10. A new training session has been announced close to home! Coming to Jacksonville, FL
Nov. 8-11. Watch for details. As of today, this new session does not appear on the MVP website.
Course Fees
Click here to view the latest fee schedule for the various types of available PPG courses.
New!! PPG Online Training
Click here and register to take several free PPG online courses. If you are a shop owner, we recommend asking your techs to view all courses that they are eligible for. Some of it may be review, but it can help everyone get on the same page when trying to standardize shop procedures.
DeVilbiss Painting Manual
If you are a beginner, or a professional just wanting to know more in depth about what you already know, check out the ABC's of Spray Painting booklet from DeVilbiss. This comprehensive manual covers the entire spectrum of spray painting. Not at all limited to spray guns and their issues, it discusses air compressors, proper air filtration, air line setup and spray booths. Students can also sign up to receive this booklet online at the DeVilbiss website. Doing so also adds the benefit of potential discounts on spray equipment for both students and schools.
I-CAR
Outside of painting, I-Car is the premier educational organization for teaching collision repair techniques for body and frame, mostly in general but sometimes geared towards specific vehicle types. I-Car training is recognized as approved and certified training by most automobile manufacturers. Click here to view the I-Car website and their course offerings, which are available nationwide. Enter your zip code to find out what is near you - or - check out the selection of online courses.
You can now also get I-Car points for taking PPG courses. Click here to see a chart of qualifying courses
SEM School for Plastic Repair
The 2010 SEM school schedule is now posted on their website. Go to this page, read up on the program, then click on "Sign Up Today" at the bottom to view the annual schedule. This is the premier training program for understanding and repairing automotive plastics - well worth the trip to Rock Hill, SC. This is one of the best training deals going. A $50.00 deposit is required to reserve your spot, but after the 2-day session, it is completely refunded!! (Mobile repairers can take a 1-day session). If you book a room at their recommended hotel, they will even pay for one night's hotel expense as long as you room with another student. Otherwise you can pay their corporate room rate of $94.00. Did we mention 2 lunches and a dinner are also included? Did we mention you get I-Car points for the SEM school? This is such a great deal - plan now to go. Classes are only one per quarter so they fill up fast.