Beyond the dent. Inside the thinking behind a repair.

A dent is easy to notice. Understanding the repair is a different kind of challenge. For someone who likes cars, practical work and figuring things out, that challenge can be the interesting part.

Look beyond the visible damage

Ontario’s Auto Body and Collision Damage Repairer trade, known as 310B, covers more than body panels. Skilled Trades Ontario describes work involving structures, electrical and mechanical components, plastics and sheet metal.

Build the habit of asking questions

Damage analysis, estimating and alignment appear in the trade’s in-school training. A useful starting question for a mentor is: “What do you check before deciding how this should be repaired?”

You don’t need to arrive with every answer. Being willing to observe, ask and learn is a good place to begin exploring a trade.

Your next step

Read the official 310B trade profile, then write down three aspects of the work you would like to understand better.

Independent educational content. No Skilled Trades Ontario endorsement is implied. Information checked September 10, 2026.