How to Run an Auto Shop Lab

Auto shop labs are a key part of passing on the education in automotive repair and body work. Most lab classes consist of hands-on training with supplements of class lectures with the aid of textbooks. Auto shop labs provide students with a quality education so that the student is ready to enter the job market upon completion of the classes.

1. Familiarize students with the auto shop lab safety rules and proper safety procedures for handling tools trough an initial orientation class. Require the proper safety materials including that all people in the lab wear safety glasses and protective shoes with long pants included.


2. Designate a place for every tool and all the equipment so that they are easy to find and so that there is space enough to safely use all of the equipment. 


3. Create daily lesson plans that focus on one part of car repair or body damage at a time. Do not overload the curriculum so that the students have time to soak in an understand all of the material that is given. Before allowing students to practice new techniques, provide them with a lecture and demonstration while giving them the requirements that are expected to be met.


4. Give each student a chance to practice what they have learned with hands on practice of the subject covered. Monitor each student carefully so that any mistake is able to be explained and corrected by the student.


5. Advertise the auto shop lab in the local community to promote enrollment growth and so that the community is willing to give cars so that the students are able to practice on them. Establish a schedule each week of the cars that need to be repaired and assign duties to each student so that no time is wasted.


6. Obtain permission slips and waivers of liability from the vehicle owners which state that the class will be performing the work and that the auto body shop is not liable for any damages


7. Clean the auto shop daily and evaluate each student’s performance on a regular basis.  Include test and quizzes to ensure that the material is being retained. 


8. Ask the vehicle owners to evaluate the class operations so that the auto body shop can make improvements to lab operations as it grows and builds clientele.