Aiden Eckman, an Auto Collision student at BCTC and a Boyertown senior, is already making his mark in the collision repair industry through his co-op placement at Aureus Auto Body—and it didn’t take long for his hard work to stand out. What began as a general helper position in the garage quickly turned into a promotion with real responsibility. “I am the first step for each vehicle,” Aiden shared.
In his expanded role, Aiden completes pre-repair assessments on every vehicle that comes through the shop. Using advanced diagnostic scanning tools, he detects hidden electronic damage and verifies the proper function of critical safety systems such as airbags and Driver Assistance Systems. From there, Aiden generates detailed reports used by both customers and insurance companies to confirm damage and guide the repair process. He then performs a full teardown of the vehicle before it moves to body repair or paint, carefully inspecting hidden damage or additional repairs that can only be discovered once the vehicle is disassembled. “If all the parts needed for the repair aren’t ordered, it falls back on me. It is very important to get it right,” he explained.
Aiden’s path to Auto Collision began with exploration. Initially interested in both Auto Technology and Auto Collision at BCTC, he took the time to research each program. “I saw the custom paint jobs and collision work that were available. It all seemed very cool and interesting to me,” he said. Since enrolling, Aiden has worked on several custom projects, including his own car—fueling both his creativity and technical skill set.
That dedication has paid off in a big way. Aiden has officially been offered a full-time position at Aureus Auto Body after his high school graduation, becoming the first co-op student hired by the company. “I have that set. It is a big relief to secure a job after high school,” he said proudly. Aiden credits his success with the skills, certifications, and strong work ethics he developed at BCTC.
Looking ahead, Aiden plans to continue advancing his Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) certifications, with the goal of reaching Gold Class status—demonstrating expertise in Estimator, Refinish, Structural, and Non-Structural repair to ensure complete, safe, and high-quality vehicle repairs.
For younger students considering career and technical education, Aiden’s advice is simple and enthusiastic: “It is worth it, 100% all around. You get to be creative in your own way.”