Our Story

Area 22 Training Centre – Where the Collision Industry Comes to Learn

At Area 22 Training Centre, we understand that as vehicles become more technologically advanced, the repair methods required to bring them back to life must evolve too. The old saying that it’s not rocket science may relate to other industries but in Collision repair the level of technology that our shops are dealing with is certainly equivalent from an electronic, mechanical, material structural, and complexity standpoint. Our journey began with a few simple yet powerful observations and listening to the needs of the industry: There are very few purpose-built locations for auto body training in Canada. There is a shortage of Technicians. There is a shortage of qualified instructors. There is a shortage of hands-on training. 

Training is often done in bodyshops disrupting normal operations and lacking in classroom space and multiples of the tools and equipment being trained on. Limiting the duration of hands-on experience. While the USA and Europe offer these facilities the logistics, cost and time to access these facilities are huge for Canadian shop owners.  

The shortage of technicians is being addressed to some degree by various immigration programs but depending on where these techs come from, their experience with spot welders, SPR rivet guns, pulse MIG welders and frame equipment may have been limited.  How do we quickly get these techs up to speed and licensed?  

While there are a few training centers, even fewer are staffed by highly qualified individuals with recent experience with the latest vehicles. Area 22 differs in this respect by having highly qualified and certified instructors on staff. Our Training Development Manager holds multiple OEM certifications and has 35 years of floor experience. We all know that someone's abilities have a lot to do with their education and mentorship. At Area 22, if students, trainees, and technicians are to exit our program with the skills to be valuable to our shops they must be taught by someone with experience who can impart the tricks of the trade so to speak.  

Perhaps the most significant and also the most difficult to achieve is hands-on training. In our conversations with multiple shop owners and techs, their sentiments were the same.  We are visual learners, we need to learn by doing. This is why the majority of Area 22 training is hands-on. For example, our sectioning course uses actual rails and the OEM procedures for that rail. The process is followed from start to finish.    

“The OEM way is the only way”

We are firm believers in that if the OEM procedures for a repair exist they should be followed to the letter. The engineering that goes into producing a vehicle and meeting the crash test requirements is extensive.  No one knows more about how a vehicle should be repaired than the OEM that built it.  

Our mission is clear: 

To provide certified, hands-on training that mirrors real-world conditions using OEM repair procedures. We’re committed to delivering an unprecedented level of practical education through our CCC-approved courses. Whether it’s steel, aluminum, or silicon-bronze welding; mastering the intricacies of spot welding; or honing skills in sectioning, glass installation and removal, and de-trimming – our courses are designed to mirror the challenges of actual repair work. Trainees work on genuine car parts and even whole vehicles, ensuring that every lesson is grounded in practical, real-life applications.

The heart of Area 22 lies in our core values:

  • Teamwork and Integrity: We believe that a collaborative, honest approach builds the strongest foundation for success.
  • Trust and Accountability: Our trainers, who together bring nearly 50 years of industry experience and a host of OEM and collision certifications, hold themselves to the highest standards of reliability and responsibility.
  • Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Inspired by the Kaizen philosophy, we’re committed to constant refinement—always striving to do and be better.
  • Neatness, Resourcefulness, and Assurance: Every detail matters in our quest to deliver top-tier training that you can trust.

Our facility itself is a game-changer. Modern, clean and equipped with an adaptable digital environment that can be instantly branded with your company’s identity, Area 22 is one of the most well-equipped training centers in Canada. From frame machines and spot welders to MIG welders, rivet guns, air tools, and advanced auto glass tools, our equipment is always the latest.  In addition, our climate-controlled classroom and practical area—complete with free Wi-Fi, smart sensors, and a comfortable café that seats 16—create an environment that supports both focused learning and collaborative growth.

We proudly serve a wide range of stakeholders in the collision repair industry: OEMs, body shops, technicians, insurance companies, colleges, estimators, and businesses looking for a modern meeting space. Our commitment is to elevate the entire industry by providing practical, cutting-edge training right here at home.

At Area 22 Training Centre, we’re more than just a training facility—we’re a community dedicated to empowering professionals with the skills, tools, and knowledge to excel in today’s fast-evolving automotive repair landscape. Join us and experience the future of collision repair training—where innovation meets expertise, and every detail is designed to help you succeed.