Press Release

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL (March 27, 2018)  – Registration for the 17th Annual Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) Golf Fundraiser, co-hosted by the automotive refinish business unit of PPG, and the LORD Fusor sponsored Helicopter Golf Ball Drop are now open.

Organizers anticipate the Golf Fundraiser selling out during the spring, so early registration is encouraged. The event supports the Education Foundation in its mission to provide support for collision repair programs at high school and colleges across North America.

The fundraiser will be held Monday, August 6, 2018. Golfers will enjoy a round of golf at Trophy Club of Apalachee. Located just north of Atlanta in Dacula, Georgia, along the riverbanks of the Apalachee, Trophy Club of Apalachee was named “Top 100 Places to Play” by Golf Digest and with new Champion Bermuda greens, is an exceptional setting for a round of unforgettable golf.

The event will be held in conjunction with NACE & Automechanika events taking place that week in Atlanta.

“PPG invites the industry to join us in Atlanta this August to help raise additional funds, support, and awareness for high school and college collision school programs through this great event,” said Domenic Brusco, PPG, Senior Manager, Industry Relations. “Through the event’s sponsors, players, and volunteers we are able to not only have an enjoyable afternoon of golf and networking but it’s the largest event in the industry that assists the Education Foundation in supporting the industry’s future professionals. If you aren’t already involved with this event, please join us ‘fore’ a great cause.”

Brandon Eckenrode, Collision Repair Education Foundation Director of Development, said, “Our golf fundraiser is an incredible event that helps us raise funds to support collision school programs. We anticipate that we will be sold out within a matter of a few short months, so please register early.”

The fundraiser’s online registration page also offers golf balls for the LORD Fusor sponsored Helicopter Golf Ball Drop. Each golf ball costs $15, and participants in the golf ball drop are not required to attend the fundraiser or purchase a ticket. If all 1,200 golf balls are purchased, on the day of the event, a helicopter will drop the numbered golf balls over a hole on the golf course. The sponsor of the numbered ball that lands closest to, or inside of, the hole will win  $9,000.

Participants can register online through the Education Foundation’s website.

(http://www.collisioneducationfoundation.org/collision-education-foundation-golf-tournament/)

Registration for the fundraiser includes 18 holes of golf, cart rental, beverages and snacks on the course, lunch, dinner, promotional items, and opportunities to participate in contests throughout the day.

Those interested in sponsoring the fundraising event should contact CREF Director of Development, Brandon Eckenrode, at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org or 847-463-5244.

 

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About PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™

At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more than 130 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $14.8 billion in 2017. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

We protect and beautify the world is a trademark and the PPG Logo is a registered trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

 

About the Collision Repair Education Foundation:

The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting collision repair educational programs, schools, and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation visit us online at: www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL (March 20, 2018) – The Collision Repair Education Foundation announced it has recognized 163 schools with its new designation program called the “Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark” that was launched in 2016. This is an increase of 35 percent from 121 schools that participated in program and achieved a benchmark in its inaugural year.

 

Under the new program developed by the Foundation, schools were classified into three tiers:

• Tier 1: Advanced,
• Tier 2: Proficient, or
• Tier 3: Developing.

 

The designation was determined by the Foundation based upon information provided by schools about the capabilities of their program on the Collision Repair Education Makeover grant application.

 

The program is currently accepting applications for 2018.

 

In 2017, 17 schools received a Tier 1 designation, 111 schools achieved Tier 2 and 35 schools achieved Tier 3. All Tiers saw increases as in 2016, nine schools received a Tier 1 designation, 80 schools achieved Tier 2 and 31 schools achieved Tier 3.

 

Schools are recognized at different levels based upon criteria that focus around the number of hours of instruction, curriculum in place, along with the tools, equipment, and supplies a school uses to prepare their students for employment in the collision industry.

 

Participation in the Makeover grant program provides schools with necessary items to help them advance to higher levels and expand their programs to best serve students and the industry. The goal is to help every school acquire the resources to eventually achieve a Tier 1: Advanced school designation.

 

“I want to congratulate all of the schools on their achievements for the Benchmark program,” said Melissa Marscin, Collision Repair Education Foundation Director of Operations/Administration. “The number of schools participating in this program continues to rise and the Collision Repair Education Foundation is proud to support those schools in their efforts to achieve the Tier 1 status.”

 

A complete list of schools and their Tier designations is available below:

Tier 1

• Aims Community College (Windsor, Colorado)
• Austin Community College (Austin, Texas)
• Bay Path (Charlton, Massachusetts)
• Chippewa Valley Technical College (Eau Claire, Wisconsin)
• Clackamas Community College (Oregon City, Oregon)
• College of Lake County (Grayslake, Illinois)
• Dauphin County Technical School (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)
• Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) (Ankeny, Iowa)
• Greater Lawrence Technical High School (Andover, Massachusetts)
• Idaho State University College of Technology (Pocatello, Idaho)
• Kishwaukee College (Malta, Illinois)
• Metropolitan Community College (Omaha, Nebraska)
• North Dakota State College of Science (Wahpeton, North Dakota)
• Ranken Technical College (St. Louis, Missouri)
• Southwestern Community College (Creston, Iowa)
• TCAT Livingston (Livingston, Tennessee)
• Texas State Technical College (Waco, Texas)

Tier 2

• Alvin ISD, Hensler CTE Campus (Manvel, Texas)
• Area30 Career Center (Greencastle, Indiana)
• Athens Technical College (Athens, Georgia)
• Bellingham technical college (Bellingham, Washington)
• Berks Career and Technology Center (Oley, Pennsylvania)
• Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation (Flat Rock, North Carolina)
• S. Monroe Technology Center (Leesburg, Virginia)
• Cape Fear Community College (Wilmington, North Carolina)
• CATEC (Charlottesville, Virginia)
• Cattaraugus Allegany Boces Center At Ellicotville (Ellicottville, New York)
• Cerritos College (Norwalk, California)
• Chantilly HS STEM Academy (Chantilly, Virginia)
• Chester County Technical College high school Pennick’s Bridge campus (West Grove, Pennsylvania)
• Cleveland Community College (Shelby, North Carolina)
• Collision Career Institute (Yorba Linda, California)
• Cumberland Perry Area Vocational Technical School (Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania)
• Dennis Technical Education Center (Boise, Idaho)
• Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School (Fall River, Massachusetts)
• Dowell J Howard Center (Winchester, Virginia)
• Duncanville High School (Duncanville, Texas)
• Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (Willow Grove, Pennsylvania)
• EHOVE Career Center (Milan, Ohio)
• Erie 1 BOCES Kenton Career & Technical Center (Tonawanda, New York)
• Erie Community College South (Orchard Park, New York)
• Essex Technical High School (Hathorne, Massachusetts)
• Fayetteville Technical Community College (Fayetteville, North Carolina)
• Forbes Road CTC (Monroeville, Pennsylvania)
• Forsyth Tech Community College (Winston Salem, North Carolina)
• Fort Myers Technical College (Fort Myers, Florida)
• Fox Valley Technical College (Appleton, Wisconsin)
• Freedom High School (Freedom, Wisconsin)
• Hayes Career Center (Columbus, Ohio)
• Gateway Community College Central City Campus (Phoenix, Arizona)
• George Stone Technical Center (Pensacola, Florida)
• Grant Career Center (Bethel, Ohio)
• Greater Lowell Technical HS (Tyngsborough, Massachusetts)
• Greenville Technical College (Greenville, South Carolina)
• GST BOCES Coopers Education Center (Painted Post, New York)
• Helena High School (Helena, Montana)
• Highland Community College (Freeport, Illinois)
• Hillsborough Community College (Tampa, Florida)
• Hodgson Vo-Tech (Newark, Delaware)
• Holmes High School (San Antonio, Texas)
• Hopewell High School (Hopewell, Virginia)
• Indian Valley Vocational Center (Sandwich, Illinois)
• Ivy Tech Community College (Terre Haute, Indiana)
• Ivy Tech Community College – Northeast (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
• John A. Logan College (Carterville, Illinois)
• Kansas City Kansas Community College (Kansas City, Kansas)
• Kennedy King College (CHICAGO, Illinois)
• Kingwood Park High School (Kingwood, Texas)
• Lake Career & Technical Center (Camdenton, Missouri)
• Lake Technical College (Eustis, Florida)
• Laramie County Community College (Cheyenne, Wyoming)
• Lebanon County Career and Technology Center (Lebanon, Pennsylvania)
• Lenoir Community College (Kinston, North Carolina)
• Lewis and Clark Career Center (Saint Charles, Missouri)
• Lex La-Ray Technical Center (Lexington, Missouri)
• Lorenzo Walker Technical College (Naples, Florida)
• Manatee Technical College (Bradenton, Florida)
• Maxwell High School of Technology (Buford, Georgia)
• Mercer County Technical Education Center (Princeton, West Virginia)
• Miami Valley Career Center (Englewood, Ohio)
• Mid-Coast School of Technology (Rockland, Maine)
• Montana State University Billings City College (Billings, Montana)
• Morgan Community College (Ft. Morgan, Colorado)
• Morrisville State College (Morrisville, New York)
• New Horizons (Hampton, Virginia)
• Nichols Career Center (Jefferson City, Missouri)
• North Georgia Technical College (Clarkesville, Georgia)
• North Idaho College (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho)
• North Technical High School (Florissant, Missouri)
• Northern Neck Technical Center (Warsaw, Virginia)
• Oxford Hills Technical School/ Maine Vocational Region 11 (Norway, Maine)
• Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School (Palmer, Massachusetts)
• Prosser Career Education Center (New Albany, Indiana)
• Randolph Community College (Asheboro, North Carolina)
• Regional career Technical Center (Saline, Michigan)
• Renton Technical College (Renton, Washington)
• Richland Community College (Decatur, Illinois)
• Ridgewater College (Willmar, Minnesota)
• Rolla Technical Institute (Rolla, Missouri)
• Saint Cloud Technical and Community College (Saint Cloud, Minnesota)
• Seminole High School (Sanford, Florida)
• South Central College (North Mankato, Minnesota)
• South Technical High School (Sunset Hills, Missouri)
• Southeast Community College (Milford, Nebraska)
• Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School (South Easton, Massachusetts)
• Southwest Tech (Fennimore, Wisconsin)
• Stanly Community College (Albemarle, North Carolina)
• State Technical College of Missouri (Linn, Missouri)
• Steel Center (Clairton, Pennsylvania)
• Susquehanna County Career Technology Center (Springville, Pennsylvania)
• Tennessee College of Applied Technology (Morristown, Tennessee)
• Tennessee College of Applied Technology (Paris, Tennessee)
• Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TN, Tennessee)
• Tennessee College of Applied Technology (Shelbyville, Tennessee)
• Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (Lancaster, Pennsylvania)
• Thomas A. Edison Career & Technical Academy (Elizabeth, New Jersey)
• Thomas A. Edison CTE High School (Jamaica, New York)
• Ulster BOCES (Port Ewen, New York)
• University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College (North Little Rock, Arkansas)
• Waite High School (Toledo, Ohio)
• Walla Walla Community College (Walla Walla, Washington)
• Warren Tech (Lakewood, Colorado)
• Warrensburg Area Center (Warrensburg, Missouri)
• Washburn University Institute of Technology (Topeka, Kansas)
• Wayne Community College (Goldsboro, North Carolina)
• Wenatchee Valley Tech (Wenatchee, Washington)
• West Side Career and Technology Center (Kingston, Pennsylvania)
• Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center (Limerick, Pennsylvania)

Tier 3

• Assabet Valley Regional Technical H.S (Marlboro, Massachusetts)
• Big Sandy Community and Technical College (Prestonsburg, Kentucky)
• Butler Tech (Hamilton, Ohio)
• CA BOCES-CTE Center @ Olean (Olean, New York)
• Center of Applied Technology South (Edgewater, Maryland)
• College of Alameda (Alameda, California)
• Delaware Area Career Center (Delaware, Ohio)
• Earnest Pruett Center of Technology (Hollywood, Alabama)
• Fauquier High School (Warrenton, Virginia)
• Greene Technology Center (Greeneville, Tennessee)
• Hinds Career Center (Elwood, Indiana)
• Indiana County Technology Center (Indiana, Pennsylvania)
• Jeff Tech (Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania)
• Judson High School (Converse, Texas)
• Lake County High Schools Technology Campus (Grayslake, Illinois)
• LeCroy Career Technical Center (Clanton, Alabama)
• Marengo Comm HS Dist 1554 (Marengo, Illinois)
• Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School (Littleton, Massachusetts)
• North Lawrence Career Center (Bedford, Indiana)
• Norwalk High School (Norwalk , California)
• R L Turner High School (Carrollton, Texas)
• Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational School (Billerica, Massachusetts)
• Silicon Valley Career Technical Education (San Jose, California)
• Sno-Isle Tech Skill Center (Everett, Washington)
• South Doyle High (Knoxville, Tennessee)
• Southwest High School (Jacksonville, North Carolina)
• Stuart Career Center (Baytown, Texas)
• TCHS Pickering (Phoenixville, Pennsylvania)
• Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis (Memphis, Tennessee)
• Texarkana Arkansas Career and Technological Center (Texarkana, Arkansas)
• Texas Southmost College (Brownsville, Texas)
• Tidewater Community College (Chesapeake, Virginia)
• United Technical Center (Clarksburg, West Virginia)
• Washington County JVS District (Marietta, Ohio)
• Wichita Area Technical College (Wichita, Kansas)

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About the Collision Repair Education Foundation:

The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting collision repair educational programs, schools, and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation visit us online at: www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL (February 7, 2018) – The Collision Repair Education Foundation announced that over 1000 students have registered for its first three Spring Career fairs being held in Tampa and Miami, Fla. and San Antonio, Texas during February and early March.

The first career fair is scheduled for February 14 at Hillsborough Community College near Tampa.

 “This is the third year for our Spring Career Fair schedule and students continue to respond to the events in record numbers,” said Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode. “The Career Fairs are key components of the Foundation’s mission to support collision repair educational programs, schools, and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities.”

The Education Foundation is partnering with the TechForce Foundation and S/P2 on the high school and college transportation career fair events in 2018. Through these partnerships, the events will bring together collision, auto service, heavy duty, and diesel students but will also help ensure attending students have resumes ready for distribution to the participating employers. The Education Foundation will also play a more active role in facilitating on-site interviews, employment related presentations, and ensuring the students are well prepared for meeting company representatives.

Employers at collision repair facilities, insurance companies and suppliers will have the opportunity during the career fair to take employment applications and interview potential new employees who have participated in collision repair and automotive mechanical repair training programs.

The current spring 2018 schedule includes:

• February 14th – Tampa/Orlando, FL – Hillsborough Community College
• February 16th – Miami, FL – Robert Morgan Education Center & Technical College
• March 1st – San Antonio, TX – Judson High School
• March 16th – Los Angeles, CA – SEMA Headquarters Office
• April 6th – Chicago, IL – Tech-Cor
• April 7th – Phoenix, AZ – LKQ
• April, 13th – Denver, CO – Manheim
• April 18th-19th – Greensboro, NC – North Carolina SkillsUSA State Competition
• April 24th – Atlanta, GA – Maxwell Technical High School
• April, 26th – Boston, MA – Assabet Valley Technical High School
• May 16th – Nashville, TN – TBD
• Dates & Locations TBD: Dallas, TX; Houston, TX

Companies interested in participating in these events should contact Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at 847.463.5244. The fall 2018 career fair locations and dates will be announced this summer.”

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About the Collision Repair Education Foundation:

The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting collision repair educational programs, schools, and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation visit us online at: www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (January 16, 2017) – The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) 2018 grant and scholarship application period is now open to high school and post-secondary collision students who will be attending career and technical schools and colleges in the fall. The Foundation and its industry supporters offer over $200,000 in grants and scholarships annually, as part of their mission to promote collision repair education and create quality candidates for entry level job opportunities.

“The scholarship has been a blessing in relieving some of my financial obligations while in school so that I can complete my degree. With my apprenticeship throughout the education, I feel that I will be that much farther ahead when graduation comes and I am able to pursue a full time job as a technician rather than just a helper,” said Scotty George, a 2017 CCC scholarship recipient.

George will graduate this spring with a Bachelor’s of Science in Technology Management with an emphasis in Collision Repair Technology and is currently employed at a collision repair center as a paint shop prepper and body man’s assistant.

“The benefit of learning about the field in school and the exposure to the projects and tools used in the classroom is that then they go with me to work in the afternoon for real world experience. This has really helped solidify the things that I’ve been learning and helping me get ahead and even help teach my classmates from my real world experience. As awesome as this opportunity has been though, an apprentice type position doesn’t pay much, especially when you only get to work a couple of hours a day. It would have been near impossible to continue my education if I had had to solely pay for it myself,” continued George.

This year’s opportunities include the following:

 

• 3M Hire Our Heroes Veteran Scholarships & Tool Grants
• ABRA Auto Body & Glass Tool Grants
• Atlanta I-CAR Committee Scholarships
• Bob Smith Memorial Golf Outing Scholarships
• Caliber Collision Tool Grants
• CCC Michael Salvatore Memorial Student Repair Technician Scholarships
• Collision Repair Education Foundation Board of Trustees Scholarships
• Sears VoTech Tool Grants
• The Lon Baudoux Legacy Scholarships
• Nashville I-CAR Committee Scholarship
• PPG Automotive Refinish Scholarships
• Snap-On Tool Grants
• Tim Clark Memorial Scholarships

 

Application information for CREF grants and scholarships is posted on their website, www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org. This year’s deadline to apply is February 15, 2018, and winners are chosen and notified by phone or mail in April and May.

Melissa Marscin, Collision Repair Education Foundation Director of Grant Programs, said, “We are thankful for the collision industry support we receive that enables us to continue our scholarship and grant program for 2018. We could not offer over $200,000 in awards this year without their generous support. I encourage all students to consider applying as the awards can be life-changing helping students to graduating without debt or with a tool box ready for employment.”

The Collision Repair Education Foundation aims to support collision repair educational programs, schools, and students to create qualified entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities.

 

For more information, contact Melissa Marscin at scholarships@ed-foundation.org or 888.722.3787, Ext. 282.

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Hoffman Estates, IL – January 10, 2018– The Collision Repair Education Foundation will be partnering with the TechForce Foundation and S/P2 on high school and college transportation career fair events taking place in 2018. Through these partnerships, the events will bring together collision, auto service, heavy duty, and diesel students but will also help ensure attending students have resumes ready for distribution to the participating employers. Compared to previous events, the Education Foundation will also play a more active role in facilitating on-site interviews, employment related presentations, and ensuring the students are well prepared for meeting company representatives.

“This is a partnership that makes absolute sense for us, and we believe for the transportation industry” says Greg Settle, Director of National Initiatives for TechForce Foundation. “TechForce strives to serve as a hub for the industry, to direct people, whether they be students, parents, educators or industry, to the best resources available. We believe that the Collision Repair Education Foundation fits that bill when it comes to Career Fair Events.” Jennifer Maher, TechForce CEO and Executive Director adds: “The strength of TechForce is truly in our partnerships and collaboration within the industry. The Collision Repair Education Foundation is a great example of an organization that is doing the right things for the future of our industry.”

Through the support of S/P2, attending students will complete the “Land That Job! Building a Resume” course which, upon completion, allows them to print a resume to bring to the career fairs. S/P2 President Kyle Holt noted, “The Education Foundation career fairs are fantastic opportunities for students, instructors, and shops alike. We can all do our part to help students transition into industry with the right first employers, and S/P2 is proud to partner on that effort.”

 

Each event is anticipated to average over 400 students and the current spring 2018 schedule includes:

• February 14^th – Tampa/Orlando, FL – Hillsborough Community College
• February 16^th – Miami, FL – Robert Morgan Education Center & Technical College
• March 1^st – San Antonio, TX – Judson High School
• March 16^th – Los Angeles, CA – SEMA Headquarters Office
• April 6^th – Chicago, IL – Tech-Cor
• April 7^th – Phoenix, AZ – LKQ
• April, 12^th – Denver, CO – TBD
• April 18^th-19^th – Greensboro, NC – North Carolina SkillsUSA State Competition
• April 24^th – Atlanta, GA – Maxwell Technical High School
• April, 26^th – Boston, MA – Assabet Valley Technical High School
• Dates & Locations TBD: Dallas, TX; Houston, TX; Nashville, TN

 

The Education Foundation will also be partnering with collision industry regional/national associations, dealership associations, SkillsUSA, and others to help promote the events to attract as many students and businesses to participate. Companies interested in participating in one or multiple career fair events should contact Education Foundation Director of Development, Brandon Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org or 847.463.5244. Additional transportation career fair events will be planned for the fall 2018 school semester as well.

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About the Collision Repair Education Foundation:

The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting collision repair educational programs, schools, and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation visit us online at: www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org.

About techforce Foundation: 

TechForce Foundation is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to champion students to and through their education and into careers as profession technicians. TechForce harnesses the collective resources of the transportation industry to develop tomorrow’s workforce of qualified technicians by 1) increasing awareness & enthusiasm for the profession; 2) providing resources to help access quality education for those with financial need; and 3) connecting trained techs and industry through mentorship and career opportunities. TechForce awards more than $1.5 million annually in scholarships and grants, and leads the FutureTech Success® campaign, an industry-wide collaboration to inspire middle- and high-school students to explore the profession. For more information, visit www.techforcefoundation.org.