HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – August 27, 2012 – Alliance of Automotive Service Providers Massachusetts (AASP-MA) will offer tool grants through the Collision Repair Education Foundation next spring that will be available exclusively to Massachusetts collision students. The tool grants will be funded by AASP-MA members and local industry through several fundraisers the organization has planned. Massachusetts collision students will be able to apply for the tool grant as part of the Education Foundation’s annual student scholarship and tool grant offerings in spring 2013. The tool grants will help provide the Massachusetts students with the proper repair equipment and assist in the students being productive, efficeint, and capable employees from day one on the job after graduation.
“Through a recent school/instructor survey conducted by the Collision Repair Education Foundation, we found that on average students personally spend over $600 on tools for their school’s collision programs,” stated Collision Repair Education Foundation Executive Director, Clark Plucinski. “I commend AASP-MA for working together with the Education Foundation to assist their industry’s future professionals and providing the proper tools and equipment that many students aren’t necessarily able to afford on their own. Massachusetts collision students will directly benefit through this program funded by AASP-MA members’ generosity, however I invite other industry associations to consider following their lead and example. Local industry members coming together to fund tool grants, student scholarships, and other forms of support through the Collision Repair Education Foundation can help transform local secondary and post-secondary collision repair programs and the industry’s future.”
“The AASP-MA is committed to assisting the next generation of repair professionals gain access to the tools necessary for successful matriculation into the collision industry. Collectively, the collision industry in Massachusetts has awarded over $100,000 in tools to students over the last decade. The Collision Repair Education Foundation is the perfect vehicle for faciliating our tool grants and we are looking forward to working as partners to strengthen the collision industry.”
For additional information on AASP-MA visit www.aaspma.org. Industry members interested in working together with the Collision Repair Education Foundation in supporting secondary and post-secondary collision repair students, instructors, and their school programs should contact Associate Director of Development, Brandon Eckenrode at 847.463.5244 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.
