HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – July 10, 2013 – High school and college collision instructors who had students medal at the recent 2013 SkillsUSA Championships in Automotive Refinishing Technology and Collision Repair Technology contests are seeing the connection between industry’s support through the Collision Repair Education Foundation and their students’ success. Many of the collision school programs that had students compete from the state level and those who medaled have been recipients of various product and monetary donations through the Collision Repair Education Foundation. In order to provide the most capable entry-level workers possible, the collision industry is encouraged to continue and grow their level of support.
Thomas A Edison Career & Technical High School (Queens, NY) Collision Instructor Barry Roopnarine, whose student won a gold medal in the 2013 refinishing competition noted, “The mission of our school is to produce individuals who are equipped to enter the 21st century. In order to meet or accomplish this we need to align with industry partners, such as the Collision Repair Education Foundation, and the donations we receive from the industry allow us to keep up-to-date with the latest standards and technology. Tools, equipment, and supplies can be costly so any donations are a plus in helping us keep classroom costs down while allowing instructors to provide the students with the latest skills needed to be college and career ready, thus making it a smooth transition when entering the industry.”
Chantilly Academy (Chantilly, VA) Collision Instructor Kenny Brown, whose student won a silver medal in the 2013 refinish competition noted, “My students at Chantilly Academy have benefited greatly from the donations we have received through the Collision Repair Education Foundation and its supporters. With a budget that is nonexistent for consumables, the donations allow my students to get more hands on experience than they normally would. It also frees up monies earned by the program to purchase practice materials for other training areas. There is no doubt in my mind that the Collision Repair Education Foundation and its supporters’ donations are allowing me to produce a better- trained student capable of competing in SkillsUSA contests at any level.”
North Idaho College (Coeur D’Alene, ID) Collision Instructor Calvin Dehaas, whose student won a Silver medal in the 2013 collision repair competition noted, “Generous support from the Collision Repair Education Foundation has helped us maintain our commitment to excellence here at North Idaho College. Our budgets continue to shrink but our students don’t feel it thanks in part to the support we receive from our partners at the Collision Repair Education Foundation. I have a hunch we are going to need to lean on this organization more and more in the very near future. Thank you for the Foundation and their donors’ efforts to help make dreams come true for our collision repair students here at North Idaho College.”
“Our donors have provided over $10 million in support to collision school programs, instructors, and students nationwide since 2008 and it’s important to hear that their generosity is helping to produce capable, efficient, and well-trained entry-level students. Now more than ever, instructors need this type of continued support and the Collision Repair Education Foundation welcomes all within the industry to consider joining our list of donors to help even more. On behalf of the organization’s Board of Trustees and staff, we congratulate the SkillsUSA Championship medalists and the Collision Repair Education Foundation is proud to provide any support we can to aid in technical education of future competitors,” noted Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode.
Industry organizations looking to assist high school and college collision school programs and their students through monetary and/or in-kind product donations should contact Collision Repair Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at 847.463.5244.
SkillsUSA is a nationwide partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a well-prepared skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps each student to excel. SkillsUSA serves teachers, high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations including health occupations. More than 300,000 students and their advisors join annually through more than 17,000 classroom and 52 state and territorial associations.
