Hoffman Estates, IL – June 9, 2014 – AudaExplore, a Solera Company (NYSE: SLH), working together with the Collision Repair Education Foundation, has pledged a three-year commitment of $75,000 in tool grants that will be awarded to all high school and post-secondary collision repair and refinishing students competing at the national SkillsUSA contest. By working together with industry companies and their student product discounts, the retail value of these tools will exceed $150,000. The tool grants are meant to recognize the student’s outstanding efforts in qualifying to compete at the national SkillsUSA event and help prepare them for a career within the collision industry.
“This donation aligns well with our LIFT charitable giving program, which focuses on helping those in need to build sustainable roots for lasting change,” said Rick Tuuri, VP of Industry Relations, AudaExplore. “The U.S. Department of Labor projected the employment growth of the automotive body segment to be 13 percent from 2012 to 2022. SkillsUSA and the Collision Repair Education Foundation have done a fantastic job enhancing career opportunities for students to take advantage of this growth and we are proud to be a part of it.”
SkillsUSA Executive Director Tim Lawrence stated, “SkillsUSA is thrilled that AudaExplore is stepping up to support our students and the future of the collision repair industry. And, we are very excited that the Collision Repair Education Foundation and AudaExplore are working together to support America’s future skilled workforce through this generous donation of tool grants for the SkillsUSA students who have reached a level of national excellence in their preparation and training for the collision repair and refinish industry. This commitment from AudaExplore and the Collision Repair Education Foundation will help jump start the careers of young men and women who aspire to be the very best in their field of study and who will be the future leaders of our skilled and technical workforce.”
Collision Repair Education Foundation Executive Director Clark Plucinski noted, “I would like to commend AudaExplore in recognizing these students as they represent the ‘best of the best’ collision repair and refinishing students from around the country that have competed at the local and state level to earn the right to travel to Kansas City. It is important that the collision industry show these future industry professionals that they are valued and this student tool grant is an incredible display of highlighting their achievements.”
For additional information about AudaExplore’s LIFT program, visit http://www.solerainc.com/about-us/lift. Inter-industry organizations and individuals who are interested in supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation in 2014 and increase the amount of assistance provided to collision schools and students should contact Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed foundation.org / 847.463.5244.
