HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – August 14, 2015 – The Collision Repair Education Foundation announced a new Mission which has the national charitable organization: “Supporting collision repair education programs, schools, and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities.” In addition to seeking monetary and product donations to support high school and college collision school programs, students, and instructors, the Education Foundation will take a more active role in helping ensure that students graduate with the entry-level skill sets the industry is seeking and connect these students with industry employment opportunities.
To bridge the gap between graduating collision students and industry employers, the Education Foundation will be organizing a career fair tour this fall and next spring, which will be available to all industry members to participate. The geographic markets the Education Foundation is targeting for the initial career fair tour include: Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix, Seattle, Orlando, Salt Lake City, Chicago, Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville.
Vice President of Industry Relations at AudaExplore, a Solera Company, and Board of Trustees Chair of the Collision Repair Education Foundation Rick Tuuri, noted, “The collision industry should be proud of the fact that they have provided over $35 million in donations to high school and college collision school programs since 2009 when the Foundation began its philanthropic focus. While those donations have made a significant impact on the instructor’s abilities to provide a quality technical education, to help address the industry’s need of properly trained entry-level collision students, the Board of Trustees has approved this new career focus for the organization.”
Those interested in joining the Collision Repair Education Foundation in supporting local collision school programs and participating in the upcoming career fairs, should contact Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org/ 847-463-5244.
