News & Events

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL (January 21, 2020) – The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) 2020 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 $150,000 in grants and scholarships annually, as part of their mission to promote collision repair education and create quality candidates for entry level job opportunities.

Application information for CREF grants and scholarships is posted online. This year’s deadline to apply is February 20, 2020 and winners are chosen and notified by phone or mail in April and May.

Melissa Marscin, Collision Repair Education Foundation Director of Operations and Administration, said, “Thank you to the industry for continuing to step up and support collision students around the country with these awards. We have seen direct impact of these awards for future collision industry employees. Those students without debt or with a filled tool box upon graduation definitely have an advantage.”

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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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 – January 21, 2020 – The Collision Repair Education Foundation has selected the recipient of its “Instructor of the Year” award. The award recognizes the achievement of secondary and post-secondary collision school an instructor who has gone above and beyond their role and responsibility as an educator to become a true leader, role model and mentor to the students they teach.

The recipient of this year’s Instructor of the Year award is Brian McDonnell, a collision instructor at the Greater Southern Tier BOCES Cooper Education Center in Painted Post, N.Y.

“I really found out the caliber of teacher Brian is when I was his mentor,” said Tammy Divens, a registered nurse and New Visions Medical Teacher at the GST BOCES Cooper Education Center. “Brian works tirelessly to provide the most up to date skills and education for his students.”

The collision instructors working at career and technical schools and colleges across the U.S. have one of the most important and challenging jobs; to teach and guide young men and women towards becoming a successful asset to the collision industry and to have a thriving and fulfilling career.

 “The Instructor of the Year Award recognizes an instructor who has gone above and beyond his/her roles and responsibilities as an educator to become a true leader, role model and mentor of the students they teach,” said Melissa Marscin, director of operations and administration for the Foundation.

McDonnell received a trip to SEMA 2019 and was honored at the Education Foundation’s evening reception on Tuesday, November 5th.

 

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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 – January 22, 2020– LKQ Corporation, the leading provider of alternative and specialty parts to the automotive industry, continued its support of the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) with an end-of-year, 2019 contribution of $25,000. LKQ’s annual contribution allows CREF the ability to work on attracting students to local technical programs, support the students while in school, and help connect the students to local/national industry employers.

Terry Fortner, LKQ Vice President – Insurance, Sales and Marketing noted, “The shortage of collision repair and refinish technicians, combined with the declining budgets at technical schools, continues to be a serious challenge for our industry. LKQ is proud to support CREF in its work to support students and schools and connect people with industry employers.”

CREF Executive Director Clark Plucinski noted, “LKQ’s continued support of CREF provides crucial support to the industry’s efforts to help collision schools across the country. These schools graduate productive, efficient, and capable staff members Day 1 on the job within the collision industry. LKQ’s support assists in our ability to help high school and post-secondary collision instructors provide the quality technical education their students need to succeed in the industry.”

Companies interested in joining the Collision Repair Education Foundation in supporting high school and college collision programs, and instructors should contact Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org or 312.231.0258.

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About LKQ:

LKQ Corporation (www.lkqcorp.com) is a leading provided of alternative and specialty parts to repair and accessorize automobiles and other vehicles. LKQ has operations in North America, Europe and Taiwan. LKQ offers its customers a broad range of replacement systems, components, equipment and parts to repair and accessorize automobiles, trucks, and recreational and performance vehicles.

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. (December 17, 2019) – To continue its efforts of being the industry’s leader in connecting students with employers, the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) announced their 2020 high school and college transportation student career fair schedule, which will include events being held in at least the top 25 markets nationwide that employ technicians. CREF will be collaborating with industry associations, public facing Auto Shows, and other events that already bring together hundreds to thousands of local collision, mechanical, and other transportation program students.   The current 2020 high school & college transportation student career fair event schedule includes:    Spring 2020 ·     Pittsburgh, PA (1/24)* – 700+ students anticipated ·     Indianapolis, IN (2/7)* – 250+ students anticipated ·     Kansas City, KS (2/21)* – 600+ students anticipated ·     Chicago, IL (3/6)* – 1,000+ students anticipated ·     Oklahoma City, OK (3/6) – 300+ students anticipated (Held in conjunction with the Oklahoma City Auto Show) ·     Salt Lake City, UT (3/13)* – 500+ students anticipated ·     Boston, MA (3/20)* – 600+ students anticipated ·     New York, NY (4/2) – 250+ students anticipated ·     Denver, CO (4/3) – 300+ students anticipated (Held in conjunction with the Denver Auto Show) ·     Orlando/ Tampa Bay, FL (4/9) – 500+ students anticipated ·     Atlanta, GA (4/21) – 250+ students anticipated ·     North & South Carolina (4/30) – 400+ students anticipated (Held in conjunction with the Carolina’s Auto Body Conference Trade Show) ·     Philadelphia, PA (5/7) – 250+ students anticipated ·     San Antonio, TX – TBD – 300+ students anticipated ·     All Connecticut – TBD – 300+ students anticipated   * Held in conjunction with the AutoRama/ World of Wheels Student Day event.   Fall 2020 ·     St. Louis, MO (10/2) – 600+ students anticipated ·     Detroit, MI (10/14-10/15) – 700+ students anticipated ·     Southern California – TBD – 200+ students anticipated ·     Northern California – TBD – 200+ students anticipated ·     Dallas, TX – TBD – 250+ students anticipated ·     Houston, TX – TBD – 300+ students anticipated ·     Seattle, WA – TBD – 250+ students anticipated ·     Miami, FL – TBD – 300+ students anticipated ·     Washington D.C. / Baltimore – TBD – 200+ students anticipated   Collision Repair Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode noted, “These events are unique opportunities for dealers, service managers, collision centers, and others to meet hundreds of future transportation industry professionals. Tool and equipment companies have also taken advantage of these events for brand awareness through product demonstrations and sponsoring the event’s student technician shirts. We invite the transportation industry to join in helping to showcase the many different career paths available to attending students.”   Industry members interested in participating at one of the Collision Repair Education Foundation career fair events should contact Tiffany Bulak, Development and Marketing Coordinator, at 847-586-5332 or Tiffany.Bulak@ed-foundation.org.   ###   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. (December 17, 2019) –

The Collision Repair Education Foundation is proud to announce that CCC Information Services Inc. (CCC) has presented two Classroom Enhancement Grants to deserving schools. Lebanon County Career and Technology Center (Lebanon, Pa) will receive $12,000 and Highland Community College (Freeport, Ill) is the recipient of a $5,000 grant. Eligibility for these awards was achieved by applying for the 2019 Collision Repair Education Benchmark Grant.

CCC’s Classroom Enhancement Grants are designed to assist schools’ collision repair programs with classroom materials, such as electronics, tools, furniture and other items, to ensure that students pursuing a career in collision repair have access to a professional learning environment.

“These students are part of the next generation of collision repairers,” said Mary Jo Prigge, president of service operations for CCC. “It’s never been more important to ensure students have access to technology and a learning environment that will prepare them for the fast-moving and complex collision repair industry. We’re proud to invest in these programs and support the great work of the Collision Repair Education Foundation.”

CCC has been an avid supporter of the Collision Repair Education Foundation since 1993. For additional information about CCC, visit www.cccis.com.

Industry members interested in supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s efforts to assist secondary and post-secondary collision repair training programs should contact Brandon Eckenrode, Director of Development, at 847-463-5244 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

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.

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If you would like more information, please call 888-722-3787 or email info@ed-foundation.org.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (December 17, 2019) –

The Collision Repair Education Foundation is proudly to announce that BASF has donated two spray guns each to 21 different schools around the country to support their collision repair education programs. Each spray gun is valued at $1,000, totaling an in-kind donation of more than $40,000, and will help to ensure that students receive the training necessary for a career in the collision repair industry. Eligibility for these awards was achieved by applying for the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s 2019 Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark Grant. 

“It’s important to partner with industry organizations like CREF,” said Jeff Wildman, OEM Manager for BASF Refinish. “We need to ensure that the next generation of collision repair technicians have the latest tools and materials to help prepare them for their careers.”

 

The Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark Grants recognize schools that excel at educating students in collision repair, but due to strained school budgets, the programs require additional financial assistance to provide the tools, equipment and supplies necessary to ensure that students are prepared to successfully enter the workforce upon graduation.

The schools that will receive two BASF sprays guns are:

• Big Sandy Community and Technical College (Prestonsburg, KY)
• Carroll County Career and Technology Center (Westminster, MD)
• Cayuga Onondaga BOCES (Auburn, NY)
• Central Piedmont Comm College (Charlotte, NC)
• Chester County Technical College High School Pennick’s Bridge campus (West Grove, PA)
• Dennis Technical Education Center (Boise, ID)
• Eastside Technical Center (Lexington, KY)
• George Stone Technical College (Pensacola, FL)
• Hodgson Vo-Tech (Newark, DE)
• Judson High School (Converse, TX)
• Madison Oneida BOCES (Verona, NY)
• McKenzie Center for Innovation & Technology (Indianapolis, IN)
• Miami Northwestern Sr High (Miami, FL)
• New Horizons (Hampton, VA)
• South Central College (North Mankato, MN)
• Technical Careers High School (Idaho Falls, ID)
• Texas Southmost College (Brownsville, TX)
• United Technical Center (Clarksburg, WV)
• Walker Career Center (Indianapolis, IN)
• Walker High School (Walker, LA)
• Wenatchee Valley Tech (Wenatchee, WA)

BASF has supported the efforts of the Collision Repair Education Foundation since 1994. For additional information about BASF, visit www.basfrefinish.com.

Industry members interested in supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s efforts to assist secondary and post-secondary collision repair training programs should contact Brandon Eckenrode, Director of Development, at 312-231-0258 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

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.

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If you would like more information, please call 888-722-3787 or email info@ed-foundation.org.