News & Events

Hoffman Estates, IL – August 15, 2018– The Collision Repair Education Foundation is inviting the industry to help ensure high school and college collision instructors have a great start to their fall semester by donating tools, equipment, consumables, and other items. Instructors work towards graduating properly trained, entry-level staff for industry employment but continue to face limiting budgets.

 “Now more than ever do local high school and college collision school programs need the industry’s assistance and investment and a perfect time to help these instructors is as they begin their fall semester,” says Brandon Eckenrode, Director of Development for the Education Foundation. “If a company is not currently involved with a local school, we can help connect them. In addition to helping the collision program, the school administration seeing that local businesses are interested in their students goes a long way.”

Items in need for donation for collision school programs include (donations are tax-deductible through the Collision Repair Education Foundation):

• Supplies (sandpaper, masking tape, primer, paint, etc)
• Spare parts (fenders, bumper covers, etc.) for students to practice on
• Technician uniform sponsorship to promote professionalism
• Used laptops/tablets for estimating classes
• Safety equipment (respirators, safety glasses, etc.)
• Floor and wall paint sponsorship to help ensure the program looks professional for current and future students

Companies interested in donating and or sponsoring items to local high school and college collision school programs should contact Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org or 847.463.5244.

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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 – July 31, 2018– The Collision Repair Education Foundation announced the fall schedule of career fairs for transportation students. The Collision Repair Education Foundation has partnered with the TechForce Foundation on high school and college transportation career fair events taking place this fall. Through these partnerships, the fall events will bring together over 2,500 collision, auto service, heavy duty, and diesel students to participating employers.

The Education Foundation also plays an active role in facilitating on-site interviews, employment related presentations, and ensuring students are well prepared for meeting company representatives.

“Connecting students with the array of career opportunities in the industry is a key part of the Education Foundation’s mission,” says Brandon Eckenrode, Director of Development for the Education Foundation. “Our transportation career fairs provide the perfect opportunity for industry employers to meet with students who have trained for entry-level positions in collision repair and other related automotive professions.”

The fall 2018 schedule includes:

• St. Louis, MO (9/21) – Gateway Motorsport Park
• Topeka, KS (10/11) – Washburn Institute of Technology
• Whitestone, NY (10/16) – Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association
• Concord, NC (10/18) – Axalta Coating Systems Customer Experience Center
• Columbus, OH (12/5) – Fort Hayes Career Center

Companies interested in participating in one or more career fair events should contact Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org or 847.463.5244. Additional transportation career fair events will be planned for the fall 2018 school semester as well.

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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, Ill. – July 27, 2018 – Recognizing the escalating need for qualified technicians in the collision repair industry, the PPG Foundation, in collaboration with the Collision Repair Education Foundation, has awarded scholarships to five worthy students who have confirmed their interest in automotive repair and refinish careers. The scholarships are part of an overall commitment by the foundations to help provide the educational resources necessary — from vocational facilities to supplies and tools — to support future collision repair professionals as they complete their training.

This year’s student scholarships include four awards of $5,000 each as well as a $2,000 PPG MVP scholarship. The $5,000 scholarship recipients are

• Jennifer Stimmel (Texas State Technical College, Waco, Texas)
• Angel Sosa (Southwest Tech, Fennimore, Wisconsin)
• Abayomi Akinsanya (Kennedy-King College, Chicago, Illinois)
• Adrian Escamilla (Texas State Technical College, Harlingen, Texas)

The $2,000 PPG MVP scholarship was awarded to Carlos Simon, also from Kennedy-King College in Chicago. Each of the scholarships can be used for educational expenses including tuition, books, tools and supplies.

“Through PPG and the PPG Foundation, we continue to work closely with the Collision Repair Education Foundation to support future collision repair professionals and develop the educational facilities the collision industry requires,” said Domenic Brusco, PPG senior manager, industry relations. “By understanding students’ needs and supporting their education in collision repair and refinish, we help grow a capable workforce across the country that can meet the demand for highly competent technicians amid the industry’s ever-evolving technology. We are proud to honor our 2018 scholarship recipients.”

The PPG Foundation and the Collision Repair Education Foundation are dedicated to ensuring that the collision repair industry has sufficient qualified, properly trained and immediately productive entry-level employees. The annual scholarship program is one aspect of that commitment.

Industry members interested in working with the Collision Repair Education Foundation to support secondary and post-secondary collision repair students, instructors and school programs are invited to contact Brandon Eckenrode, director of development at (847) 663-5244 or Brandon.Eckenrode@edfoundation.org.

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About the PPG Foundation:

At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more than 130 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $14.8 billion in 2017. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

We protect and beautify the world is a trademark and the PPG Logo is a registered trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

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 – July 19, 2018 – The Professional Parts Group has displayed its commitment to the future of the collision industry by donating over $50,000 in parts to collision schools through the Collision Repair Education Foundation. The donations provide students studying for a career in the collision industry with much needed support of their chosen training programs. Schools eligible for donations participate in a variety of Foundation programs seeking to improve educational opportunities and the readiness of students.

According to Chris Northup, CEO of the Professional Parts Group, “Professional Parts Group is honored to assist the Collision Repair Education Foundation with their mission to support collision repair education programs and schools. Their efforts help prepare the next generation of qualified collision repair professionals which benefits our entire industry.”

“On behalf of Collision Repair Education Foundation and the collision students and instructors we support, I would like to thank Professional Parts Group for their support of collision schools,” said Clark Plucinski, Executive Director of the Collision Repair Education Foundation. “The support of an industry stakeholder like Professional Parts Group is crucial to the Education Foundation’s ability to assist so many of the future professionals of the collision industry.”

Companies and individuals interested in supporting high school and technical college collision school programs, instructors, and students should contact Collision Repair Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org or 847.463.5244.

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About PROFESSIONAL PARTS GROUP:

Professional Parts Group is committed to safety, quality and long-term customer satisfaction offering automotive collision replacement products with the highest quality performance characteristics. Professional Parts Group inventories and offers ONLY the finest products available. Professional Parts Group will not substitute lesser quality products for any reason. Every product offered is sourced by the Professional Parts Group team from the finest manufacturers in the world. To learn more about Professional Parts Group please visit at www.professionalpartsgroup.com

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 – July 17, 2018 – The Collision Repair Education Foundation announced the appointment of three new members to its Board of Trustees including: Doug Irish, Fayetteville Technical Community College; Mark Helvenston, Insurance Auto Auctions; and Steve Schmidt, State Farm.

Through the guidance, support, and direction of the Board of Trustees, the Collision Repair Education Foundation is able to continue its support of secondary and post-secondary collision students, their school programs, and instructors.

Jeanne Silver, chair of the Foundation Board of Trustees said, “We are pleased to welcome the new trustees to the Collision Repair Education Foundation board. The diverse viewpoints that come from a blend of industry segments adds to our mutual efforts on behalf of the students and their schools. We come together with the common goal of facilitating the education of our future work force.”

Clark Plucinski, executive director of the Foundation stated, “The Collision Repair Education Foundation is excited to welcome these dedicated individuals to our Board of Trustees. The leadership and generous support of our board strengthens the collision repair education system.”

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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 (July 12, 2018) – There is still time to support veterans and their families preparing for a career in the collision industry. The 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division, along with the Collision Repair Education Foundation, launched their 2018 fundraiser in May with two ways to participate:

• 3M Hire our Heroes 500, extended through Sunday, August 12, and
• Show Your Support Campaign, running through August 31.

Donations help support programs to attract and support military veterans seeking a career in the collision repair industry. Since 2013, the 3M Hire Our Heroes program has generated more than $1,065,500 that was used toward scholarships and tool grants for military veterans and their family members pursuing a career in the collision repair industry.

3M Hire Our Heroes 500

You can be one of 24 donors of $5,000 or more to Collision Repair Education Foundation for the 3M Hire Our Heroes campaign and you can drive a real stock car from the NASCAR Racing Experience in Las Vegas in the 3M Hire Our Heroes 500. Twenty-four drivers will compete against their peers for the fastest lap at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. As an additional bonus, the first 10 donors who donate $8,000 or more will drive a car wrapped in their own company branding. Donations to the 3M Hire Our Heroes 500 campaign can be made through August 12, 2018

Show Your Support Campaign

All donations of $200 or more made to the Collision Repair Education Foundation, earmarked for the “3M Hire Our Heroes fund” made before August 30, 2018 will receive a full size 3M Hire Our Heroes Flag designed by Chip Foose and be entered into a drawing for the following prizes:

1st Prize- Authentic Racing Helmet, autographed by 40 Cup drivers from the 2017 season, including Dale Earnhardt Jr, and NASCAR legend Richard Petty!

2nd Prize- Authentic Racing Helmet, autographed by 40 Cup drivers from the 2016 season, including Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart, and Jeff Gordon!

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3rd Prize- NASCAR® Racing Experience for 4 people at a track near you!

4th Prize-NASCAR® Racing Experience for 4 people at a track near you!

5th Prize- NASCAR® Racing Experience for 4 people at a track near you!

6th Prize- Petty’s Garage Sign Autographed by “the King”, Richard Petty!

7th Prize- Patriotic hood designed by Ryan “Ryno” Templeton!

 

More information about the programs including a link to donate online is available at:

https://www.collisioneducationfoundation.org/hire-our-heroes/

 

Industry members interested in joining the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s roster of supporters to assist high school and post-secondary collision school programs and students should contact Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at 847.463.5245 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org

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About 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division:

3M automotive products keep the world on the move, with innovative solutions for building, repairing and maintaining vehicles. From the collision repair professional to the individual vehicle enthusiast, people around the world trust 3M products to protect, repair and keep their vehicles looking showroom new. And our commitment to this industry extends beyond product performance to a careful stewardship of the world’s resources and environment. Serving the needs of our customers has made 3M a trusted leader in vehicle care and repair, and we are dedicated to earning that trust each and every day.

For more information, contact 1-877-MMM-CARS, contact your local 3M Distributor or 3M Sales Representative or visit the website at www.3Mcollision.com. Follow 3M Collision Repair Solutions on Facebook, on twitter @3M_Collision and Instagram @3MCollision.

About 3M

3M is a science-based company with a culture of creative collaboration that inspires powerful technologies, making life better. With $32 billion in sales, 3M employs 90,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNewsroom on Twitter.

 

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.