News & Events

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (September 13, 2022) –

The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is pleased to again partner with FinishMaster to host the second annual PiN Master Challenge, where high school and college collision tech students will compete for prizes, equipment and bragging rights! The competition takes place at 6-8pm on October 7, in conjunction with FinishMaster’s Hood Master Challenge, at The Alexander in Indianapolis, IN…but the fun starts NOW with the chance to bid on the hoods and pins created by last year’s Hood Master and PiN Master entrants.

“It is an honor to partner with CREF to host the annual PiN Master event, in parallel with the 3rd annual Hood Master event,” shared Megan Gummer, Vice President, Marketing & Vendor Relations, FinishMaster. “FinishMaster is committed to investing in the future of the collision repair industry, and we are proud to support such ambitious, rising talent through a sponsored grant and education program. These competitors’ skills are truly remarkable, and we are confident that we will continue to hear success stories about these students for years to come.”

The 2022 PiN Master Challenge allows collision students to demonstrate their skills – and showcase their talents – by designing and creating the best restored and painted bowling pin. A panel of industry professionals and influencers will judge each entry on design, repair and paint technique to select four winners to win prizes to help advance them in their careers.

All winners will receive a 300-piece Craftsman tool set & a Smart^TM starter kit; in addition, the student who takes the gold will walk away with a SATAJet 20B spray gun. The silver medalist wins a Sagola Xtech 500 spray gun, and Sagola Classic Pro spray guns will be awarded to the third place winner as well as the Wild Card recipient. Eligibility for the 2022 PiN Master Challenge is open to any high school or college student enrolled in collision repair program, including students graduating in May or June 2022. Learn more at collisioneducationfoundation.org/pin-master-challenge.

Further championing CREF’s mission to support collision repair educational programs, schools and students, FinishMaster is hosting the second annual Hood Master fundraiser, where industry supporters can bid on the beautifully artistic hoods and pins created by last year’s Hood Master and PiN Master competitors! The auction closes October 7, so get in on the action at bit.ly/PiNauction22.

“We need to generate excitement around this industry and its viability as a career option for students to consider,” said CREF Managing Director Brandon Eckenrode. “Opportunities like this bring a spotlight to both the industry and the students studying collision repair in high school or college – that’s a win for everyone.”

Industry members interested in getting involved and supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s efforts to assist secondary and post-secondary collision repair training programs should contact Brandon Eckenrode, Managing Director, at 312-231-0258 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org. Monetary donations can be made online.

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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 about this topic, please email info@ed-foundation.org.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (August 1, 2022) –

For many years, Thomas Edison Career and Technical Education High School in Jamaica, New York offered only one year of collision classes. As juniors, students decided whether to study automotive or collision during their senior year. In 2012, Assistant Principal Moses Ojeda agreed with Automotive Collision Instructor Barry Roopnarine that “one year was not sufficient to get students trained for an entry-level job in collision repair.”

Upgrading the collision program to a three-year track necessitated “a major revamp from the ground up,” Roopnarine recounted. “We required new tools, equipment, supplies, and other necessities to help the program run smoothly and to ensure we were providing students with the education they’d need to be successful in their future careers.”

Fortunately, Roopnarine learned about the Collision Repair Education Foundation, and when he received reminders to provide information about Thomas Edison CTE, “I completed the school survey and filled some other things out,” he stated. “Then, every so often, the school would receive a package containing supplies or safety items being donated to the program from the collision industry through the Foundation.”

Roopnarine remembers applying for the Foundation’s 2014 Makeover Grant: “It was a lot of work! The Foundation collects data and references to obtain a good snapshot of the collision programs that applied. At the awards ceremony, I watched all the schools get recognized for various smaller grants, and then when it was time for the BIG one, all I heard from ‘Thomas Edison’ before I went into a state of shock that prevented me from hearing the rest of the school name. It was surreal –I wanted to share the news with everyone back home immediately, but there was a three-hour time difference preventing me from spreading the excitement that night.”

The grant being awarded could not have happened at a better time because, with the expansion of the program, it was responsible for providing a solid foundation. We received tools, supplies, and various pieces of equipment that helped modernize the classroom to meet industry standards,” Roopnarine added. “Without these donations, the revamped collision program at Thomas Edison would not have had the strong start that it enjoyed. The industry’s generous donations, facilitated by the Foundation, provided our students with the necessities to be able to learn the trade and sharpen their skills. Without the grant, budgetary constraints would have prevented many of these items from ever making it to the classroom.”

The donations didn’t just result in a revamp to the school’s shop; the Makeover Grant also resulted in a favorable impact on students’ morale. According to Roopnarine, “The students were always as excited as I was when there was a delivery, and that was BEFORE the grant. Winning the grant just meant MORE deliveries, and it was always exciting to see new things come into the shop class. Students saw the industry’s effort to ensure they had what was necessary for their education, and that motivated them to want to succeed! It is frustrating when you are trying to teach students something that requires hands-on activities, but you lack the tools and supplies to do so. CREF has helped alleviate that problem for Thomas Edison and many other schools.”

Receiving the grant brought financial support and vital donations to the collision program, but the Makeover Grant provided Thomas Edison CTE with an unforeseen benefit, as well. “Upon receiving this grant, industry support came along with it,” Roopnarine explained. “Training opportunities, internships, and additional supplies were provided, which helped us develop great working relationships with members of the industry. Their involvement constantly strengthens the program.”

“The support received from the Foundation has also played a critical role in our success as a SkillsUSA chapter,” Roopnarine added. “The donations have helped prepare our students for the various competitions, including a Gold Medal at the 2013 SkillsUSA National Refinishing Competition. It has also allowed top placement at multiple state conferences. Without the support of the grant and prior donations, this would have added additional challenges to overcome.”

Collision repair shops consistently complain that the industry needs more skilled technicians entering the field, while collision schools are in desperate need of more equipment, supplies, and internship opportunities, according to Roopnarine, who believes, “The solution is literally staring us in the face! We need to get the shops and the schools together! When the industry works with the schools, it helps prepare students for those positions that are waiting to be filled. Yes, there is a technician shortage, but together, we can fill that gap.”

Roopnarine works with local shops to provide job shadowing and internship opportunities for his students, but he’s always in need of more industry supporters to help ensure students are prepared to enter a shop with the skillset needed to safely repair vehicles after graduation. He shared, “We have been fortunate to work with some of the top body shops around, including Mid Island Collision and High Velocity Autobody. These facilities have welcomed our students in for mentoring and job shadowing and have allowed students to form a connection between classroom and industry.”

Many of those shops also participate on Thomas Edison CTE’s advisory board. The school’s “advisory board consists of industry professionals who critique our program and make suggestions for improvements. Students can job shadow, and they work internships at these shops which serves as a valuable resource on its own,” Roopnarine shared.

Being a recipient of the Foundation’s 2014 also provided additional networking opportunities for Roopnarine. “Getting involved with the Foundation not only allowed me to form great partnerships with industry members but also with instructors from across the country, through a Facebook group where we can share ideas, ask for help and communicate with others,” he said.

Roopnarine lauds the Foundation’s efforts to support collision schools and students. “I never thought Thomas Edison CTE would win the Foundation’s 2014 grant, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity given to my program by all those involved in the decision to award our school the grant. The Collision Repair Education Foundation only has a small staff, but they show personalized attention to the instructors they work with. The people behind the scenes are as amazing as the Foundation’s mission.”

“The lasting impact of winning this grant has been creating a gateway between the industry and the classroom,” Roopnarine added. “The media coverage we received for winning the 2014 Makeover Grant helped promote the vocational trades, and it also promoted the importance of industry support. It has set a momentum for the program that has kept going strong to this day!”

Industry members interested in getting involved and supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s efforts to assist secondary and post-secondary collision repair training programs should contact Brandon Eckenrode Managing Director, at 312-231-0258 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation, visit www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org.