Collision Repair Education Foundation

Press Release

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North Carolina SkillsUSA Winner Reflects on FTCC Education, Prepares for Nationals

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (June 21, 2022) –

James Song has skills – as he demonstrated at the North Carolina State SkillsUSA competition where he won first place in post-secondary automotive refinishing technology.

“I was definitely nervous when I walked in, but I’d practiced three or four times each week for a month, plus I was fortunate enough to be prepped by Robbie Lynch, an instructor who has gone to states with previous students,” Song, a student at Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC), recalled his feelings on the date of the state-level competition. “After about 30 minutes, everything fell into place. It felt like I was back in class, practicing. I started feeling really confident then; I knew I could do this.”

Even the couple curveballs thrown his way didn’t shake Song for long. “I was unfamiliar with some of the alternate techniques they offered, but instead of allowing myself to feel pressured to do something different, I just did as I was taught, and the product came out really great.”

Although he felt pretty confident, Song found the win to be “unexpected. I didn’t expect to win. I wanted to compete so I could compare myself to others to gauge how advanced I am in the program and see how I compare to the rest of the industry. My friends thought I’d place and were surprised when I took first place. Although my family had no idea what was actually going on, they ‘knew’ I’d win because of my confidence.”

Doug Irish, collision instructor at FTCC, was less surprised by his student’s success. “James is a very good student. He’s focused and conscientious, and he’s a little more mature than most other students since he has an associate’s degree in another field and a couple years’ college experience behind him already.

“Since James joined the class, he picks up the concepts very quickly and excels at transferring classroom knowledge into skillset development on the floor,” Irish continued. “When he misses a lab, he comes in after hours to practice and hone his skills. FTCC and I were very excited that James won North Carolina State SkillsUSA.”

Doug Irish

Prior to enrollment in the collision technology program at FTCC, Song was working on the maintenance side, and as he considered the increasing electrification of vehicles and how that would impact the future viability of his career path, he decided that collision might be a better route to travel. Currently an apprentice at Hendrick Collision in Fayetteville, Song plans to pursue a career in the collision repair industry after graduation.

“I’m specifically interested in painting; it’s a different form of artwork,” he shared. “I’ve heard that it’s a tough segment and you need to be good to stand out in such a minute group, but I’m up for the challenge. I enjoy demonstrating what I can do with paint, but I definitely enjoy bodywork, too. I just want to work on cars in general.”

His studies at FTCC have prepared Song for his future career by providing “a lot of hands-on experience. The instructors are there to answer questions and provide examples of how to improve your skills, and I took all their advice in and used that knowledge to compete.”

According to Irish, one of the biggest challenges he faces as a collision instructor is in recruitment and finding the right students, but once he attracts them to the course, he works hard to train the next generation of technicians. Of course, the expense of the class presents additional challenges.

“Collision has one of the highest expense ratios when it comes to training and consumable materials,” Irish explained. “Fortunately, the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) helps us offset those costs through grants, tool donations and donated consumables. They essentially equipped us to restart the collision program in 2015 with nearly $1 million in tools, materials and products, all donated through the industry.

“CREF put a lot of effort into helping our program become more effective at teaching the skills that industry employers actually need from entry-level technicians,” he added. “We teach them everything they’ll see in today’s collision shops, including working on live vehicles so they attain real-world experience. CREF has also helped us connect students with employers around the country when the graduate decides they don’t want to stay local; 100% of our graduates who want to join this field have been able to land a collision job.”

Song believes that many young people have started gravitating to more hands-on trades and wishes that he’d had the option to study collision when he was in high school.

Next up? Song is in Atlanta competing this week looking to be on SkillsUSA Nationals awards stage on June 24th!

“It’s a much bigger stage and more difficult competition, but I’m looking forward to James’ ventures in Atlanta and wish him the best,” Irish expressed.

“I’m extremely excited for Nationals,” Song stated. “I just wanted to see where I’m at – I didn’t expect to make it this far. I’m going in with the same mentality as before. I hope I place, but I really just want to put my name out there. Whether I win or not, I want to have a good time and show the industry who I am and what I can do.”

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.

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.

Follow us on social media on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

If you would like more information about this topic, please email info@ed-foundation.org.

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Grants, Golf and Gratitude: Atlanta I-CAR Committee Strengthens Local Schools’ Collision Programs Through CREF

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (June 10, 2022) –

“Dear Advisory Board: Thank you for your support and letting me learn how to repair body work on a car. Without your help, and Mr. Goodwin’s teaching, I probably wouldn’t have learned what I learned this semester.”

“Thank you for donating tools to help us learn about a new career that can help us later in life.”

“You guys have done so much for our class. We can’t thank you enough!”

Collision repair students at Paulding County High School (PCHS) in Dallas, GA sent handwritten notes to members of their program’s advisory board after the school’s second annual Small Car Race, an end-of-year project where students race the six-inch-long small cars they’ve built using recycled car parts.

“By building these cars, the students learn skills like design, sanding, metal work, welding, and painting, but in addition to allowing them to develop basic skills, this project helps build their self-confidence,” shares Melissa Dunn, chair of the PCHS advisory board and co-chair of training for the Atlanta I-CAR Committee. “Students were so proud of the cars they built, and many asked for advice on how they could have improved the design and paint after the races. Returning students will take what they learned this year – and the feedback received – to build a better car for next year’s race.”

Dunn estimates that around 100 people stopped by to watch the races, including Hayden Swank, a late model race car driver with NASCAR aspirations. “Students were excited to see Hayden – and they definitely felt the pressure to do well in front of a real race car driver,” Dunn notes. “Hayden was wonderful to come to the event and support the school’s program…he even waved the green flag to start cars down the track!”

Last year’s Small Car Race generated enough attention to inspire several students to transfer into the auto body program for the 2021-2022 school year, which is only the second year for the collision repair program at PCHS. Instructor Leroy Goodwin taught automotive for six years, but he felt that he was doing students a disservice by not offering any auto body experience. “Two years ago, this program didn’t exist, but when the school agreed to let me add it, I started with nothing more than my personal tools and built it up from nothing,” he recalls.

But the program is growing strong. Two students competed in their state’s SkillsUSA competition this spring with Goodwin’s advanced student taking third place in collision repair and his first-year student placing fourth in refinishing. “His blending was dead-on; the judge couldn’t even find the blend lines,” Goodwin brags. “I was so proud of them both. We also had our first collision graduate recently. He finished school with an ASE certification…and a job offer. We’ll have at least 20 students graduating next year.”

So, how did Goodwin manage to establish and develop such a strong auto body program in a short amount of time…and on the school’s limited program budget of $5,000?

“Without the support we’ve received from our advisory board, the Atlanta I-CAR Committee and the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), there’s no way this program would be anywhere near where it’s at,” he expresses. “Our advisory board members are committed to our program and constantly make sure we have everything we need. The Atlanta I-CAR Committee has funded grants and donated tools, equipment and computers, while CREF has also given us tools, estimating software, paint and many materials. These groups are our backbone, and we wouldn’t have this program if it wasn’t for their aid.”

“Because PCHS applies for the CREF grant, they are also able to take advantage of funds raised by the Atlanta I-CAR Committee, allowing Mr. Goodwin to purchase more equipment for his classroom and teach his students the basic skills needed to start their career in the collision repair industry,” Dunn offers. “We are always looking to recruit students that have passion for their craft and want to continue learning; we need them now more than ever, and if we can pique their interest earlier, we improve our chances of seeing them complete their training and enter the workforce after graduation. Without CREF’s grants, many schools cannot afford the equipment and supplies needed to teach their students each year.”

PCHS received a $10,000 CREF Benchmark Grant in 2021, funded by the Atlanta I-CAR Committee’s Annual Golf Tournament. Over the years, the committee has raised over $700,000 for area schools, but their recent iteration generated the most funds to-date. The committee’s efforts raised over $100,000 to support local collision repair education programs through CREF.

“This was our biggest event ever!” Atlanta I-CAR Committee Chair Gerry Poirier divulges. “We sold out with 214 golfers, thanks to high involvement from all segments of the industry and the wonderful job our golf committee does. We have a great team in a great industry, and I’m lucky to lead this group.”

Collision repair professionals from all over the country flocked to the Atlanta I-CAR Committee’s 12th Annual Golf Tournament on April 20 for a beautiful sunny day on the green. While the helicopter ball drop is always a crowd favorite, with this year’s winner receiving $2,000, raffle ticket sales offered multiple opportunities for participants to win fun prizes. For Poirier, the highlight of the event was visiting with the four local schools in attendance, which provided evidence of the impact the committee is making. “This was the first time that four schools showed up to thank everyone for participating in the golf tournament and helping raise funds that support their programs.”

Maxwell High School Instructor Sam Melaragno felt it was important to attend the golf tournament to express his appreciation for everything the Atlanta I-CAR Committee and CREF do to help him and his students since 2012. “They’ve blessed us tremendously. Between the grants, tools and equipment, I never need – or even want for – anything. Whenever I need supplies, they show up for us, enabling me to focus on teaching my kids what they need to know to get started in a shop…they make my job easy.

“These guys really care about the industry, and they work tirelessly to get things done,” Melaragno adds. “Our advisory board is also great. They’re involved and eager to support our program, and they provide input on our curriculum to help us understand how we can get our students ready for them to hire. Their input is as valuable as the support they give us financially.”

“When we support a school, we don’t just hand them money and walk away; we get involved on their advisory boards and their activities because we want to help the programs and the students succeed,” Poirier agrees. “Raising a lot of money is great, but it’s more important that those funds being used to make a difference.”

Student engagement is the best way to gauge the impact of these efforts, and according to Melaragno, “When boxes filled with paint and supplies show up, the adult-sized high school kids get excited like it is Christmas morning. They can’t wait to see what’s inside, and they know that each delivery is just another way that the industry is investing in them and their futures. They notice how much these auto body professionals show up for them, and they recognize how much they’re needed in this industry.”

The Atlanta I-CAR Committee also wants to ensure that students are financially able to pursue their collision careers, so they recently awarded scholarships to two Maxwell High School students through CREF. Marinelly Santiago and Abale Haylay will each receive a $3,000 scholarship to use toward tuition, books and tools as they further their educational pursuits.

“This is an amazing industry, but we have to attract more young people,” Poirier insists. “Learning to fix cars can open so many doors to a great career, so we do what we can to get good people interested, educated and employed. CREF is doing a great job raising awareness with efforts like Operative Talent, but they can’t do it without our help. Industry professionals need to support CREF because you’re busy and can’t do it all – and that’s exactly why you need to support the Foundation!

“CREF is the industry’s voice for attracting good talent,” he continues. “As a shop owner, you don’t have time to go to the American School Counselor Association Conference to improve the industry’s image. You don’t have the resources to coordinate career fairs around the country. And while you’re hopefully invested enough in our industry’s future to sit on a local school’s advisory board, the Foundation engages with hundreds of schools and thousands of students each year on a national level – for all of us! Supporting CREF and your local schools is a really important ways we can all make a difference in our industry’s future.”

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.

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.

Follow us on social media on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

 If you would like more information about this topic, please email info@ed-foundation.org.

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CREF Honors 21 I-CAR Volunteer Committees for Supporting Local Collision School Programs at Regional Conferences

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (June 2, 2022) –

The Collision Repair Education Foundation’s goal is to support collision repair educational programs, schools and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities; however, that’s not possible without the industry’s support. Volunteer I-CAR Committees around the country avidly support the Foundation’s initiatives by coordinating local fundraisers, sponsoring uniforms and more to benefit their local collision school programs. During I-CAR’s recent Zone Conferences, CREF recognized 21 I-CAR Committees for their 2021 dedication to the industry’s future by holding a fundraiser for their local collision school programs in 2021.

“The Foundation’s role is to facilitate the industry’s generosity, and I-CAR Committees that support CREF are very generous!” states CREF Managing Director Brandon Eckenrode. “We recognized 21 committees for their extensive efforts in supporting their local collision school programs and students in 2021 through a multitude of fundraising initiatives.”

Each committee received a unique bowling pin which was repaired, designed and painted by collision students around the country for use as recognition awards. I-CAR believes that local engagement with schools and students is so important that many of their committee goals are related to these efforts. Committees are encouraged to get involved with school advisory boards, the “Adopt-a-School” program, host or attend a local career fair, and collaborate with CREF to hold a fundraising event to benefit a local school.

“Many of our committees are heavily involved with their local schools and support CREF because it yields positive results. They love participating with the schools, which aligns with I-CAR’s goal to do our part in improving the talent crisis across the collision industry,” shares I-CAR Director of Field Sales, Career & Technical Education Terry Ticel. “Our committees’   participation in the adopt-a-school program, fundraising events and advisory board involvement allows us to work closer with CREF and support their initiatives, while being visible in the schools and support the industry. This allows industry experts to provide students and instructors with insight into what the collision repair industry is truly seeking in entry-level technicians. That connection and communication is so important for both the schools’ and the students’ success, and as well as the industry’s future success.”

On April 9th, during the I-CAR Eastern Zone Conference in Charlotte, NC, CREF honored seven committees that have made a significant impact on the future generation of collision repair professionals.

  • Albany, NY I-CAR Committee
  • Greater Philadelphia, PA I-CAR Committee
  • Palm Beach, FL I-CAR Committee
  • Broward County, FL I-CAR Committee
  • Atlanta, GA I-CAR Committee
  • Nashville, TN I-CAR Committee
  • Knoxville, TN I-CAR Committee

The I-CAR Central Zone Conference took place the weekend of April 22 in St. Louis, MO with 13 I-CAR committees receiving recognition for their efforts to support collision schools and students.

  • Columbus, OH I-CAR Committee
  • Ohio Northeast I-CAR Committee
  • Ohio West I-CAR Committee
  • Indianapolis, IN I-CAR Committee
  • Northwest IN I-CAR Committee
  • Northeast IN I-CAR Committee
  • Southern IN I-CAR Committee
  • Fox Valley, WI I-CAR Committee
  • Milwaukee, WI I-CAR Committee
  • Madison, WI I-CAR Committee
  • North Central WI I-CAR Committee
  • Louis I-CAR Committee
  • Houston I-CAR Committee

On May 21, the I-CAR Western Zone Conference took place in Phoenix, AZ, where CREF recognized one committee:

  • Phoenix I-CAR Committee

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.

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.

Follow us on social media on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

If you would like more information about this topic, please email info@ed-foundation.org.

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Toyota Auto Body California Donates Nearly 1,000 Quarter Panels to Collision Students Through CREF

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (May 25, 2022) –

Toyota Motor North America, Inc. believes in taking charge of the future – and that’s exactly why they connected the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) to Toyota Auto Body California, Inc. for a donation of 944 quarter panels, valued at $632,480, which will benefit collision repair educational programs around the country. Quarter panels will be distributed to over 100 schools, immediately impacting over 3,000 students by allowing them to practice the skills needed to success in this field; however, the long-term impact will be much higher as instructors often reuse these panels in multiple semesters with many more students.

“Technician shortage concerns come up every time I talk to our certified collision centers, field offices and the industry,” Toyota Motor North America Collision Repair & Refinish Manager Kazuyo Jones explains why it’s important to connect industry with schools. “When Toyota comes across those part or vehicle donation opportunities, our organization wants to utilize those opportunities for people who need them. We need to energize the industry by doing what we can to support its future workforce.”

Collision education programs are frequently underfunded, limiting instructors’ ability to purchase vehicle parts to use while training students. By partnering with the Foundation, Toyota is helping ensure that the next generation of collision repair professionals receive the hands-on experience necessary to graduate with the skills they need to successfully join the industry as entry-level technicians.

“This type of in-kind donation is mentioned as one of the most needed items by collision programs across the US,” says CREF Director of Marketing and Project Management Amber Ritter. “This is truly an example of a donation that allows students to learn, practice and hone the important skills that lead to rewarding careers. Repetitions are an important part of the learning process, and Toyota’s donation is helping to make that possible.”

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.

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.

Follow us on social media on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

If you would like more information about this topic, please email info@ed-foundation.org.

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2009 CREF Scholarship Winner Pays It Forward

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (May 11, 2022) –

Most people have settled into their career by the time they reach the age of 39, so switching careers at such a stage in life may seem like a daunting prospect – especially when the choice was not of your own volition – but Susan Bock saw the challenge as an opportunity to expand her knowledge and examine her options.

Bock worked at an insurance agency for over 16 years, but in January 2009, her boss informed her that he had to let her go due to downsizing. “It was quite a shock as insurance was really all I had ever known career-wise, but I realized this would be a good opportunity to explore different career options,” she recalls.

Learning that she was eligible for a dislocated worker program since her former boss had laid off over 50% of his workforce, Bock enrolled at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, WI. Rather than discarding her years of experience in insurance, she decided to capitalize on her existing knowledge by looking at career options that would utilize that experience.

“I enrolled in the Vehicle Refinishing & Repair Technology associate degree program because I figured that I would need to understand how damaged vehicles are repaired if I wanted to seek a career as an insurance adjuster or write repair estimates for a collision repair facility,” Bock says.

Fox Valley’s degree program gave Bock “introductory hands-on experience with understanding how to repair a damaged vehicle. The prospect of heading into shop classes with zero knowledge was incredibly daunting; it was quite an adjustment going from using office equipment to learning how to look for damage on a vehicle, weld (which I absolutely loved), hammer out dents, disassemble and reassemble parts of the vehicle and refinish vehicles, including looking up color codes and mixing toners. And those were just a few of the things I learned!”

“Thankfully, our instructors Jerry Goodson and Joe Kircher were fantastic with teaching someone with zero collision repair skill or knowledge and providing a deeper understanding of the industry,” Bock adds. “Their support, combined with my desire to learn all I could, allowed me to do more than simply get through the course – I thrived!”

With support from Goodson, Bock applied for and won a $5,000 scholarship from the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) and AkzoNobel to assist in funding her attempts to further her education in the field. “The CREF scholarship aided me in purchasing the collision repair tools needed to go to school,” Bock shares. “The monies removed a stressor at that time, and with being unemployed, that really meant a lot to have support from the industry.”
“Susan looks at every challenge as an opportunity, and her passion for learning does not go unnoticed,” Goodson said at the time. “It is my belief that she will be very successful in whatever facet of the collision industry she may choose.”

Although Bock initially intended to become an auto physical damage appraiser, she ultimately chose a different path. In January 2012, she began working as an Instructional Designer at I-CAR. “Instead of ending up as a shop estimator or an insurance adjuster, I decided to research, develop and write training courses for the collision repair industry,” Bock notes. “Upon getting hired at I-CAR, I set up an automatic paycheck donation to CREF because I feel it’s important to keep paying it forward.

“Vehicles get damaged and need to be repaired, and we need people to perform those repairs,” Bock continues. “That’s why it is everyone’s responsibility to support the schools that are cultivating the incoming workforce to help ensure that vehicles are repaired safely and properly.”

Acknowledging that becoming an Instructional Designer was “not a career path that had ever entered my mind – or that I was even aware of as an option,” Bock indicates that it was a “great learning experience which laid the foundation for my next role at I-CAR.”

After four years in her first role, Bock moved to the Repairability Technical Support team as an Industry Technical Relations associate, ultimately advancing to Senior Associate Industry Technical Relations. “This position includes answering incoming technical questions via Ask I-CAR emails and phone calls,” she explains. “These questions often lead to I-CAR Collision Repair News articles which further helps the industry. Continuing to assist the industry is very important to me.”

Bock’s journey into the collision repair industry serves as an inspiring example of the heights that can be reached with dedication and a desire to grow, and she feels it’s important for students entering the industry to understand that the industry offers much more than many realize. “Go in prepared to learn everything you can, and understand that there are many different career options available to you. This is a growing field, and we need more new techs coming into this profession, but we need qualified professionals entering other roles as well.”

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.

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

If you would like more information about this topic, please email info@ed-foundation.org

 

 

 

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Houston I-CAR Committee “Adopts” Kingwood Park High School

Hoffman Estates, Ill.(April 12, 2022) –
 

Getting involved with local collision repair training programs can seem daunting, but the rewards are well worth the effort, as Chris Ryland, Houston I-CAR Committee Chair and instructor, can attest. Since the Houston I-CAR Committee “adopted” Kingwood Park High School, the positive impacts have been apparent.

“We’re seeing an influx of students. The more we’ve gotten involved with helping, the more notoriety the school gets, leading to increased interest in their collision program,” explains Ryland who has been involved with the committee since 2014and has served as a committee chair since 2017. “We’re able to provide them with materials that can be used to educate students, and we’re also working on a way to support Kingwood Park even further by having collision professionals visit the school as guest lecturers.”

Kingwood Park High School has received support from the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) every year since 2015, and in 2017, program instructor Jeff Wilson joined the Houston I-CAR Committee where that relationship was fostered and continues to grow. “Being a part of the Houston I-CAR committee has also allowed me to better prepare my lessons for the students enrolled in the program,” he shares.

The relationship also benefits the collision program from a financial perspective. “The support we receive from the Houston I-CAR Committee and CREF filled that budgetary gap with consumables that generally would have eaten up my budget. Both institutions have been a main contributor to the success of my students who complete the course,” Wilson acknowledges.

Most recently, the Houston I-CAR Committee donated over $15,000 worth of materials to the school during an Open House event.

“We brought in the donations so they could see everything, and then we gave a presentation,” Ryland recalls. “Once the floor opened up, we were tied up with different parents and students all night long. It was interesting, and a lot of parents questioned whether their kids were on the right path and whether they need to attend trade school after graduation. Hopefully, they’ll all enter our industry in the near future.”

“As great as it felt to donate the materials, the best part was actually talking with the students and their parents because it gave us an opportunity to explain that this is a great trade for their children,” Ryland continues. “The only way to attract new blood into this industry is by talking with parents and students to communicate how collision repair is changing and growing –not declining! –and make sure they’re aware of the many career paths they can take if they want a lucrative career. We have to engage them at a young age before they accrue a bunch of unnecessary college debt.”
 
“Students were so excited that they couldn’t wait to dig through everything and start using the materials,” Wilson reports. “Having new toys always piques our students’ interest, and we are so grateful to the Houston I-CAR Committee, UTI, SH Nissan, Leading Edge Collision, 3M, Axalta and CREF for donating time, encouragement, advice and over $15,000 worth of supplies to KPHS.”
 
Wilson agrees that industry’s engagement with students and parents is a vital component to successfully promoting collision repair careers. “Hearing positive feedback from actual industry professionals who spend every day in the field opened the eyes of many parents. Having a relationship with local shops/industry professionals helps with that ‘I don’t know’ factor which many students and parents have when entering this industry. With these partners, I have real-world facts being filtered to the students and their parents, which leads them to a better understanding as to what all is involved in the industry.”
 
“The ONLY way to get new techs into this industry is by getting young people involved, and we can only do that if we talk to students and their parents,” Ryland stressed. “Parents want their kids to do better than they did, but many of them don’t understand that working with hands as a skilled technician can lead to a great career path for their children. College isn’t for everyone, and there’s no reason for students who are mechanically inclined to incur student debt; instead, they should train to enter this industry where they could be earning $70,000 a year by the time their peers graduate from college. But the only way they’ll realize that is if the industry gets involved with the schools and informs them of those opportunities because no one else is going to tell them that.”
 
Ryland also encourages every shop to hire and invest in new trainees. “The technician pool is shrinking every day, and the only way to fill positions is to hire and train new people. If a shop isn’t bringing new trainees in, not only are they behind the eight ball-they’re also missing the boat completely. Shops can’t afford NOT to have a trainee on their payroll if they want to move forward and be properly staffed in the future. More techs are retiring than are coming to work, so if you’re not training, you’re in trouble.”
 
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.

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.