Collision Repair Education Foundation

Press Release

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Audi and Volkswagen Donate Damaged Vehicles to Collision Repair Educational Programs

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (July 7, 2023) –

Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), Audi of America, and Volkswagen of America are proud to announce that they have partnered to donate 78 Audi and Volkswagen vehicles to collision repair programs throughout the United States. These donations will enhance the education of thousands of collision repair students and support the next generation of the automotive workforce. In a rapidly changing industry, it is critical that students have access to the latest vehicles and technology.

The donated Audi and Volkswagen vehicles were damaged during shipping to the point that they could no longer be sold to customers. Upon evaluation, a group of Audi and Volkswagen employees knew this wasn’t the end for these vehicles as they were still functioning and intact. The CREF team got to work with Audi and Volkswagen on how these vehicles could serve a new purpose. Months of planning, coordinating, and reviews among this dedicated group of Audi and Volkswagen employees, CREF, and schools resulted in the donation of these vehicles to automotive training programs throughout the country.

“We want to advance the next generation of technicians, and we’re committed to a more sustainable future,” said Mark Allen, Manager of Collision, Equipment & EV After-Sales Service at Audi of America. “This was an opportunity where creativity and an open mind enabled us to live our sustainability values and map out a new way to help our industry.”

Allen partnered with Tony Russo, Volkswagen Group of America Damage Prevention & Port Policies Senior Specialist, to reimagine the use of many vehicles damaged beyond reasonable repair. The Audi and Volkswagen team worked directly with CREF to help facilitate the donation of these vehicles. Allen and Russo also coordinated with Audi and Volkswagen dealerships and collision centers near the various schools.  This is to ensure there is support for both the students and the schools by providing career opportunities for students and sourcing parts and addressing any technical questions for the school.

“Audi and Volkswagen are giving back to the industry and the communities they work in by connecting their certification programs to the donation.  They aren’t just donating the cars; they are also connecting local dealerships and national training staff to the schools receiving the donations to ensure the sustainability of these programs,” shared CREF Director of Marketing and Project Management Amber Ritter. “The Foundation is incredibly grateful for this donation, and we are looking forward to seeing how the donation of both ICE [internal combustion engine] vehicles and EVs benefit students’ ability to better prepare for industry careers.”

The donated vehicles range from large SUVs like the Audi Q7 to comparatively smaller cars like the Audi A3. There is also a mix of both ICE vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs), including the Volkswagen ID.4 and Audi e-tron. The schools benefiting from these Audi and Volkswagen donations include the following:

Maryland

  • Center of Applied Technology North (Severn, MD)
  • Center of Applied Technology South (Edgewater, MD)
  • Gaithersburg High School (Gaithersburg, MD)

Michigan

  • Oakland Community College (Rochester Hills, MI)
  • Oakland School Technical Campus (OSTC)
    • OSTC Southeast- (Clarkston, MI)
    • OSTC Northeast (Pontiac, MI)
    • OSTC Southeast (Royal Oak, MI)
    • OSTC Southwest (Wixom, MI)

New Jersey

  • Passaic County Technical Institute (Wayne, NJ)

Tennessee

  • Bradley Central High School (Cleveland, TN)
  • Chattanooga State Community College (Chattanooga, TN)
  • Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT)
    • TCAT (Crossville, TN)
    • TCAT (Knoxville, TN)
    • TCAT (Livingston, TN)
    • TCAT (Morristown, TN)

Texas

  • JB Hensler College and Career (Manvel, TX)

Virginia

  • Academies of Loudon (Leesburg, VA)
  • Northern Virginia Community College (Alexandria, VA)

Leaders from the various schools emphasized the importance of their students having the opportunity to work on newer vehicles with current technology. Having this access will put their students in a position to become higher skilled entry-level technicians when they graduate.

“The donations will have a major impact on providing engaging, hands-on instruction for 480 students across four CTE [Career and Technical Education] campuses throughout Oakland County,” offered Christopher Vraniak, Campus Dean for Oakland Schools Technical Campus Southwest. “The donated vehicles that are assembled and equipped with the newest technology provide our students with the opportunity to train on the cutting-edge of the industry. Moreover, the EVs will put our students well ahead of the curve when it comes to the latest industry trends. This is greatly important; our advisory committee has shared that the industry is rapidly moving towards EVs, so the donation of four EVs to our campuses was a very significant donation for which we are very, very grateful. This is one of the largest donations we have ever received and will be a foundation for our students moving forward.”

“It is important to always be ahead and prepared for what is coming in the industry as our graduates are employed by companies throughout Tennessee and the nation,” said Cris Perkins, Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Advancement and Executive Director of the Foundation for the College System of Tennessee, which supports the public Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology and the state’s community colleges. “This partnership and donation helps further the mission of the Foundation for the College System of Tennessee to continually look for ways to bring in equipment and funding to help train our students as they learn at our colleges and make great employees.”

“All of these programs are often underfunded, so finding parts and cars is the hardest aspect these instructors face when reviewing their budgets. They operate on a shoestring of funds, making it incumbent on the instructor’s ability to trade, buy and sell cars or have fundraising events to fund their program,” said Tim Pfeifle of Tysons Corner Collision Center in Vienna, VA. “This donation will help many local programs, and I am so proud my supporting manufacturer is making this very generous donation, which will pay dividends to our industry for years to come.”

Audi and Volkswagen also recognize the need for students to receive the proper training on these modern vehicles, especially at a time when the nation is experiencing a major shortage of collision repair specialists. These donations further the goals of Audi and Volkswagen to attract and educate technicians on state-of-the-art vehicles.

“We have paired these learning institutions with local Audi Authorized Collision Center or VW Certified Collision Centers as well Audi and VW Dealers.  These relationships will provide opportunities for mentoring and opportunities for future employment,” Russo elaborated. “The schools will use the vehicles for both technical and collision classes until the vehicles can no longer provide any additional training value.”

Once the vehicles can no longer provide value to classrooms, learning institutions will contact their local first responders who will utilize the vehicles for further training. First responders look for the latest equipment to use during training, allowing them to learn the cut points and other hazards when conducting extrication drills. The remains will then be sent off for recycling. 

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 can Contact Us to learn about the many ways to get involved. 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 or any of CREF’s initiatives, please email info@ed-foundation.org.

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CREF Celebrates I-CAR’s 2022 $240,000 Donation and Volunteer Committees for Local Collision School Fundraising Efforts at I-CAR Zone Meetings

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (June 9, 2023) –

Since the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) was founded in 1991, the organization has worked closely with I-CAR to support collision repair educational programs, schools and students, to create qualified, entry-level employees and to connect them with an array of career opportunities. I-CAR and its team champions CREF’s efforts in a number of ways, including through the avid work of I-CAR’s Volunteers and Committees which support the Foundation’s initiatives by engaging with schools, coordinating local fundraisers, sponsoring uniforms and more to benefit their local collision school programs.

During I-CAR’s recent Zone Meetings, CREF honored 20 I-CAR Committees for their dedication to the industry’s future in 2022 and their outstanding local fundraising efforts to support collision school programs in the area! CREF Executive Director Brandon Eckenrode attended all three events to recognize each committee that held a fundraiser event in their local market to benefit local schools and also to accept I-CAR’s generous 2022 donation, a check for $240,000.

“Among CREF’s many initiatives to support collision repair educational programs, schools, and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities, the Foundation also works directly with entities like I-CAR to facilitate the industry’s generosity. I-CAR – both through the work of its direct staff team and through the volunteer work of its committees which are comprised of professionals from across the industry – is incredibly generous!” Eckenrode applauded the committees’ extensive efforts to support local collision school programs and students through a multitude of fundraising initiatives and volunteer efforts. “There are a lot of ways to make a difference including through volunteering of time, talents and donations. The I-CAR committees do all three of these things incredibly well through fundraisers as well as working directly with the schools and the students, and we’re grateful for the individuals who are dedicated to making a difference as well as the employers that support and encourage them when they volunteer their time to these efforts.

“The 2023 I-CAR Zone Meetings were a great success that brought industry professionals together to share knowledge, build connections and highlight the value of collaboration and community in the collision repair industry,” he added. “CREF is proud to be a part of such a supportive and dedicated community!”

Each committee honored by CREF for their efforts in 2022 received a unique bowling pin which was repaired, designed and painted by collision students around the country for use as recognition awards. During each meeting, CREF also had the chance to engage with local I-CAR volunteers through a break-out session.

“This was a great opportunity to provide an update on CREF activities and showcase opportunities where the I-CAR Committees can further assist students by ensuring their local schools are applying for CREF’s school grant and student scholarships,” Eckenrode recalled. “It also allowed committees to interact with each other to share tips and tricks on getting local schools engaged in their regions.”

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, host or attend a local career fair, and collaborate with CREF to hold a fundraising event to benefit a local school.

“As sister organizations, I-CAR takes support for CREF seriously,” says I-CAR CEO and President John S. Van Alstyne. “Not only do we provide daily back-office support for CREF, our Committees and Field Managers are very focused on raising the bar with schools, connecting them with CREF to drive improvement initiatives, and ultimately helping to place students in productive jobs especially with repair facilities. With our most recent donation, which we make annually on behalf the industry based on industry training activity with I-CAR, I-CAR has now donated nearly $2.1 million to CREF on the industry’s behalf since this donation program was put in place in 2012. The work we do together is making a difference for the industry, and we plan to do more in the coming years as our Talent Programming initiatives come to life.”

On February 24, during the I-CAR Western Zone Meeting in Phoenix, AZ, CREF honored two committees that have made a significant impact on the future generation of collision repair professionals.

  • Minnesota I-CAR Committee
  • Phoenix, AZ I-CAR Committee

The I-CAR Eastern Zone Meeting took place on March 24 in Charlotte, NC with eight I-CAR committees receiving recognition for their efforts to support collision schools and students.

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

During the weekend of May 5, the I-CAR Central Zone Meeting took place in St. Louis, MO where CREF recognized 10 committees:

  • Columbus, OH I-CAR Committee
  • Fox Valley, WI I-CAR Committee
  • Houston, TX I-CAR Committee
  • Indianapolis, IN I-CAR Committee
  • Milwaukee, WI I-CAR Committee
  • Madison, WI I-CAR Committee
  • Northeast IN I-CAR Committee
  • Northwest IN I-CAR Committee
  • Southern IN I-CAR Committee
  • Louis, MO 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, or to get engaged with I-CAR’s Committees across the country, can Contact Us to learn about the many ways to get involved. 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 or any of CREF’s initiatives, please email info@ed-foundation.org.

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Brandon Eckenrode Promoted to CREF Executive Director as Philanthropic Family Grows

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (June 6, 2023) –

Congratulations to Brandon Eckenrode, newly named Executive Director of the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF)!

While Eckenrode’s collision industry career began in 2002 in I-CAR’s marketing department, he joined the Foundation’s team as Associate Director of Development in 2009 while the organization was “transitioning from distributing curriculum to collision school programs to becoming the philanthropic focused organization it is today,” he recalls, identifying his early responsibilities as “educating the industry on the new focus and showcasing how CREF is uniquely positioned to facilitate industry support to collision programs in need.”

As Director of Development from 2012 through 2021, Eckenrode was heavily involved with CREF’s successful growth through his management of various projects and events that helped the organization gain visibility within the industry and beyond. For the past two years, he has served as the Foundation’s Managing Director, a role that has required him to “work closely with CREF’s Board of Trustees, staff and our partners to execute the organizational goals and strategic mission.” His skill and passion have earned him the well-deserved promotion to Executive Director of the Foundation.

“On behalf of the CREF Board of Trustees, we are thrilled to have Brandon promoted to the Executive Director position,” shares CREF Chair Steve Schmidt (State Farm). “Brandon’s performance over the past two years, his thoughtful leadership and his support of the CREF staff all contributed to this decision. With Brandon leading CREF’s efforts, we look forward to the future and to supporting the fantastic CREF team’s focus on continued growth and success within its mission to ‘support collision repair educational programs, schools and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities.’”

“It’s been a pleasure working with Brandon over the past few years,” agrees Vice Chair Brenda Hogen (Parts Trader). “His dedication and industry knowledge are second to none. Taking on the Executive Director role was an obvious next step given his leadership skills and industry knowledge. Brandon has represented the Collision Repair Education Foundation well by educating and advocating for students and schools for many years. His professionalism and expertise will serve to not only fulfill the mission, but also cultivate and utilize the team to their fullest potential. We’re fortunate to have Brandon’s dedicated leadership to continue to promote CREF’s mission and vision in ensuring we have sustaining programs to fulfill industry needs for technical expertise. We look forward to continued success.”

Eckenrode is honored by the opportunity to “lead the amazing CREF team. I have very big shoes to fill after CREF’s previous Executive Director Clark Plucinski. I feel very fortunate to be part of an industry and organization that I deeply admire. I plan to utilize my incredible network of industry contacts to get feedback and guidance while in this new leadership role, so we can continue to strengthen our longstanding reputation of supporting collision programs and ensure the industry is connected with these instructors and students nationwide.”

“I believe that CREF, in conjunction with its partners, will play a significant role in helping to educate the public on the technical trades being a viable career path option for students to consider and more specifically collision repair industry,” he adds, regarding his future aspirations for the Foundation. “This is possible by investing in local high school and post-secondary collision programs, ensuring they have the necessary tools/equipment needed to provide a quality technical education, removing financial barriers for students through scholarships/tool grants, and connecting students with the wide array of collision industry employers to address the aging workforce this industry faces like many other technical trades. Industry stakeholder engagement and collaboration will be essential for this to happen, and I envision CREF being a leader in facilitating this work.”

Eckenrode’s promotion comes shortly after the addition of two new members to CREF’s philanthropic family.

Meg Whalen recently joined the Foundation’s team as Administrative Assistant. A Chicago native, Meg boasts over 20 years’ experience as an Administrative Assistant who has worked for a wide range of industries, ranging from an oil company to a retirement community. “Each company came with new challenges and lifelong friendships,” she shares. “I’m looking forward to the same here at CREF as I learn more about the collision repair industry and how I can best support the Foundation’s goals.”

As the new Donor Development Coordinator, Kate Piazza will largely be focused on “putting the puzzle pieces together to really communicate impact to our donors and sponsors by providing missing data, connecting relationships and making informed decisions based on real giving history and capacity,” she explains. Having worked with non-profit organizations for the past decade, she hopes to “really enhance the capacity of the Foundation to grow more strategically by having a clear set of actionable steps to help reach those funding goals.”

“I am excited about CREF’s recent team growth which will help the organization execute its goals,” Eckenrode notes. “I look forward to focusing on how I can be supportive of the full CREF team and ensuring that they have the tools and resources for the organization to be successful moving forward.”

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 can Contact Us to learn about the many ways to get involved. 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 or any of CREF’s initiatives, please email info@ed-foundation.org.

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Technology Software Subscriptions Advance Collision Schools’ Capabilities with Donations from Audatex, CCC and Mitchell Through CREF

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (May 15, 2023),

Today’s vehicles are basically supercomputers on wheels, so students considering a future career in collision repair need access to the latest technology to better understand what life will look like in the shops where they will be employed. Fortunately, each year, thousands of collision repair students across the country receive the opportunity to learn on the same software widely used by the collision repair facilities and insurance carriers – at no cost to the school or students – thanks to the generosity of Audatex, a Solera Company; CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc. (CCC); and Mitchell, an Enlyte company, who all partner with the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) to support secondary and post-secondary students by donating software subscriptions. In 2022, software subscriptions valued at over $9.2 million were donated to collision repair educational programs at 517 schools across the United States.

“The Foundation is incredibly grateful to Audatex, CCC and Mitchell for their ongoing generosity and support of the collision industry’s schools and students. Without them, we would not be able to provide the next generation of technicians, estimators and suppliers with this invaluable opportunity,” says CREF Director of Operations and Impact Melissa Marscin. “Because collision schools’ funding is often very constricted, it is not always within their budgets to purchase the latest programs and technologies for students to learn on. The free subscriptions received from Audatex, CCC and Mitchell allow these schools to teach their students on the same program that they’re likely to encounter after graduation, ultimately making them better entry-level employees. After all, students who have access to the most recent technology during their education are more likely to be successful when they begin their career in the industry.”

“It is vital to equip students with the tools they need to succeed in order to build up the future of the collision repair industry,” Bill Brower, Vice President of Industry Relations at Solera, indicates. “That’s why we are proud to continue our support of the next generation of estimators and technicians through this software donation.”

Audatex’s generous software donations are part of the company’s collaboration with the Foundation on the Audatex Educational Institutions Program, which also provides eligible schools with access to online courses and training, a custom curriculum that includes CEUs, I-CAR points and technical support. This partnership has provided Audatex estimating software to over 300 schools’ collision repair programs, a number that increases each year. In 2022 alone, 59 schools in 29 states received Audatex software. To qualify for the Audatex Educational Institutions Program, technical schools in the United States and Canada offering a collision repair program must complete the Educational Institutions Program contact form found at Audatex.us.

“The need for additional collision repair staff has never been greater and the skills required are different than just a few years ago,” said Andreas Hecht, senior vice president, OEM services group, CCC. “Familiarity with the latest technology is paramount, and CCC is proud to support CREF and its mission to create qualified employees for the industry.”

CCC is a founding member of CREF and has helped tens of thousands of students from more than 500 schools through its generous donation of software, onsite and virtual training, and world-class technical support services, delivered at no cost to the students or schools. In 2022, 263 schools in 40 states received free CCC ONE Estimating software. The company  also grants access to its leading solution to connect repairers to automaker repair procedures and  and its  mobile estimating solution, which  allows estimates to be written right at the car.

“Collision repair facilities are facing a significant technician shortage that requires the support of all industry stakeholders to solve,” said Debbie Day, executive vice president and general manager of Mitchell’s Auto Physical Damage division. “By making our advanced solutions available to the next generation of collision repairers, we can help CREF fulfill its vision to create qualified, trained and productive entry-level employees that meet market needs, both now and in the future.”     

Last year alone, Mitchell provided students at nearly 200 participating schools in 40 states with free access to its estimating software, Mitchell Cloud Estimating, and Integrated Repair Procedures. The software works seamlessly with the company’s cloud-based product suite and Diagnostics as a Service (DaaS) solutions—giving future collision repairers essential training on technologies designed to improve efficiency and support proper, safe repairs. Using Mitchell solutions, students also learn the importance of OEM procedures as they diagnose collision damage and develop repair plans for today’s complex vehicles.  

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 can Contact Us to learn about the many ways to get involved. 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 or any of CREF’s initiatives, please email info@ed-foundation.org.

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Collision Industry Invited to Show Support “Fore” Students by Supporting CREF’s 2023 Golf Fundraiser

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (April 17, 2023) –

The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is excited to announce that its 21st Annual Golf Fundraiser, co-hosted by PPG Automotive Refinish, is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at Hillcrest Country Club in Indianapolis, IN in conjunction with national industry meetings. CREF invites collision professionals to support its efforts to bridge the gap between collision instructors, students and the industry by sponsoring a great day on the green!

Limited spots remain available for golfers, and those interested should snag a spot before they’re all gone! Collision industry companies interested in sponsoring CREF’s 2023 Golf Fundraiser should contact Tiffany Bulak, CREF Program Manager at via email at Tiffany.Bulak@ed-foundation.org.

Can’t make it to Indianapolis? The 2023 Golf Fundraiser also features an opportunity to remotely support schools and students with CREF’s Annual Helicopter Ball Drop, sponsored by Refinish Solutions Group. Simply purchase a $15 golf ball online before July 18th to participate. On the day of an event, the golf balls will be dropped from a helicopter over a target at the Hillcrest Country Club. The three closest, as well as the farthest, golf balls to the target will win cash prizes. Closet to the target wins $2,000, while the second closest wins $500. The participants who purchase both the third closest ball and the farthest ball from the target will walk away with $250 each. Participants do not need to be present to win.

“The CREF team looks forward to gathering industry members at our annual golf fundraiser to raise additional support for collision school programs that are face limiting program budgets,” CREF Managing Director Brandon Eckenrode says. “This event is our largest yearly fundraiser, and we hope you’ll join us ‘fore’ this important cause.”

Registration for CREF’s 21st Annual Golf Fundraiser includes lunch, 18 holes of golf, cart rental, complimentary beverages on the course, dinner, promotional items, course contests and an evening reception. CREF supporters can register online for $350 per person ($1,400 for a team of four), but claim your spot NOW – this event is anticipated to sell out SOON! Register or buy a ball online at bit.ly/CREFgolf.

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 can Contact Us to learn about the many ways to get involved. 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 or any of CREF’s initiatives, please email info@ed-foundation.org.

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Calling Artistic Collision Tech Students to Showcase Their Talents in the Third Annual PiN Master Challenge!

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (April 17, 2023) –

The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) excitedly announces that it will again be partnering with FinishMaster for the 3rd Annual PiN Master Challenge, which offers a chance for high school and college collision tech students to compete for prizes, equipment and bragging rights! Held in conjunction with FinishMaster’s Hood Master Challenge, PiN Master is scheduled for September 22, 2023 at 6-9pm at the Biltwell in Indianapolis, IN.

“The 2023 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, offering an optimal opportunity to demonstrate the artistry painters in this industry exhibit. We hope you’ll join us for a fun evening of exception art, networking and support for collision repair students,” explains Tiffany Bulak, CREF Program Manager. “A panel of industry professionals and influencers will judge each entry on design, repair and paint technique to select four winners to win prizes, such as paint guns and other useful tools, to help advance them in their careers.”

Eligibility for the 2023 PiN Master Challenge is open to any high school or college student enrolled in collision repair program, including students graduating in May or June 2023. Registration is now open, and CREF will be accepting entries through Friday, August 18. Additional information and registration information can be found at collisioneducationfoundation.org/pin-master-challenge.

Further championing CREF’s mission to support collision repair educational programs, schools and students, FinishMaster will also be hosting the third 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! FinishMaster raised $13,000 for the Foundation during last year’s auction. More information about Hood Master, including sponsorship opportunities, can be found at finishmaster.com/hood-master-challenge.

“We’re excited to see PiN Master grow each year, and we urge industry professionals to encourage students they might know to showcase their talents,” Bulak says. “It’s vital that we take advantage of all possible opportunities to generate excitement around this industry and its viability as a career option for students to consider by spotlighting both the industry and the students studying collision repair in high school or college.”

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 can Contact Us to learn about the many ways to get involved. 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 or any of CREF’s initiatives, please email info@ed-foundation.org.