Press Release

Hoffman Estates, IL – September 5, 2019 – The Collision Repair Education Foundation announced that Chief Automotive Technologies has donated welders and a rivet gun to be awarded to the collision business whose team places in the top three at this month’s inaugural Top Tech Mentor/Mentee Competition. The donation is in addition to the cash prize pool for the event.

The goal of the competition, being held September 28, 2019 at Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, Mo., is to recognize the performance of the next generation of collision technicians and their mentors on critical skills necessary to repair today’s high tech vehicles.

There is still time for teams to register for the competition. More information and online registration is available at:

https://www.collisioneducationfoundation.org/2019/05/join-the-collision-repair-education-foundation-for-the-inaugural-top-tech-competition/

The first-place team will receive a Chief PNP90 riveting tool valued at $8000. The PNP90 is a pneumatic-hydraulic system for riveting and pressing out self-piercing rivets. The equipment’s universal technology enables adaption of various attachments for different application.

The second and third-place teams will receive a Chief MultiMig 190 welding, an entry-level model for low-carbon steel welding. The 220-volt transformer-based welder has the power to perform both structural and sheet metal repairs.

The donated equipment the top teams’ supporting business receive are in addition to the cash prizes each team member will receive including:

• 1^st Place- $2500 each team member
• 2^nd Place- $1000 each team member
• 3^rd Place- $500 each team member

“I want to thank Chief Automotive for its support of the Top Tech Mentor/Mentee competition,” said Christen Battaglia, director of strategic partnerships for the Collision Repair Education Foundation. “Their continuing commitment to the collision industry and support for technical training benefits students and young technicians and increases the opportunity to succeed in a collision industry career.”

Mentor and mentee teams will perform and be tested on competencies the industry has deemed necessary for an entry-level technicians.

Industry individuals interested in sponsoring the event, participating in the competition as a mentor/mentee team, or who would like to participate in the committees organizing the event can contact Battaglia via email at Christen.Battaglia@ed-foundation.org for more information.

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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 (September 3, 2019) – The Collision Repair Education, the 501(c)(3) charity 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, is partnering with the Montana Collision Repair Association (MCRA) to support the state’s lone collision repair training program.

Montana State University – Billings in the only school providing pre-employment training in the state. Through the partnership, the MCRA and the Education Foundation will raise funds to provide the school and its students with:

• Hand tools
• Aluminum repair tools/equipment
• New frame rack
• Student scholarships
• Epoxied program floors
• Student work uniforms

Steven Wodrich, the collision instructor at MSU-Billings, said, “When I took over the program, most of the tools were in need of repair, replacement, or were obsolete. It has been a struggle to get all the tools I have needed to make my program current. I have worked very hard at finding donations and grants and have been able to update many of our tools but still have a long way to go to be completely current.”

“Through our the generous support of sponsors and the local collision industry we hope to help MSU-Billings students receive the education they need to succeed in the collision industry,” said Collision Repair Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode. 

“MCRA is proud to team with Collision Repair Education to enhance the future of collision repairers in the state of Montana.  Programs such as this are a lifeline to the repairers, schools, trainers, and students supporting the collision repair industry.  Thank you for your hard work and dedication,” said Paul Flores, owner/general manager of Rick’s Auto Body in Missoula and president of the MCRA.

Individuals and companies interested in supporting the Montana fundraiser should contact Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at (312) 231-0258 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

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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 – August 29, 2019 – The Collision Repair Education Foundation is currently accepting nominations for its “Collision Student of the Year” award. The deadline for nominations is September 27, 2019.

Launched three years ago, the Collision Student of the Year award seeks to recognize truly outstanding students training for a career in the collision industry. Nominated students must currently be studying collision repair/refinishing at a school that has completed the Foundation’s 2019-2020 Collision Repair School Solutions Survey.

“We encourage instructors to recognize the academic achievement, collision repair and refinish training success and drive of their best students with a nomination for the award,” said Melissa Marscin, Director of Operations/Administration for the Foundation.

Instructors who would like to nominate a student can download a nomination form from the Foundation’s website. (https://www.collisioneducationfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2019-Student-of-the-Year-Application.pdf)

In addition to an instructor endorsement, students must submit a one-minute video to the Foundation explaining his/her academic and collision course achievements, future plans for his/her career, and why he/she enjoys being in the collision industry.

Winners of the Collision Student of the Year award and their instructors must be able to attend the Foundation’s reception on November 5th at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nev. The award will cover two nights of hotel each for the instructor and for the student, airfare (or mileage if driving), and meals.

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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 – August 29, 2019 – The Collision Repair Education Foundation is currently accepting nominations for its “Collision Student of the Year” award. The deadline for nominations is September 27, 2019.

Launched three years ago, the Collision Student of the Year award seeks to recognize truly outstanding students training for a career in the collision industry. Nominated students must currently be studying collision repair/refinishing at a school that has completed the Foundation’s 2019-2020 Collision Repair School Solutions Survey.

“We encourage instructors to recognize the academic achievement, collision repair and refinish training success and drive of their best students with a nomination for the award,” said Melissa Marscin, Director of Operations/Administration for the Foundation.

Instructors who would like to nominate a student can download a nomination form from the Foundation’s website. (https://www.collisioneducationfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2019-Student-of-the-Year-Application.pdf)

In addition to an instructor endorsement, students must submit a one-minute video to the Foundation explaining his/her academic and collision course achievements, future plans for his/her career, and why he/she enjoys being in the collision industry.

Winners of the Collision Student of the Year award and their instructors must be able to attend the Foundation’s reception on November 5th at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nev. The award will cover two nights of hotel each for the instructor and for the student, airfare (or mileage if driving), and meals.

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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 (August 22, 2019) – The Collision Repair Education Foundation fall schedule of career fairs provides collision and auto service industry businesses with the opportunity to connect with high school and college transportation students across the country. Through these partnerships, the fall events will bring together over 4,000 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 collision industry employers 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.”

Painters Supply & Equipment (PSE) is sponsoring the Detroit career fair being held on October 8. PSE, headquartered in Taylor, Mich., serves more than 7,300 customers from 45 branch locations across Michigan, Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

“We at Painters Supply & Equipment Co. are excited about the opportunity to be the title sponsor, along with PPG Industries, for the Detroit High School and College transportation student career fair hosted by the Collision Repair Education Foundation. With our industry facing a shortage in technicians, it is imperative that we as an industry embrace, enable, and encourage talented individuals to enter the collision repair industry. Painters Supply & Equipment Co. was founded in 1952 in Lincoln Park, Michigan just 20 miles southwest of Detroit, which makes it extra special for us to support this career fair in one of our many communities we serve,” said Chris Kugler, vice president of sales for PSE.

This year, Mercedes-Benz is sponsoring three career fairs including events at its Mercedes-Benz Learning & Performance Centers in both Texas and New Jersey. The third Mercedes-Benz sponsored career fair will take place at Cerritos Community College in Norwalk, Calif.

The fall 2019 schedule includes:

• Louis, MO (9/27) – Gateway Motorsports Park (Madison, IL)
• Detroit, MI (10/8) – Lead Sponsor: Painters Supply & Equipment – Oakland Community College (Auburn Hills, MI)
• Dallas, TX (10/17) – Lead Sponsor: Mercedes Benz – Mercedes-Benz Learning & Performance Center (Grapevine, TX)
• Northern California (10/22) – Contra Costa College (San Pablo, CA)
• Southern California (10/24) – Lead Sponsor: Mercedes Benz & Hendrick Auto Group – Cerritos Community College (Norwalk, CA)
• All South Carolina (10/24) – Lexington Technology Center (Lexington, SC)
• Houston, TX (11/20) – Kingwood Park High School (Houston, TX)
• Robbinsville, NJ (11/21) – Lead Sponsor: Mercedes Benz – Mercedes-Benz Learning & Performance Center (Robbinsville, NJ)
• Miami/Broward/Palm Beach County, FL (12/10) – SouthTech Academy (Boynton Beach, FL)

Employers who are interested in participating at the events should contact Tiffany Bulak, Development and Marketing Coordinator for the Education Foundation via email at Tiffany.Bulak@ed-foundation.org.

“We are excited to be facilitating these events in new markets this fall and continue our efforts in helping to introduce the future professionals of the industry to local and national employers,” says Brandon Eckenrode, Director of Development for the Education Foundation. “As the aging workforce issue and need for entry-level staff are commonly referred to as the top issue facing the industry, we invite companies to get involved with these events and start networking with students.”

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 Eckenrode at (312) 231-0258 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org

 

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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 (August 1, 2019) – The Collision Repair Education Foundation and I-CAR have collaborated to provide an updated executive summary of the Snapshot of the Collision Repair Industry survey, which is now available for download. The survey provides data on both the business environment and the technician workforce. Over 675 collision repair businesses responded to the survey, representing over 4,500 technicians. The survey provides unique insights on industry trends such as average age, incomes, entry-level worker task expectations, and more going back more than two decades.

“The research clearly shows the collision repair industry’s urgent need to build its skilled workforce development efforts,” said Jeanne Silver, from CARSTAR Mundelein who serves as chair of the Collision Repair Education Foundation Board of Trustees. “The Snapshot Survey of the Collision Industry results provides a detailed view of the challenges facing the collision industry’s workforce and clearly identifies the path, opportunities and solid financial rewards available to people seeking to train for a career in the industry. We urge the industry to help the Foundation deliver these solutions.”

“We are pleased to again work with the Collision Repair Education Foundation in conducting this important industry survey,” said John Van Alstyne, I-CAR CEO & President. “The survey verifies the critical need for well-trained collision repair technicians – both today and in the future – and it also confirms the outstanding professional and financial opportunities that are available in the industry. Today’s rapidly changing vehicle technologies and materials require technicians who have the training and ability to utilize information, knowledge and skills to repair damaged vehicles correctly. There has never been a better time to consider a rewarding career in the collision repair industry.”

The updated Snapshot of the Collision Repair Industry survey is available for download from the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s web site or via I-CAR’s web site. This report of the survey results will be distributed to high school and college collision school programs across the country this fall, including an effort to distribute the information to school guidance counselors. Industry members with questions about the survey, or interest in supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation, should contact Director of Development, Brandon Eckenrode at (312) 231-0258

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 About I-CAR

Founded in 1979, I-CAR is a not-for-profit education, knowledge and solutions organization designed to support the evolving needs of the Collision Repair Inter-Industry. I-CAR is focused on improving the quality, safety and efficiency of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of the consumer.

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.

 

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