Collision Repair Education Foundation

Press Release

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CREF Invites Collision Industry to Spring 2023 High School & College Transportation Student Career Fairs

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (February 3, 2023) –

Shops, suppliers and other collision industry businesses around the country constantly lodge complaints about the lack of qualified help entering the workforce…but the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) works hard to connect businesses with future employees. Half a dozen Spring 2023 High School & College Transportation Student Career Fairs have already been scheduled from coast to coast, providing industry employers with an ideal opportunity to get acquainted with thousands of incoming industry professionals.

“CREF’s Career Fairs offer a great forum for connecting collision industry employers with hundreds of students who have trained for entry-level positions and are prepared to begin their careers,” says CREF Program Manager Tiffany Bulak. “This engagement with future transportation industry professionals is vital for all segments of the industry – collision centers, dealerships and even paint, tool and equipment companies – as a means of generating brand awareness for the business that will help attract qualified help in the near future. Even more importantly, participation in CREF’s Career Fairs helps us showcase the diverse career paths available to the students in attendance and promote the industry as a viable industry that will sustain their futures.”

Spring 2023 High School & College Transportation Student Career Fair Schedule

  • March 3: World of Wheels Student Day Rosemont Center (Chicago, IL)
  • March 3: OKC Auto Show Bennett Event Center (Oklahoma City, OK)
  • March 9: Universal Technical Institute (Long Beach, CA)
  • April 11: Warren Tech Central (Denver, CO)
  • April 14: Tulsa Auto Show Expo Square (Tulsa, OK)
  • April 27: Rosedale Technical College (Pittsburgh, PA)

And stay tuned for additions at collisioneducationfoundation.org/transportation-career-fairs!

To complement the physical career fair events and ensure CREF helps connect students with employers across the country, CREF has also developed an electronic student resume database which contains contact information for over 600 collision students.   

Interested in participating in an event listed above – or in collaborating with CREF to schedule one in your market? Contact CREF Program Manager Tiffany Bulak at Tiffany.Bulak@ed-foundation.org.

Unable to attend a career fair but still eager to get your company name in front of incoming technicians? Support local high school and college collision students by sponsoring work uniforms to ensure the future workforce recognizes the value of looking professional. For a donation of just $50 per student, companies can provide students with a brand-new Cintas technician shirt (branded with your logo), work pants and a safety kit. Email Tiffany.Bulak@ed-foundation.org to learn more.

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 Challenges Students to Get Creative: Art Meets Automotive Contest Accepting Submissions

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (February 3, 2023) –

Calling collision career and technical students! The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) wants to challenge your creativity! And proving your skills could provide you with the chance to win a tool prize valued at $500!

“The Foundation loves showcasing collision students’ creativity, and we’re so excited to see the designs they submit this year,” professes Melissa Marscin, director of operations and administration for CREF. “Art Meets Automotive offers a phenomenal opportunity for students to demonstrate their talents to the entire industry.”

CREF’s 2nd Annual Art Meets Automotive competition started accepting submissions last week, with a theme of “Transform, Refresh, Renew.” Open to all career tech students, the competition offers a chance for students to showcase their creativity by designing and creating a project using their favorite skillset: painting, sculpting, welding or a combination of all three.

Individual students (no teams) can participate in four competitive categories: refinish, body and refinish, welding or creative. Refinishing students will paint a mini-hood, while body and refinish competitors will design a bowling pin. The open-ended welding and creative categories allow students even more flexibility for expressing their imaginations.

Students interested in competing in the 2023 Art Meets Automotive competition should submit your hand-drawn or digital design, along with a completed registration form by February 28, 2023. Selected designs will be notified in March; all selected entries must be created and shipped to CREF by August 30 with judging to occur on social media and at SEMA 2023 where winners will be announced. One winner in each category will receive a tool prize valued at $500. Submission requirements and other registration information can be found at collisioneducationfoundation.org/art-meets-automotive-contest.

“We’re hopeful that we’ll see even more entries in 2023 for our second annual Art Meets Automotive contest, and we urge industry professionals to encourage students they might know to showcase their talents,” Marscin says. “It’s vital that we find 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.

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A Year in Review: CREF Celebrates a Successful 2022

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (January 13, 2023) –

What is success? Success is defined as reaching a goal or accomplishing one’s purpose. For the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), that purpose 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.” And based on that purpose, it’s fair to say that CREF enjoyed a lot of successes in 2022, with over $12 million in support distributed!

“CREF is incredibly proud of everything we accomplished last year…and we accomplished a LOT,” says CREF Managing Director Brandon Eckenrode. “From school grants to scholarships to representation at various events around the country to raise awareness of the many wonderful opportunities available in this industry – none of this would have been possible without the continued support of our generous industry partners. By working together, we’re creating stronger school programs and a more qualified future workforce.”

For over 30 years, the Foundation has striven to help underfunded collision education programs by providing them with the resources needed to elevate the caliber of training offered to ensure graduates are prepared to successfully begin their careers in the industry, and this goal is accomplished in several ways.

In 2022, nearly 70 collision schools received CREF Benchmark Grants, totaling $436,000 and impacting over 35,000 students. Additionally, the Foundation distributed over $10 million worth of in-kind donations, including parts, products, quarter panels, subscriptions, safety equipment and more.

Demonstrating the industry’s commitment to their future careers, CREF’s efforts also extended directly to the next generation of collision repair professionals with over 4,000 uniforms given to students. Additionally, 46 students received nearly $150,000 in 2022 scholarships and tool grants funded by the Foundation and its generous supporters.

CREF also works hard to raise awareness of the multitude of career opportunities available within the collision repair industry, and last year, they addressed this initiative in a number of productive ways. During the American School Counselor Association Conference, the Foundation highlighted the collision repair industry as a viable and valuable career to over 4,000 school counselors, indirectly promoting that message to approximately 100,000 additional students those education professionals will encounter in the 2022-2023 school year alone

Through its 2022 Transportation Career Fairs, the Foundation directly connected industry employers with over 1,800 students interested in a collision or transportation industry career. More than 1,000 posters and hundreds of banners promoting the various opportunities were distributed to collision programs across the country to further promote the viability of a collision career.

CREF found opportunities to identify, highlight and elevate students actively pursuing an industry career through competitions, including the PiN Master event, held in conjunction with FinishMaster’s Hood Master Challenge. Students were given the opportunity to compete against each other by repairing, designing and painting retired bowling pins in an effort to showcase these students’ skills and to support the future of this industry. Over $13,000 was raised, plus four PiN Master winners were recognized:

  • 1st Place: Eric De La Cruz⁠ (Lincoln Tech; Indianapolis, IN)
  • 2nd Place: Colton Griggs⁠ (Kingwood Park High School; Houston, TX)
  • 3rd Place: Erin Shannon (Lincoln Tech; Indianapolis, IN)
  • Wild Card: Jordan Hoag⁠ (Cape Fear Community College; Wilmington, NC)

Art Meets Automotive provided students with a chance to design and create a project using their favorite skillset, with entries being displayed at CREF’s reception during SEMA 2022. Sixty contestants entered the contest, with 30 submissions being chosen to compete on social media. Ultimately, the Foundation announced the winner as George Thomas (Ulster BOCES Career and Technical Center; Port Ewen, NY).

As part of its efforts to promote its mission to the industry and to generate support, the Foundation holds two annual golf fundraisers, and in 2022, both events generated over $120,000 to be used to further advance collision schools and students.

CREF’s efforts are led by its Executive Committee and Board of Trustees, which consists of industry professionals who are dedicated to supporting the future of the industry through engagement with collision schools and students. These leaders offer guidance and encouragement, and without their devotion to the organization’s mission, CREF could not have enjoyed such a successful year. The Foundation expresses its gratitude to its leadership team:

  • Chair Steve Schmidt (State Farm)
  • Vice Chair Kevin Burnett (Gerber Collision & Glass)
  • Secretary Doug Irish (Fayetteville Technical Community College)
  • Treasurer Ryan West (GEICO)
  • Trustee-at-Large Don Mikrut (Wejo)
  • Trustee-at-Large Brenda Hogan (Parts Trader)
  • Immediate Past Chair Tom Wolf (PPG Industries)
  • Stacy Bartnik (Intertek)
  • Keith Bell (Axalta Coating Systems)
  • Tom Brown (3M)
  • Mike Croker (Chief Automotive)
  • Paul Folino (LKQ Corporation)
  • Ty Gammill (Caliber Collision Centers)
  • Andreas Hecht (CCC Intelligent Solutions)
  • Mark Helvenston (Insurance Auto Auctions)
  • Ken Hudson (Farmers Insurance)
  • Sean Huurman (Service King Collision Repair)
  • Josh Krentz (Forbes Road Career and Technology Center)
  • Sandee Lindorfer (Allstate Insurance Company)
  • Mark Verbois (Enterprise Holdings)
  • Trustee Emeriti J. Laurence “Larry” Costin (CCC Information Services, Inc.)
  • Trustee Emeriti Lirel G. Holt (U, Inc.)
  • Trustee Emeriti Chuck Sulkala

“The Foundation is grateful to every individual and organization that donated funds and products, as well as all of our amazing volunteers,” Eckenrode offers another round of thanks. “We’re addressing the technician shortage from every possible angle as we try to attract qualified talent to this field, but we rely on everyone’s involvement because we are stronger together…Let’s make 2023 an even more successful year!”         

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 Opens 2023 Scholarship Applications

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (January 13, 2023) –

The ongoing technician shortage poses a problem for many collision repair facilities around the country, and while most can agree that the resolution begins with the youth who will become the industry’s future, students often struggle to pay post-secondary tuition. The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) attempts to address some of those funding concerns through its Student Scholarship awards.

In order to be eligible for the Foundation’s scholarships, applicants must visit a collision industry business – shops, suppliers, paint companies or any other segment – and CREF urges industry organizations to participate in this step of the process, which will also allow them to get acquainted with the next generation of collision professionals.

“Hopefully, this process will help students envision the many opportunities available to them, and we’re hopeful that industry organizations could even extend future job offers,” says Melissa Marscin, director of operations and administration for the Foundation. “Helping students pursue a collision education without accruing debt has made a huge impact for hundreds of student over the years, and CREF is thankful for the industry supporters who have made this possible by continuing to step up and donate to fund these annual scholarships.”

CREF’s 2022 Student Scholarships provided 46 students with nearly $150,000 in financial assistance to ensure those students will be able to continue their education and that they are prepared to pursue a successful career in body shops around the country.

In addition to scholarships and tool grants, 50 veterans will receive toolboxes, valued up to $500 each, through CREF and 3M’s Hire Our Heroes initiative.

Applications will open January 13 with a deadline of March 9, 2023. Apply for a Student Scholarship online.

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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Ten I-CAR Committees Raise $163,000 to Benefit 27 Collision Schools with Benchmark Grants Through CREF

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (January 4, 2023) –

The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is excited to announce that 27 secondary and post-secondary schools in the United States will benefit from Benchmark grants funded through the efforts of ten devoted I-CAR Committees. Various fundraising methods were employed, generating $163,000 in funds that will aid the industry’s future generation in becoming prepared for a career in collision repair.

“Our volunteers and committees do a masterful job at fundraising for their local schools,” said Terry Ticel, Director, Field Sales, Career & Technical Education, I-CAR. “Most of our volunteers are from the industry, so they understand and recognize the need for school and student support. Their influence in the industry promotes incredible sponsor support from manufacturers, suppliers and local businesses in their markets. We appreciate the time, talent and efforts of all our volunteers, which make these fundraising events a huge success.”

“The funding raised by these local volunteer I-CAR committees for their local collision programs is crucial for these programs to afford the needed tools, equipment, and supplies which their budgets don’t always allow for,” Brandon Eckenrode, Managing Director of the Foundation, shared. “Thank you to all the committees who have been active at the local level organizing these fundraisers with CREF! The local collision students seeing and meeting the industry members in their market is essential to keeping the students motivated to stay within the industry. We look forward to collaborating with even more I-CAR committees in 2023.”

The ten I-CAR Committees and the grants they bestowed include:

Atlanta I-CAR Committee

  • Athens Technical College (Athens, GA): $10,000
  • Etowah High School (Woodstock, GA): $15,000
  • Maxwell High School of Technology (Lawrenceville, GA): $5,000
  • North Georgia Technical College (Clarkesville, GA): $10,000
  • Paulding County High School (Dallas, GA): $15,000

Broward County I-CAR Committee:

  • Atlantic Technical College (Coconut Creek, FL): $5,000
  • McFatter Technical College (Davie, FL): $5,000
  • Sheridan Technical College (Hollywood, FL): $5,000

Columbus Collision Education Group

  • Miami Valley Career and Technology Center (Englewood, OH): $2,500

Greater Philadelphia I-CAR Committee

  • Berks Career & Technology Center (Oley, PA): $3,000
  • Central Montco Technical High School (Plymouth Meeting, PA): $4,000
  • Lebanon County Career & Technology Center (Lebanon, PA): $1,500
  • Pennsylvania College of Technology (Williamsport, PA): $4,000

Indianapolis I-CAR Committee

  • Central Nine Career Center (Greenwood, IN): $5,000
  • Walker Career Center (Indianapolis, IN): $5,000

Knoxville I-CAR Committee

  • TCAT (Knoxville, TN): $5,000
  • TCAT (Morristown, TN): $5,000
  • Greene Technical Center (Greeneville, TN): $2,500

Nashville I-CAR Committee

  • Lincoln College of Technology (Nashville, TN): $5,000
  • Northwest High School (Clarksville, TN): $13,000

Palm Beach I-CAR Committee

  • South Tech Academy (Boynton Beach, FL): $5,000

Phoenix I-CAR Committee

  • East Valley Institute of Technology (Mesa, AZ): $10,000
  • Gateway Community College Central City Campus (Phoenix, AZ): $10,000
  • West-MEC (Phoenix, AZ): $5,000

 

St. Louis I-CAR Committee

  • Lewis and Clark Career Center (St. Charles, MO): $2,500
  • North Technical High School (Florissant, MO): $2,500
  • South Technical High School (Sunset Hills, MO): $2,500

Eligibility for these awards was achieved by applying for the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s 2022 Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark Grant. The Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark Grants recognize schools that excel at educating students in collision repair, but due to strained school budgets, the programs require additional financial assistance. Recipient schools use these funds to provide the tools, equipment and supplies necessary to enhance their students’ learning experience and elevate the caliber of their graduates, ensuring that graduates are prepared to successfully enter the workforce upon graduation. Applications for the 2023 Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark Grants will be available online in Spring 2023.

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.

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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.

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.

By

Four CREF Grants Help Schools Build a Better Future

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (January 4, 2023) –

As part of its ongoing efforts to build a better tomorrow for the collision repair industry by supporting collision schools and students, the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is proud to announce that four programs will receive substantial financial assistance in the form of the Foundation’s 2022 Benchmark Grants. Each school was selected for its efforts in a unique category respective to the program.

“Collision repair programs and those that move them forward are the first line to supplying the industry’s future workforce and have an important voice,” insists CREF Director of Marketing and Project Management Amber Ritter. “The Benchmark Grant allows CREF to harness the knowledge and voice of the front line who support entry level talent in our industry. There are so many opportunities to build and innovate and we are excited to be able to be a part of the journey.”

In the Employment category, a $25,000 grant was awarded to Warren Tech (Lakewood, CO) to support the school’s efforts to bridge the gap between education and employment. The Wildcard grant for $25,000 was bestowed upon Chippewa Valley Technical College (Eau Claire, WI) for its innovative approach to collision education.

A $10,000 grant was awarded to Lockhart High School (Lockhart, TX) to fund the tools and equipment needed to help the school reach the next tier, and a $2,000 grant given to Kootenai Technical Education Campus (Rathdrum, ID) to aid with maintaining the program.

Eligibility for these awards was achieved by applying for the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s 2022 Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark Grant. The Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark Grants recognize schools that excel at educating students in collision repair, but due to strained school budgets, the programs require additional financial assistance. Recipient schools use these funds to provide the tools, equipment and supplies necessary to enhance their students’ learning experience and elevate the caliber of their graduates, ensuring that graduates are prepared to successfully enter the workforce upon graduation. Applications for the 2023 Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark Grants will be available online in Spring 2023.

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.