• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Collision Repair Education Foundation

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • E-News
  • Find a School
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Mission and Vision
    • Our History
    • Our Goals
    • Our Relationship with I-CAR
    • Our Leadership
    • Our Staff
    • Governance Information
  • Students
    • How We Can Help You
    • Discover Collision Careers
    • Art Meets Automotive Contest
    • Career Fairs
    • Student Scholarship and Grant Application
    • Student Resume Database
    • Career Preparation
  • Schools
    • Strengthen Your Program
    • School Grant Opportunities
    • Collision Repair Education Foundation Benchmark Grant
    • Foundation Merchandise
    • Student Technician Shirt Project
    • Collision Repair Schools Solutions Survey
    • Forms and Downloads
  • Supporters
    • Who are our supporters?
    • Industry Leadership Circle
    • Honor Roll of Donors
    • 3M Hire Our Heroes
  • Get Involved
    • Invest In Our Shared Future
    • Directed-Purpose Gifts
    • Gifts-In-Kind
    • Transportation Career Fairs
    • Volunteers and Committees
  • News & Events
    • Career Fairs
    • Collision Repair Education Foundation’s 2022 Annual Summer Golf Fundraiser
    • Press Releases
    • eNewsletter
    • Photo Album

Our Goals

A Critical Shortage

Every year, more than 21,500 collision repair technicians leave the industry, a trend that has increased steadily since 1995. An additional 31,000 technicians leave their current employers for another job within the industry. The average age of collision repair technicians is 38.7, compared with 35.5 in 1995, and more than a quarter of the existing workforce plan to either retire or change jobs in the next 12 months.

These numbers add up to a critical shortage for the collision industry. Even with 80,000 young people enrolled in collision repair classes, there will not be enough qualified graduates to meet growing labor demands. Collision repair training programs graduate only 10 to 15% of their students, which means that only 10,000 of those currently enrolled will achieve a certificate, associate degree, or other formal designation. This year alone, over half of the collision industry hiring needs will be unmet, leaving managers to hire first-time workers with minimal or no training.

Attracting and Supporting the Best Students

For young men and women deciding their lives’ direction, the Collision Repair Education Foundation builds awareness of collision industry career opportunities within local schools and communities. Our goal is to offer scholarships, grants and additional educational support that will inspire young people to pursue career options in the collision industry. Our scholarships and grants also remove financial barriers to education; promote opportunities for a diverse workforce; and reward dedication, achievement and passion for their trade.

Collaborating with Local Communities to Provide the Best Training

While we are a nationwide industry, we recognize that our business partners draw talent from local communities. Therefore, our goal is to ensure that there is a top-tier collision school in every market in America. These programs have the newest tools, equipment, and supplies to enhance the educational experience, giving students the necessary skills and experience with current repair technology taught in a realistic, practical environment. Collision repair businesses are then able to hire them as well-trained, productive, and efficient employees from day one on the job.

Primary Sidebar

Tags

Benchmark Grant Career Fair Career Fairs CCC Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark Donations Fundraisers Gerber Hire Our Heroes I-CAR Committees Nominations Resume Database Scholarships Student of the Year TopGolf Top Tech Competition Vehicle Donation

Latest Posts

  • Toyota Auto Body California Donates Nearly 1,000 Quarter Panels to Collision Students Through CREF May 25, 2022
  • 2009 CREF Scholarship Winner Pays It Forward May 10, 2022
  • Our Mission is to support collision repair educational programs, schools, and students. April 20, 2022
  • Learn about the four key areas to land your dream job in Collision Repair! April 20, 2022
  • The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) will be hosting its’ annual summer golf fundraiser, co-hosted by PPG Automotive. April 20, 2022

Footer

Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

About the Foundation


The Collision Repair Education Foundation is a national nonprofit and tax-exempt student organization under the Internal Revenue Service Code, Section (501)(c)(3).

Donor Privacy Policy

Discrimination Policy

Equity Statement

ADDRESS:
Collision Repair Education Foundation
5125 Trillium Blvd.
Hoffman Estates, IL 60192

PHONE: 888.722.3787
Email: info@ed-foundation.org

Recent Posts

  • Toyota Auto Body California Donates Nearly 1,000 Quarter Panels to Collision Students Through CREF
  • 2009 CREF Scholarship Winner Pays It Forward
  • Our Mission is to support collision repair educational programs, schools, and students.
  • Learn about the four key areas to land your dream job in Collision Repair!
  • The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) will be hosting its’ annual summer golf fundraiser, co-hosted by PPG Automotive.
  • Houston I-CAR Committee “Adopts” Kingwood Park High School
  • Software for Students: Audatex, CCC and Mitchell Provide 500+ Collision Schools with Free Subscriptions Through CREF

FIND A SCHOOL NEAR YOU

Search

Copyright © 2022 · Collision Repair Education Foundation · Log in