Collision Repair Education Foundation

Career Fairs

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CREF Invites Collision Industry to Fall 2022 High School & College Transportation Student Career Fairs

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

Aging workforce blues got you down? Worried about who will fill the workforce as older employees retire? Ready to do something about it? The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) invites industry businesses to participate in its Fall 2022 High School & College Transportation Student Career Fairs, being scheduled across the country to provide employers with an opportunity to get to know thousands of incoming industry professionals!

“CREF’s Career Fairs provide a unique opportunity for collision industry employers to connect with hundreds of students who have trained for entry-level positions and are ready to start their careers,” says CREF Program Manager Tiffany Bulak. “Engaging 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 but most importantly, in order to showcase the diverse career paths available to the students in attendance.”

Fall 2022 High School & College Transportation Student Career Fair Schedule

  • October 4: 3M Headquarters (Saint Paul, MN)
  • November 9: Kingwood Park High School (Houston, TX)
  • November 10: Collin College (Dallas, TX)
  • December 6: Suburban Showcase Conference Center (Detroit, MI)

To compliment the physical career fair events and ensure CREF helps connect students with employers across the country, CREF also has an electronic student resume database with 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.

Can’t attend a career fair but still anxious 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 should contact Brandon Eckenrode, Managing Director, at 312-231-0258 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org. 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.

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

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COLLISION REPAIR EDUCATION FOUNDATION TO PARTNER WITH ASE ON CARS, CAREERS & CELEBRITIES EXPO EVENT

750+ COLLISION AND AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR STUDENTS ANTICIPATED IN ATTENDANCE

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – April 14, 2017 – The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is partnering with the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) on the Cars, Careers & Celebrities event being held on September 15, 2017. This is CREF’s third year hosting the event, which last year brought together over 400 high school and college collision students from 10 states. CREF will work with ASE to open the event up to both collision and automotive repair students. Cars, Careers & Celebrities will take place at Chicagoland Speedway (Joliet, Ill.) on Friday, September 15th in conjunction with the first race in The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Hundreds of students from the Midwest and beyond are anticipated to attend. They will have the opportunity to meet industry employers, view product demonstrations, hold initial/mock interviews, potentially meet race car drivers, and more in the Chicagoland Speedway’s hospitality village area. There is no charge for high school and college automotive repair and collision students, instructors, and administrators to attend; however, pre-registration is required.

CREF Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode noted, “This event serves as a great ‘back to school’ kick-off by connecting students with the industry. By collaborating with ASE and inviting both collision and automobile schools, there could be nearly 1,000 students in attendance and this will prove to be a great opportunity for businesses to meet the future professionals of the industry.

“We are excited to join forces with the Collision Repair Education Foundation in reaching out to automotive repair and collision students to spread the word about all of the great opportunities that are available in this industry,” noted Trish Serratore, ASE Senior Vice President and President of NATEF/AYES.

Companies interested in participating in the 2017 event should contact CREF Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org/ 847-463-5244.