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Article Courtesy of Collision Repair Education Foundation
“Hoffman Estates, IL – August 17, 2010– The I-CAR Education Foundation has announced a brand new program for collision career and technical schools and colleges. Starting this fall, all secondary and post-secondary technical schools and colleges that have a collision repair program will be invited to complete a “Collision Repair School Solutions” survey. The Education Foundation will use the results to track general program information, key academic performance indicators, and program needs for new tool and equipment to train the students.As an incentive to complete the survey, Mitchell International has made an unlimited donation of their RepairCenter with TechAdvisor and Ultramate Basic software to collision repair school programs. These products, valued up to $2,500 per multiple-user license, will serve as an excellent teaching tool for instructors, and give students experience navigating the same systems that are used in collision repair businesses today. Depending on the number of schools that complete the survey, Mitchell International’s annual donation could exceed $600,000.
“The Collision Repair School Solutions survey is designed to look closely at the state of collision education and identify areas where we can help,” said Scott Kruger, Executive Director of the I-CAR Education Foundation. “Everyone knows that technical education in this country needs support, but it has been difficult to draw a direct line between donations and better performance in the collision industry. This survey will provide the data to not only track historical trends, but also to see if we are actually helping schools and meeting our organizational goals.”
The I-CAR Education Foundation is currently working with other information solutions, systems, and software providers, including independent providers and OEMs, to offer their repair and estimating information systems to collision repair schools. Schools will be required to retake the survey on an annual basis in order to renew their subscription to the Mitchell software and any other software licenses.
“Mitchell’s gift is both extremely generous and the catalyst to creating real change for the better within our collision repair schools,” added Kruger. “Both of our organizations are very excited to see how students will benefit from having this information in hand and the creative ways educators will use the system in the classroom and on the shop floor.”
In addition to the pledge of their software products, Mitchell International has also pledged $10,000 to the Collision Repair Education Campaign, and has donated several reconditioned laptops to be distributed to collision repair schools and students.
The questions on the “Collision Repair School Solutions” survey were designed to provide the Education Foundation with important information about collision school enrollment, placement, personnel, facilities, and equipment, and will help the Education Foundation create metrics in which to measure the success of the collision education system going forward. In addition, the survey will gather information from schools on their individual, specific needs so that the Education Foundation can approach potential industry donors with these specific needs in mind.”
Check back for more collision repair training and news. If you are a collision repair instructor or student, be sure to visit our contest tab above to enter to win the 3M Accuspray contest.
Collision Blast would also like to thank 3M, the Collision Repair Education Foundation and Mitchell International for the support that they provide to the collision repair technical schools.
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I-CAR Education Foundation Changes Its Name
For almost 2o years the I-CAR Education Foundation has been supporting the collision repair technical schools and college programs with curriculum, scholarships and grants. As they continue to focus on supporting the education programs, they will change its name to Collision Repair Education Foundation at NACE 2010.
3M Launches 3M Collision Repair Solutions Facebook Page
3m has recently launched a new Facebook page for the collision repair industry. There you can keep up with the latest products and videos demonstrating how to properly use them. You can like their page at http://www.facebook.com/3MCollision Below is a video on the 3M Dirt Trap System
ABRN How-To – How To Apply Primer Sealer and Paint
This ABRN How-To Tip is brought to you by Butler Community College. This video demonstrates how to spray primer sealer and base coat to a prepped OEM fender.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R2T6EeAfqk[/youtube]
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Reminder about I-CAR Education Foundation’s Ultimate Collision Education Makeover
You can “Fuel the Future” of the collision industry by potentially receiving a $50,000 upgrade to your collision program through the I-CAR® Education Foundation’s “Ultimate Collision Education Makeover” grant.
The I-CAR Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, whose goal is to fuel the future of the industry by enriching opportunities for students in collision education. The Education Foundation exists solely on donations from the entire collision industry, from large insurance companies to local one-location collision repair shops all over North America. Our donation program, the “Collision Repair Education Campaign,” collects these donations and redistributes them in the form of grants and scholarships to collision repair schools, students, and instructors.
Our goal with the “Ultimate Collision Education Makeover” grant is to honor a school that has been doing an outstanding job educating students in collision repair, but needs some financial assistance to improve their program’s materials and equipment. With school budgets usually never large enough, we are honored to have the opportunity to bridge the program’s financial gap and to really make a difference in the lives of the students studying collision repair.
Any not-for-profit or public school with a collision program is eligible for this grant. The school chosen as the winner for this grant will be able to purchase and/or receive equipment and supplies valued at up to $50,000. A list of what the school is requesting through this grant is required as an attachment to the application.
The “Ultimate Collision Education Makeover” grant debuted in 2009 when Steel Center Area Vocational Technical School (Jefferson Hills, PA) was chosen as the recipient of the award.
If you are asking, “Why should I apply if there is only one winner?”, consider the fact that the 35 other schools that applied for the 2009 award but did not win the top prize have received $130,000+ in donated supplies and equipment, as the Foundation used the $50,000 “wish lists” in the applications to match up donations from industry supporters.
The application can be found by clicking here. It must be printed from the web site and mailed back to the I-CAR Education Foundation with the appropriate signatures and attachments. The postmark deadline is September 7, 2010.
If you have any questions about the grant, please contact me at 888.722.3787, Ext. 282.
We are proud to be able to offer this “Ultimate Collision Education Makeover” grant and we look forward to receiving your application.
Best Regards,
Melissa Marscin
I-CAR Education Foundation
Assistant Director of Grant Programs
888.722.3787, Ext. 282
INDUSTRY INVITED TO JOIN I-CAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION FOR 2009 MAKEOVER WINNING SCHOOL RIBBON CUTTING
HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – August 5, 2010 – Industry professionals are invited to join Steel Center Area Vocational Technical School in Jefferson Hills, PA and the I-CAR Education Foundation the afternoon of Thursday, September 9th for a ribbon cutting ceremony in celebration of the school winning the first annual Ultimate Collision Education Makeover $50,000 school grant. On display during the event will be the tools, equipment, supplies, and other items that the school obtained through the grant. The event will include presentations from school administration and I-CAR Education Foundation staff, meet and greet with students, tours of the facility, and an evening dinner reception.
The goal of the Ultimate Collision Education Makeover program is to honor a school that has been doing an outstanding job in educating students in collision repair, but is in need of financial assistance to improve their program’s teaching materials and equipment. As the winning school, Steel Center AVTS was able to select $50,000 in supplies, tools, and equipment needed specifically for their collision program, thereby making a difference in the education of the students studying collision repair.
The I-CAR Education Foundation would like to officially recognize the following industry companies who supported the 2009 Ultimate Collision Education Makeover grant program: 3M; Airgas, Inc.; ALLDATA; BASF Corporation; BECCA; Chicago Pneumatic; Chief Automotive Technologies; Col-Met; Crest Industries; DeVilbiss Automotive Refinishing; FinishMaster; Goff’s Enterprises; Gorilla Glue; I-CAR; International Epoxies & Sealers; The Lincoln Electric Company; Mac Tools; Miller Electric; Mitchell International; Motor Guard; PPG Automotive Refinishes; Sherwin Williams Automotive Refinishes; Sperian Protection; Sterling Autobody Centers; TOONA Automotive Paint & Equipment; and Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A, Inc.
I-CAR Education Foundation Executive Director Scott Kruger added, “I would like to again congratulate Steel Center AVTS and collision instructor Jim Fichera on winning the first annual Education Foundation Makeover grant. It has been an absolute pleasure working with Jim over the past several months in fulfilling his $50,000 wish list for his collision program and we are excited to join Jim in having the upgraded facility on display in September.
I invite all industry members to join us at the school for the ribbon cutting not only to see the newly enhanced collision program, but to also meet the students whose collision education will be impacted by this grant. The Foundation looks forward to awarding another Makeover grant this fall during SEMA. It is only through the industry’s support of the Foundation that these types of grants are possible.”
Those interested in attending the ribbon cutting ceremony are asked to RSVP by contacting I-CAR Education Foundation Assistant Director of Grant Programs Melissa Marscin at Melissa.Marscin@ed-foundation.org.
The I-CAR Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to securing donations that support philanthropic and collision repair education activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry.
Why Choose Collision Repair As a Career and What to Look For in a School
Why Choose Collision Repair As a Career and What to Look For in a School
By Donnie A Smith
Why choose collision repair as a career pathway?
Hands-on: Why should your job be boring and dreadful? You can earn income doing the things you like to do. If you’re someone that likes working with your hands, a high-tech environment and you enjoy being able to step back and see the results of your work; then collision repair may be a good fit for you.
High income potential: I-Car Education Foundation completed a survey, showing the average income that a collision repair technician earns. You may be surprised that the average income of $51,312 is higher then many other comparable trades. In fact, the top 10% earn $88,460. Although, just like with any career, you shouldn’t expect this your first year on the job. These are the incomes you can expect to make with experience and commitment.
Job Security: As roads and highways become more populated with vehicles, the results are more auto accidents. Unfortunately, the automotive industry is not finding enough trained technicians to properly repair these modern day vehicles. This means job security for you.
Work will never be outsourced: Think about it! Could you imagine a damaged vehicle being loaded on a ship, taken overseas, repaired, and shipped back to the customer…it’s not going to happen. We need trained collision and paint technicians right here in the United States, in every state and every city to repair our cars. As a technician, you will never have to worry about your job being outsourced.
What are some of the things to consider when choosing a school to attend?
NATEF certified: Make sure the school is a National Automotive Technician Education Foundation (NATEF) accredited. This gives you peace of mind knowing that the school has met the NATEF standards and is a quality school. NATEF is national recognized in the automotive industry and will give you a competitive edge, when you pursue a job. In order to be NATEF accredited, all instructors must be Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified to teach. This means that you will have competent instructors to ensure your success in the future.
I-Car affiliation: Make sure the school is affiliated with I-Car. I-Car is an organization that helps the collision industry with on-going training. They provide training to technicians already on the job and they provide curriculum and support to colleges and technical schools to prepare students for the world-of-work. I-Car is known throughout the collision industry and will give your potential employer another perk to hire you.
Where do I find a school like this and how do I enroll?
1. Call the school to set up a time you can visit with them and ask to tour the collision repair program.
2. Is the collision program accredited? If so, who are they accredited through?
3. Are they affiliated with I-Car and what curriculum do they use?
4. Ask if one of the program instructors are available to speak with. You can ask them program specific questions. This will give you a better feel of the program and the instructors.
5. What is their student per instructor ratio?
6. Find out what requirements, tools, tuition,and fees are required.
7. Have them explain the difference between a certificate and an associates degree. (some technical schools do not offer associates degrees)
8. Does the college have any articulation agreements with any other schools, which allows the student to transfer into a four-year university?
9. Once you feel you have made the correct decision, ask them to direct you to an advisor. The advisor will walk you through the steps to get you enrolled.
I am the lead collision repair instructor for a community college. I invite you to my free online training to learn how to perform car paint jobs. There you will learn more about the collision repair as a career or learn enough to do it as a hobby.
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