Collision Repair Training | United States
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
Current Events/News: E-newsletter: 2006 Archives
|
||||||||||||||
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE COLLISION INDUSTRY: CAREER AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES NEED YOUR SUPPORTThe following open letter to the collision industry from Clark Plucinski, Chairman of the I-CAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees, details the industry support necessary to avoid a cut in funding for career education programs in the proposed 2007 Fiscal Year Federal Budget: CAREER AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES NEED YOUR SUPPORT
The President’s 2007 Fiscal Year Federal Budget proposal once again seeks to eliminate funding for vocational education. If this funding for career and technical education programs is eliminated, valuable training that starts young people on the path to a rewarding career in this industry will be in jeopardy. As you know, career and technical education programs are critical to the success of the collision industry and the necessary service we provide to millions of motorists. Each year, thousands of graduates from career and technical education programs find employment in our industry, in high-paying careers. Also, technical training curriculum provided by the I-CAR Education Foundation is recognized for college credit by academic institutions across the country, providing many high school students a head start in the pursuit of a higher education at both two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Research conducted by the I-CAR Education Foundation in 2004 showed that 36.7 percent of new technicians hired by collision repair facilities were hired from a career or technical school or college. If these programs are eliminated due to a lack of funding, consumers will suffer due to shortages of technicians that will result in increased prices for repairs and automobile insurance. Automotive collision career educational programs teach rigorous academics, and have long been recognized as an essential part of preparing people for careers in the collision and insurance industries. My business partner and I both participated in vocational education and are examples of the opportunities that exist for young people in the collision industry. After graduation from high school I was not ready for college. I quickly found, as did my business partner, that working with my hands was very gratifying and rewarding both personally and financially. Repairing cars allowed me to build a sense of pride and fulfillment. Today, my business partner and I have built a business that employs over 600 people. We operate in four states with 41 locations. This success would not have been possible without the valuable vocational training we both receive. I hope you share my desire to see continued Federal funding for career and technical education continue and agree that it benefits the youth of our nation, our industry and the motoring public. Again, I ask that you take a few minutes to contact your elected representatives and urge them to support continued Federal funding for our young people’s education. Thank you and you’ll be hearing from me again, Clark Plucinski Internet resources to write your representatives:
|
|||||||||||||||
NEW I-CAR VIRTUAL CLASSROOM SCHEDULEI-CAR is pleased to offer live instruction direct through your computer! I-CAR calls this unique delivery system the I-CAR Virtual Classroom. The I-CAR Virtual Classroom offers you:
PRICING I-CAR Virtual Classroom training offers two-hour training sessions which are available to the entire collision industry for $55 US. All purchases must be made using a credit card when pre-registering. For non-US currencies, pricing will be converted at the time of purchase. QUESTIONS? For more information, e-mail virtual.classroom@i-car.com. You may also contact I-CAR customer care at 800.422.7872 or I-CAR South Central Regional Manager Mike Miller.
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
I-CAR QUALIFICATION TESTS...RECOGNIZED BY COLLISION INDUSTRY LEADERS!
Recognized and required by many collision industry leaders, the I-CAR QTs stand alone by allowing industry professionals the ability to demonstrate and enhance their professional skills. Accept no substitutes and pre-register for an I-CAR QT today! Listed below are the collision industry leaders that recognize I-CAR QTs: Have you proven your skills to perform tasks required for proper, efficient, and safe collision repairs? QT Site Locations - Did you know… There are over 100 I-CAR QT sites available in North America! Find one near you! Pre-register for an I-CAR QT today! Looking to advance your professional skills by successfully completing one of the three I-CAR qualification tests (QTs)? Seats are limited and fill up fast. Pre-registration is required to attend any of the I-CAR QTs. Don't get left out - pre-register for an I-CAR QT today! Click on a state/province below to view their full QT training schedule! Find Qualification Tests Located In:
Pre-registration and pre-payment are required for I-CAR QTs. Please contact I-CAR customer care at 800.422.7872 to check availability of QT dates and open seats. Need to view additional test dates or a specific I-CAR region? Visit the QT specific web page and simply enter in your ZIP/postal code to find the most up-to-date class and qualification test schedules!
|
|||||||||||||||
I-CAR PROGRAM INSTRUCTORS REIN IN SKILL AT WELDING RODEO
I-CAR program instructor Tony Harrison and I-CAR Qualification Test Program Manager Audie Swedeen delivered the training and testing for technicians at an Aluminum Welding Rodeo at Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan on April 24-26. Part of the training event included two contests, one recognizing the "Best Vertical Plug Weld" and the other the "Best Overhead Plug Weld." The winner of each contest received a new "auto darkening" welding helmet and a pair of welding gloves. Contest winners include:
Want to harness your welding skills? You to can take the same programs and qualification tests taught and administered at this event. These include:
Or check out additional information on the I-CAR qualification tests online.
|
|||||||||||||||
GOLD CLASS PROFESSIONALS SEE STUDENTS EXCEL AT COMPETITION
"The huge support received this year is proof that Idaho's collision industry and State Farm Insurance are doing their part to help the youth of today become our industry of tomorrow," said Joe Burda, I-CAR program instructor, State Farm Property Claim Trainer, and Boise Collision Repair Technology committee co-chair. The thought was seconded by Bill Zavison also co-chair for the committee. Students were tested in six different aspects of the collision industry: a general industry written exam, estimating, structural analysis, refinishing, metal finishing and conventional metal repair methods, and MIG welding utilizing the I-CAR qualification test standards. 2006 competition winners include:
Collision Repair (Secondary Division)
Collision Repair (Post Secondary Division)
"The benefit is truly two fold, because local I-CAR Gold Class Professionals designated businesses and volunteers care about the collision industry; they build their time and resources into students. Through these efforts, the industry develops a new generation of highly qualified technicians. In return, these students and young professionals have doors of opportunity open to them," said Harold Nevill, SkillsUSA Idaho Representative. SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations, including health occupations. I-CAR Gold Class Professionals designated businesses, other volunteers, and SkillsUSA Idaho organized and directed the event. Staff and management from: Kadel's Auto Body ICR, Larry Miller Dodge, Lithia Ford, Parks Royal Body Works, BASF, Paint & Spray Supply, and State Farm Insurance were also involved. Additional I-CAR Gold Class Professionals designated businesses, supporters and donators to the event included: Parks Westside Body Works and Steelhead Collision. Other Gold Class designated facilities from outside the Boise area included: First Choice Collision Repair, Inc., J&J Auto Body Inc., Jade Auto Clinic, Inc., and Majestic Auto Body. Does your business want to display its commitment to technical training and earn the Gold Class Professionals status? To learn more, visit the I-CAR Gold Class Professionals section online or call customer care at 800.422.7872. |
|||||||||||||||
COLLISION REPAIR STUDENTS AT NORTHEAST WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE (NWTC) RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIPS
At an awards banquet held on March 30, 2006, two students enrolled in the NWTC Auto Collision Repair and Refinish program, received scholarships through the efforts of the I-CAR Tech Centre and the I-CAR Education Foundation. The banquet was held in De Pere, WI and was attended by 500 people. The money for the scholarships was raised at the Inaugural I-CAR Tech Centre Golf outing held last summer at Irish Waters Golf Club in Freedom, WI and the award recipients have been invited as guests to this summer’s outing on August 16, 2006. The scholarships were awarded based on recommendations from NWTC instructors, involvement in the NWTC Collision Repair Club and/or SkillsUSA and a minimum overall 3.0 GPA. This year’s recipients were Dale Petersen and Marcus Jones. Both recipients were presented their award by Jason Bartanen representing the I-CAR Tech Centre. "It is only through the tremendous efforts of local I-CAR committees, volunteers, sponsors, and tournament players that the I-CAR Education Foundation is able to award students at career and technical schools and colleges with financial assistance to complete their education. We are proud to work with the local committees and volunteers to host successful fundraising events and be able to watch a student embark upon a rewarding career in this industry, in part, because of the financial assistance they received through the involvement of industry in support of education," said Ron Ray, Executive Director of the I-CAR Education Foundation. Additional scholarships awarded included the Bay Auto Body Association Scholarship, awarded to Christopher Broeders, and a scholarship award established by NWTC and I-CAR program instructor Mark Blohm for students entering their second year of study in the Auto Collision Repair and Refinish Program. The scholarship recipients awarded this year by Blohm were Joel Tolly and Reese Ellision. If you would like to participate in, or help sponsor the 2nd Annual I-CAR Tech Centre Golf Tournament on August 16, 2006 at Irish Waters in Freedom, WI, please contact Jason Bartanen or Michelle Shotkoski.
|
|||||||||||||||
I-CAR PARTICIPATING IN UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTSI-CAR participates in local industry trade shows on many different levels. Whether it is exhibiting at the events, conducting classes, or providing training material to the attendees, many I-CAR program instructors, committee members, and volunteers utilize these local events to help inform the industry of the latest I-CAR training initiatives. Below are several upcoming events where I-CAR employees and volunteers will be participating: South Central Region - 2006 Texas Committee I-CAR Fest
North Central Region - 5th Annual Collision Industry Awareness Event
Stay tuned to future e-newsletter editions for additional upcoming local trade shows. If your local I-CAR group is participating in a tradeshow and would like to see it promoted in the I-CAR e-newsletter, please contact I-CAR Senior Marketing Communications Specialist Brandon Eckenrode. |
|||||||||||||||
|
Page Last Revised: |
