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Current Events/News: E-newsletter: 2007 Archives
INTERNATIONAL NEWS:

I-CAR AND COLLISION REVISION, INC. ANNOUNCE GOLD CLASS PROFESSIONALS INITIATIVE

Collision Revision, Inc. has announced a new training initiative to earn the I-CAR Gold Class Professionals designation for all 26 locations throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Florida.

Collision Revision, Inc. employs 460 employees with approximately 300 technicians, all of whom will take training to reach this end goal. The Gold Class Professionals program requires 5 points of tested training per employee to qualify, which equates to 20 hours of tested training per employee.

"Collision Revision is pleased to enter into this training relationship with I-CAR," said Jim Colbert, President of Collision Revision, Inc.’s Automotive Repair Division. “With this training initiative, Collision Revision will increase the overall standard of the industry and continue to utilize proper training for our technicians.”

"I-CAR would like to commend Collision Revision, Inc. for taking this important step," states Jeff Peevy, I-CAR Director of Field Operations. "Our field staff looks forward to working closely with Collision Revision, Inc. to assist them in reaching their training goals."

More information about Collision Revision, Inc. can be found at www.collisionrevision.com. Details on the Gold Class Professionals program are located at www.i-car.com/goldclass.

I-CAR ANNOUNCES FALL / WINTER 2007 MQT TOUR - PRE-REGISTER TODAY

To provide industry professionals the opportunity to complete the industry recognized I-CAR Qualification Tests, the I-CAR Mobile Qualification Test (MQT) trucks will be visiting cities around the United States and Canada this upcoming fall and winter.

Available student spots in currently scheduled Qualification Tests are filling up quickly and industry professionals interested in completing a Qualification Test during one of the dates below are encouraged to send their contact information to mqtinfo@i-car.com right away to secure a seat. Pre-registrations will be taken on a first come, first serve basis!

Week Of City, State/Province
11/5 Los Angeles, CA / San Diego, CA / Kansas City, MO / Nashville, TN / Buffalo, NY / Windsor, ON / Antigo, WI
11/12 Atlanta, GA / Syracuse, NY / San Jose, CA / Little Rock, AR / Davenport, IA
11/19 Kingston, ON
11/26 Miami, FL / Butler, PA / Youngstown, OH / Salt Lake City, UT / Columbus, OH / Austin, TX / Bismark, ND
12/3 Sioux Falls, SD / St. Catharines, ON / Jacksonville, FL / Cincinnati, OH / Grand Junction, CO / New Orleans, LA
12/10 Irving, TX / Charleston, WV
12/17 Pocatello, ID / London, ON / Washington, DC / Pensacola, FL / Springfield, IL / Shreveport, LA / Colorado Springs, CO

Dates and locations are subject to change. Facilities interested in hosting the MQT truck in one of the cities listed above, also contact mqtinfo@i-car.com. The MQT trucks administer all three I-CAR Qualification Tests: Automotive Aluminum GMA (MIG) Welding, Automotive Steel GMA (MIG) Welding, and Structural Parts Steel.

I-CAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION & COLLISION INDUSTRY FOUNDATION JOIN FORCES FOR "KEYS TO SPEED" CAMPAIGN

I-CAR Education FoundationThe I-CAR Education Foundation and the Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) have joined forces for the 2007 “Keys to Speed” fundraising campaign to benefit charitable and educational programs and services. Keystone Automotive has donated the grand prize, a 1957 Speedster reproduction and will be selling “Keys to Speed” tickets through October 22 at all participating Keystone locations. The grand prize drawing will take place at Keystone’s 60th anniversary party on November 1 in Las Vegas, NV.

“It is important that we all work together to provide the best programs and services to the industry,” said Doug Webb, President of the Collision Industry Foundation. “This fundraiser is an industry-wide effort.”

Added Ron Ray, Executive Director of the I-CAR Education Foundation: “This campaign would not be possible without Keystone’s generous donation.  Keystone has been a long-time supporter of both the I-CAR Education Foundation and CIF and, as always, we appreciate their enthusiasm and commitment.”

“Keys to Speed” tickets are available for $5.00 each or 5 tickets for $20.00. The grand prize 1957 Speedster reproduction will be made by JPS Motorsports in North Hollywood, CA.  For more information on JPS Motorsports, go to http://www.jps-motorsports.com.

Keys to Speed Flyer (358K) in Adobe Acrobat Format

About the Collision Industry Foundation

The Collision Industry Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable foundation that supports charitable programs and activities of interest to the collision repair industry. For more information, please call (804) 427-6982 or visit www.collisionindustryfoundation.org.

For more information on the I-CAR Education Foundation, go to www.ed-foundation.org.

ANNOUNCING NEW I-CAR CUSTOMER CARE HOURS FOR GREATER SERVICE TO THE INDUSTRY

I-CAR Customer Care Specialists are now available to the industry from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday – Friday Central Daylight Time (CDT). As I-CAR continues to expand its offerings of products and services to the industry, it is crucial that the Customer Care team is available to provide the necessary support to the industry across all North American times zones and to I-CAR Field Staff, Program Instructors, and Volunteers Committees.

As I-CAR moves into this new phase of optimal service with expanded hours, Customer Care Specialists are also proactively reaching out to customers in order to meet the growing training needs of I-CAR Gold Class Professionals designated businesses, Platinum Individual designees, and other industry professionals.

The I-CAR Customer Care team is here to help all in need of I-CAR assistance and industry professionals are encouraged to contact the specialists with questions about:

  • Registering for an I-CAR Live class or Qualification Test
  • Obtaining additional information about Online Training
  • Your business hosting the Mobile Qualification Test program
  • You obtaining the I-CAR Platinum Individual designation
  • Your business obtaining the I-CAR Gold Class Professionals designation
  • Your training transcript or certificates
  • Or contact I-CAR about your specific collision repair training needs

Please contact the I-CAR Customer Care team at 800.422.7872 or customercare@i-car.com today!

ADHESIVE BONDING (ADH01) - AVAILABLE DURING NACE 2007

Planning to attend NACE 2007? Why not take advantage of the available I-CAR training at NACE at a reduced rate? I-CAR will be conducting nine of their training programs this year at NACE 2007, which will be held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada from November 1-3, 2007. The programs will be offered at a reduced rate of $75 (US) for each four-hour program.

One of the available I-CAR training programs is Adhesive Bonding (ADH01) on Wednesday, October 31, 1-5 p.m.

Topics that will be covered during this program include:

  • Removing Panels and Flange Cleaning
  • Preparing Adhesive for Application
  • Using Adhesives for Panel Attachment
  • Understanding Working Times and Cure Times

A full schedule of I-CAR training programs at NACE and registration information is available online now. Register today and enhance your professional skills through I-CAR training!

THE I-CAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION RELEASES 2007 SNAPSHOT OF THE COLLISION INDUSTRY SURVEY

I-CAR Education FoundationThe I-CAR Education Foundation has released its 2007 Snapshot of the Collision Industry Survey. Previous surveys conducted every three years since 1995 confirmed the need for a continual supply of entry-level technicians, while also identifying changes to collision repair business operations and the technician workforce. The 2007 survey was commissioned to verify earlier data and to monitor trends.

A random sample of 4,001 collision repair facilities from all 50 states was selected by an independent information provider. Replies were solicited by both direct mail and personal phone calls in the same manner as previous surveys. Valid responses were received from eight percent of the sample and represent a good cross section of the industry.  Survey questions focused on crucial information about the collision industry, such as average incomes, benefits, technician turnover, technical training programs, and opportunities in the industry.

“The 2007 survey showed a sharp increase in the percentage of new technicians hired from a career or technical school or college,” states I-CAR Education Foundation Executive Director Ron Ray. “Over 47 percent of entry-level technicians hired in the previous 12 months had pre-employment training, a significant benefit to businesses in the industry. However, the percentage of technicians who left the trade has returned to the high end of its historic range at just over 11 percent, creating an increased demand for entry-level technicians since the last survey in 2004.”

A four page executive summary of the 2007 Snapshot of the Collision Industry Survey can be downloaded free from the I-CAR Education Foundation web site in PDF format at www.ed-foundation.org by clicking on “Forms and Downloads.”  To request quantities of the printed document for career days, job fairs, or other recruiting events, please contact the Education Foundation at 888.722.3787, Ext. 282.

The I-CAR Education Foundation would like to thank Allstate Insurance Company for supporting and sponsoring the survey.

THE I-CAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION RELEASES UPDATED RECRUITING DVD

I-CAR Education FoundationThe I-CAR Education Foundation has released an updated version of the Smart Jobs Smart People recruiting DVD designed to explain the satisfying and rewarding careers opportunities in the collision industry. The video is ideal for presentations to any audience: career days at local schools, civic group meetings, PTA and community groups, or any other youth or adult gathering.

“The new Smart Jobs Smart People DVD contains footage that adds excitement and entertainment to catch the attention of students while still portraying the collision repair and refinish process as a career opportunity,” added Ron Ray, Executive Director of the I-CAR Education Foundation. “Also new are student interviews that provide a unique perspective of why they have chosen this career, which should appeal to their peers.”  

The Smart Jobs Smart People DVD shows the collision repair process after an automobile accident and explores career opportunities of the people involved in restoring the vehicle to its pre-accident condition.  The DVD also discusses some of the skills and training that are needed to be successful in each of these careers.

In addition to the updated Smart Jobs Smart People DVD, the Education Foundation will be releasing new promotional items during the upcoming school year. Please call the Education Foundation at 888.722.3787, Ext. 282 to obtain your copy of the Smart Jobs Smart People DVD or to receive more information about other complimentary promotional items.

I-CAR, ASE, I-CAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION, AND NATEF TO HOLD DRAWING FOR SNAP-ON TOOL BOX AT NACE 2007

For the fourth year in a row, I-CAR, ASE, I-CAR Education Foundation, and NATEF will co-sponsor a drawing at NACE; this year’s contest winner will be awarded a Snap-on toolbox. To be eligible to win the toolbox, entrants must be I-CAR trained as well as ASE-certified, or attend an ASE-certified NATEF career and technical school or college which also utilizes the I-CAR Live curriculum.

To participate in this promotion, eligible attendees can visit one of the participating organization’s booths and fill out a registration form. The winner will then be randomly selected at the conclusion of Saturday’s NACE exposition day and notified via phone.

NACE attendees can find these industry partners at:

  • ASE – NACE booth # 2636
  • I-CAR – NACE booth # 8423
  • I-CAR Education Foundation – NACE booth # 8431
  • NATEF – NACE booth # 2642

For more information regarding NACE visit www.naceexpo.com or call 888.529.1641.

I-CAR, ASE, I-CAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION, AND NATEF TO HOLD DRAWING FOR CAR-O-LINER ALUMINUM STUD WELDER AT NACE 2007

For the fourth year in a row, I-CAR, ASE, I-CAR Education Foundation, and NATEF will co-sponsor a drawing at NACE; this year’s contest winner will be awarded a Car-O-Liner CR-55 Aluminum Stud Welder/ Dent Repair System. To be eligible to win the welder, entrants must be I-CAR trained as well as ASE-certified, or attend an ASE-certified NATEF career and technical school or college which also utilizes the I-CAR Live curriculum.

“Car-O-Liner and its Training Academy have always endorsed on-going training and technician certification globally. With today’s complex vehicle designs, on-board computers, and the exotic metals used to produce them, technicians now more than ever need to keep up to date.  These trends will continue to increase and demand more training and certification”, states Jeffery Kern, President, North American Operations.  “We are pleased to participate along with I-CAR, ASE, NATEF, and the I-CAR Education Foundation.”

To participate in this promotion, eligible attendees can visit one of the participating organization’s booths and fill out a registration form. The winner will then be randomly selected at the conclusion of Saturday’s NACE exposition day and notified via phone.

NACE attendees can find these industry partners at:

  • ASE – NACE booth # 2636
  • I-CAR – NACE booth # 8423
  • I-CAR Education Foundation – NACE booth # 8431
  • NATEF – NACE booth # 2642
  • Car-O-Liner Company  - NACE booth #3567

For more information regarding NACE visit www.naceexpo.com or call 888.529.1641.



INTERNATIONAL NEWS:

I-CAR HOSTS PILOT FOR NEW CANADIAN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SERVICE (CARS) DELIVERY

A pilot will take place to determine whether I-CAR will utilize CARS new Interactive Distance Learning (IDL) On Demand to teach I-CAR training programs. As of June 30, CARS abandoned the satellite delivery also known as CollisionTV in Canada in search of another method to deliver collision repair training. “IDL on Demand” offers 24/7 training accessible to the collision industry anywhere there is high-speed internet access.

The pilot takes place this fall and will be “invitation only” open to collision industry partners.

Learn more about CARS and Interactive Distance Learning (IDL) On Demand online.

I-CAR AUSTRALIA WEB SITE LAUNCHES IN CONJUNCTION WITH GLOBAL SITE UPDATE

After several months of redevelopment, I-CAR Australia announces the launch of the new updated I-CAR Australia web site.

I-CAR Australia CEO Richard Pratt said, “The site follows the format of the new “global” look that I-CAR has developed as part of its international focus. The previous site contained a lot of information which was exclusively American and we’ve worked long and hard on revising the content to include only the information that applies to the organisation here.”

During his recent visit to America, Mr. Pratt met with web site developers.  The result is a truly global site that is much cleaner and easier to navigate.

“The International home page features a world map and by clicking on the country you are in, you’ll be automatically directed to that country’s portal,” commented Mr. Pratt. With a presence in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, and the possibility of further expansion, the site will provide a secure base for the future.”

Visit the I-CAR Australia site at www.i-car.com.au.

The Australian organisation is now working hard to establish relationships with local vehicle manufacturers so technical information on local models can be included. Ongoing editing of the site will be undertaken by local staff.

INDUSTRY REACTS POSITVELY TO GMH COLLISION REPAIR CD IN AUSTRALIA

Released earlier this year by General Motors Holden, the CD gives detailed information on the manufacturer’s recommendation for repair of the new MY07Commodore VE and its MY07 WM Statesman derivative. This initiative by a local manufacturer is welcomed by all sections of the industry. The disc provides comprehensive detail on the repair process. Despite the release of the information, some collision repairers and others within the industry appear to be unaware of its presence. The disc can be ordered from your local Holden dealer. The Part No. is 95710046.

FIRST PLATINIUM INDIVIDUAL DESIGNATION IN AUSTRALIA DUE OUT SOON

Gold ClassThe Platinum Individual program was created to recognize individuals in the collision industry for achieving a high level of technical training through I-CAR and Industry Training Alliance members. I-CAR training commenced in Australia in early 2005, and has continued through 2006-07. As a result, a number of Australian collision repairers have already reached the stage of accumulating the 10 tested points, which entitles them to earn the Platinum Individual designation. Australia I-CAR students earned points by completing Live training, training with Industry training Alliance partners, and for the completion of Qualification Testing at NACE, as I-CAR Qualification Tests are not currently available in Australia.

HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY SHARES INFORMATION WITH I-CAR AUSTRALIA

Recent meetings between Hyundai Motor Company Australia and I-CAR Australia CEO Richard Pratt have resulted in Hyundai providing a disc containing complete body repair manuals for its range of vehicles including NF Sonata, TG Grandeur, CM Santa Fe, TB Getz, JM Tucson, and MC Accent. The HD Elantra was not included due to some omissions in the manual. In the General Information section of the manual Hyundai states “the I-CAR welding recommendations should be followed.” This relationship continues to reinforce the belief the manufacturers have in I-CAR, and its ability to provide ongoing training and advice on the correct method of repair.

TRAINING FOR AUSTRALIA IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER NEARLY FINAL

To be delivered across some 10 venues, the last two courses for 2007, Electric and Electric Hybrid Vehicles (ALT01) and Steering and Suspension Damage Analysis (DAM06) will complete a fairly intense year of training down under and Restraints (RES01) is currently being delivered.

2008 will commence with a brand new course developed in conjunction with the American Iron and Steel Institute. The Advanced High Strength Steels course will contain the most up to date information on the most controversial technology change in recent years. If like most others, you’ve been waiting for this information. Watch the I-CAR Australia web site for more information.

A full schedule of courses for the remainder of 2007 as well as the 2008 schedule will be posted on the web site in coming weeks.

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Page Last Revised: Monday, October 1, 2007
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