Current Events/News: I-CAR Press Releases: 1998 Press Releases
August 31, 1998
GOLD CLASS PROGRAM TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES FOR 1999 IN US
(Rolling Meadows, IL) Several changes will be made to the Gold Class Professionals, program in the US for 1999. After careful consideration, and input from the Gold Class Steering Committee, I-CAR has decided to implement the following changes to the Gold Class program in the US, effective January 1, 1999:
I-CAR, will sunset courses where the content has changed by 40% or more. This decision was made because Students who have taken these courses are in need of updated training. For 1999, this policy will affect the old Nine-Part Unibody course (010 OLD) and old Plastic Repair course (040 PLA). Effective January 1, 1999, these courses will be sunsetted, and Students who have taken these courses will not be allowed to apply them towards Gold Class.
All new applicants to the Gold Class Professionals program will have to meet these requirements to qualify for Gold Class. All renewing applicants will have a one-year grace period to update their training. Therefore, on January 1, 2000 all new and renewing businesses cannot apply the Old Nine-Part Unibody course and old Plastic Repair course towards Gold Class.
Also effective in the US January 1, 1999, helper and apprentice positions will be required to have I-CAR Training. This decision was made because helpers and apprentices are involved in the collision repair process and should be required to have such training. Helper and apprentice positions will be required to obtain 50% of the points required for the position they are assisting. The points required for helper and apprentice positions will be as follows:
Within a collision repair business, a combination technician helper will be required to obtain seven Gold Class points, collision repair technician helper six points, alignment and mechanical repair technician helper six points, and refinish technician helper three points. Within a glass business, an installer helper will be required to obtain one Gold Class point. Within a recycler business, a dismantler helper will be required to obtain four points.
Helper and apprentice positions for all new applicants to the program will be required to meet these point requirements for the business to qualify for Gold Class. Helper and apprentice positions for all renewing applicants will have a one-year grace period to obtain the necessary I-CAR Training. Therefore, on January 1, 2000 helper and apprentice positions for all new and renewing applicants will be required to have the necessary I-CAR Training to qualify for Gold Class.
In the US, a business will be required to obtain 80% of their total point requirements, and the individual point requirements for 1999 will remain at 40%. Verification of employment, in addition to the Gold Class program application, will again be required for 1999. The following documents will be accepted as verification of employment (minus salary or financial information): Quarterly Wage ReportStatement of Tax Deposits and FilingsWage and Tax RegisterEmployee Earnings RecordW-2'sUnemployment Record
"A Gold Class business represents a business that is dedicated to continuous education and up-to-date training," said Dave Heckeler, I-CAR Director of Marketing and Field Operations. "These changes are vital to the integrity of the program and will help ensure consumers that Gold Class businesses have the knowledge to repair their collision-damaged vehicles."
Please note that these changes are for the US only. I-CAR Canada program changes will be communicated separately.
For questions about the 1999 Gold Class program requirements, call I-CAR Customer Care at 800.422.7872 (800.422.7872) in the US and 1-800-565-ICAR (1-800-565-4227) in Canada.
I-CAR, founded in 1979, is an international, not-for-profit, training organization dedicated to improving the quality, safety, and efficiency of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of consumers.
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Page Last Revised: Friday, January 26, 2001
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