News - I-CAR Press Releases 2001

(Rolling Meadows, IL) I-CAR congratulates Patricia Ringer, one of the first women to take and pass I-CAR’s welding qualification test in Kansas. Ringer is currently a student at Wichita Area Technical College and will earn an Associates Degree for Transportation Technology and Auto Collision Repair in June 2001. She is a recipient of the Kansas “Breaking the Traditions” scholarship for her success in collision repair technology courses and also took first place in collision repair at the state competition of SkillsUSA VICA. She will represent Kansas at the national competition in June.

“The collision repair industry is a great place for anyone, man or woman, who enjoys working with their hands, pleasing customers with good work and using their imagination to solve problems,” Ringer stated. “When I began my training nine months ago, the only things I knew about cars were how to change my oil and tires. Now, I am an I-CAR qualified welder, and I have developed the skills to analyze and repair vehicle damage.”

According to a 1998 study by the I-CAR Education Foundation, women represent only 1% of the collision repair workforce. However, Patricia Ringer says that women “can’t be intimidated by the fact that some professions are predominately male.” To other women considering a career change, she says “try anything that is of interest. We all have different abilities, but with the determination and the right training, any person can do what they dream.”

Although Ringer is graduating in June, she is a strong advocate of lifelong learning. She is also pursuing an Associates Degree in Business Management from Baker University. She says,”there will never be a time in my life where I will not need education. I will always pursue training to stay on the cutting edge. As with any industry, education is the key.”

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 the consumer.

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