A competitive edge for Collision Repair technicians and businesses
To properly repair today's complex vehicles, up-to-date training across several key collision repair roles is essential. The I-CAR® PDP for Collision Repair Professionals was designed specifically to meet this demand and is the industry standard for role-relevant training that contributes to complete, safe and quality repairs. The program was developed with extensive input from the collision repair industry to meet the industry's current and future needs.
Training Paths for Collision Repairers
I-CAR's PDP collision repair training features distinct training paths that provide each person involved in the collision repair process the up-to-date knowledge and skills they need to perform their role successfully. The PDP for Collision Repair Professionals includes four roles that are required to earn the Gold Class® recognition, as well as two speciality roles.
Visit Benefits of PDP for more information on how adopting the PDP can help improve shop business performance.
Required PDP Roles
Estimator
Estimators inspect, analyze and evaluate damaged vehicles to create a comprehensive and accurate damage report.
Non-Structural Technician
Non-Structural Technicians restore damaged exterior panels to their original integrity, function, and appearance.
Steel-Structural Technician
Steel Structural Technicians restore vehicle dimensions and structural integrity to collision-damaged vehicles.
Refinish Technician
Refinish Technicians prepare and apply paint to repaired vehicles to restore a vehicle’s appearance to pre-accident condition.
Specialty PDP Roles
Production Management
The role of Production Management is to oversee the process and staff to ensure efficient, safe repairs and excellent customer service from the time a car enters the shop to when the customer drives away.
Aluminum Structural Technician
Aluminum Structural Technicians restore aluminum structural dimensions and structural integrity to collision damaged vehicles.
Achieving higher levels of knowledge
The Inter-Industry has identified specific Knowledge Areas that collision repair professionals in each role must learn in order to produce complete, safe and quality repairs.
Working with the Inter-Industry, I-CAR has grouped these Knowledge Areas according to skill level, called ProLevels. Each ProLevel builds upon previous knowledge and training, to cover progressively more in-depth content.
Individuals progress from ProLevel 1® through ProLevel 3®, with ongoing annual training thereafter, to ultimately achieve and maintain advanced-level knowledge.
Platinum Recognition
Based on an individual's prior training and commitment to achievement, completion of ProLevel 1 could be achieved in 3 - 12 months. Completion of all ProLevel 1 requirements qualifies the individual for Platinum™ recognition.
To maintain Platinum recognition, the individual must complete all ProLevel 2®requirements, and subsequently all ProLevel 3 requirements, by the annual renewal date. Once ProLevel 3 has been achieved, to maintain Platinum recognition role-relevant ongoing training must be completed every 12 months.