Collision Repair Education Foundation Board of Trustees Chair Releases Mid-Year Report

Collision Repair Education Foundation Board of Trustees Chair Releases Mid-Year Report

First half highlights include Collision Career Fairs and student resume database success, student scholarships and tool grants, Makeover Grant/New School Readiness Benchmark Program, and more.

 

Collision-Repair-Education-Foundation-logoThe Collision Repair Education Foundation announced that Board of Trustees Chair Stacy Bartnik has released a mid-year report highlighting the organization’s successes in the first half of 2016:

Collision Industry Friends and Contacts,

Assisting high school and college collision repair school programs, instructors and students across the country is no small task. However, I am happy to report that, through the industry’s generous support, the Collision Repair Education Foundation has had a great first half start to 2016 and we look forward to working with the industry to help ensure the second half is even better!

Here are some of the highlights of the first half of 2016:

  • Collision Career Fairs & Student Resume Database Success: To help introduce and connect collision students with industry employers and display the array of career opportunities students have within this industry, the Education Foundation organized and supported 10 high school and college collision career fairs around the country this spring. Students were able to distribute resumes and meet local employers and some walked away from these events newly employed. There are six career fairs planned for the fall and we look to improve on the events and tracking over the events to report back their success to the industry. To assist those students who aren’t able to attend these events, the Education Foundation piloted their Collision Student Resume Database program where collision students from around the country who are seeking full-time, part-time, or internship work could submit their contact information and the Foundation would provide this database to its industry supporters.
  • Student Scholarships & Tool Grants: Over $250,000 in high school senior and college collision student scholarships and tool grants were awarded this spring to help the future professionals of this industry with needed financial support for their technical education and/or provide them with the entry-level tool sets they will need to be successful in starting off an industry career.
  • Makeover Grant/New School Readiness Benchmark Program: After hearing feedback from donors and the industry about an immediate need for entry-level staff, the Foundation created a new designation system for schools where each school that applies for the Makeover grant will be given a Collision School Readiness Benchmark designation (Tier 1: Advanced, Tier 2: Proficient, or Tier 3: Developing). The designation will be determined by the school completing a collision program profile through the application, which includes tools/equipment inventory, student contact hours, continuing education hours and more. The Foundation will work with those schools that apply and provide funding to help them advance in the tier program to assist in their ability to graduate students who will be productive upcoming employees.
  • Strategic Planning: The Education Foundation Board of Trustees is working together with the staff on multi-year strategic planning that includes enhancing our work with the schools but also efforts to get in front of parents, guidance counselors and students at a younger age.

We celebrate these first-half successes, however, there is no plan on slowing down in the second half of the year and we are asking for the industry’s continued support to help us achieve our goals.

  • Donations: If your company can join our list of supporters by providing tax-deductible monetary and/or in-kind product donations to collision school programs through the Education Foundation, please contact me or a member of the staff.
  • Industry Reception at SEMA: Join us the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 1st, during SEMA at our annual industry reception where we will be awarding over $100,000 in school grants and student support.
  • Chicagoland Speedway & Other Career Fairs: This fall we will be in Chicago, St. Louis, Boston, Minneapolis, Atlanta and Columbus continuing our career fairs, in addition to starting to plan out the spring 2017 events as well.

This industry should be proud of the fact that they have allowed the Education Foundation to provide over $50 million in donations since 2009 and through effective leadership on both the board and staffing level, the organization returns 90 cents of every dollar donated back to the schools, which has been recognized through Charity Navigator awarding the organization a Four (out of four) Star rating the past several years. As collision school instructors need the industry’s support now more than ever, we invite you to join in our efforts to help bring this organization and collision technical education to the next level.

On behalf of the Collision Repair Education Foundation Board of Trustees, staff, and the high school and college collision school programs that we support, I thank our industry supporters. And if you aren’t a current supporter, I invite you to join us in helping the future professionals of the industry.

Regards,

Stacy Bartnik

ITW Evercoat, Central Zone Business Development Manager

Collision Repair Education Foundation, Board of Trustees Chair

[email protected] | (224) 210-9952

You May Also Like

ASE Practice Tests Available Online

ASE is encouraging those pursuing certification to take the official practice tests as part of their test preparation process.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) reminds those preparing for ASE certification or recertification to consider taking the official practice tests as part of their test preparation process.

“Figuring out how to best study for an exam can be a challenge," said Matt Shepanek, vice president, credential testing programs for ASE. "Those preparing for ASE certification can get a good idea of what to expect by adding the official ASE practice tests to their study plans. ASE practice tests are delivered exclusively online and can help automotive professionals prepare by allowing them to try out questions of similar content and format to those used on the real ASE tests.”

Corby’s Collision Center: Since 1942

Bentley (Bud) and Evelyn Corby started Corby’s in a little gas station in Honeoye Falls, N.Y.

CIF Announces Enterprise as Repeat Annual Donor

Enterprise has donated for the fourth consecutive time at the Urgent Care (second highest) tier.

NABC Donates Recycled Ride to Central Georgia Mom

The NAB), GEICO and Five Star Collision Center-Wimbish recently donated a refurbished vehicle to a deserving mother of four.

NABC Donates Recycled Rides at NORTHEAST Show

The NABC, GEICO, Mountain View Auto and Collision Center of New Jersey donated two refurbished vehicles at the recent NORTHEAST Show.

Other Posts

Crash Champions Expands in Idaho

Crash Champions has announced the acquisition of Addison Collision Repair in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Auto Care Association Welcomes GAO Report on Vehicle Repair Restrictions

The Auto Care Association is renewing its call for Congress to advance federal Right to Repair legislation that protects independent business owners and consumers.

ProColor Collision Welcomes First Shop in Montana

ProColor Collision Gallatin Valley is operated by Robert Rinta and Simon Gratch, who both served honorably in the Montana National Guard.

Association News

The latest association news appearing on bodyshopbusiness.com.