For the third year in a row, 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division has announced its support of the 3M Hire Our Heroes program to provide tool grants and assistance to military veterans through the Collision Repair Education Foundation. For 2015, the 3M Hire Our Heroes program also will support the new collision repair and refinishing technology training program at Fayetteville Technical Community College, based near the U.S. Army base at Ft. Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C.
In 2013 and 2014, the 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division donated $500,000 to programs that help returning military veterans get the tools and assistance they need to start a career in collision repair or continue their training. There have been 115 recipients of the 3M Hire Our Heroes grants since 2013.
“When you walk into a shop, and you have all the tools you need to complete the task, it makes it possible to be hired on the spot,” said David Sellers, U.S. Army (ret.) and a recipient of a 3M Hire Our Heroes grant. “I walked into a shop a few months ago to apply for a job and was asked by the shop manager if I had my own tools. When I responded ‘yes’ with confidence, I was hired after just five minutes of talking with him.”
Added Dale Ross, U.S. marketing operations manager for 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division, “We are excited to move the program ahead in 2015, again partnering with the Collision Repair Education Foundation and expanding the program to include support of the Fayetteville Technical Community College and its new collision repair and refinishing technology training program.”
The new collision repair and refinishing technology training program at Fayetteville Technical Community College is designed to ensure veterans – and all students – are shop-ready and certified to work in the industry upon graduation. Grants are available through the Collision Repair Education Foundation.
More information:
For more information on the Fayetteville program, visit www.faytechcc.edu/public_service/i-car.aspx
