The Collision Repair Education Foundation, in collaboration with AkzoNobel Vehicle Refinishes North America, has announced the names of schools that are being recognized for efforts to advance sustainability within their respective automotive and collision repair programs. As a result of combined student teams and faculty derived submittals, each school will receive funds from the Sustainability Education Challenge Grant to implement their proposals and report on the success of their project.

Schools from around the country submitted applications for this grant. Applications were evaluated by the Collision Repair Education Foundation Selection Committee on the ability to expand awareness of sustainability, advance continuous improvement and create a positive impact within the local community where the schools are located. The recipients were announced at the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s annual industry reception at the SEMA Show.

The recipients include:

• Freedom High School (Freedom, Wis.)
• Minot High School-Magic City Campus (Minot, North Dakota)
• Norwalk High School (Norwalk, Calif.)
• Steel Center AVTS (Jefferson Hills, Pa.)
• Thomas Edison CTE High School (Jamaica, N.Y.)

“We are very proud to partner for the third year with AkzoNobel on the Sustainability Challenge Grant,” said Clark Plucinski, executive director of the Collision Repair Education Foundation. “Students, who will be the future of the collision industry, need to be informed and engaged on the topic of sustainability. While they are still in school is the best time to start the conversation, as it will be an important one for the industry and for the entire planet. We applaud AkzoNobel for involving the students and schools in such an important topic.”

The program, initiated by AkzoNobel in an effort to support one of the core principles of the global corporation, was introduced in 2014. The goal was to create awareness and educate students with intentions of seeking careers within the collision repair industry on the growing global imperative of sustainability and its ability to make a positive impact in all facets of life today and – more importantly – for the future.