The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) announced the launch of a new technician competition for entry-level collision technicians and their mentors. The goal of the competition is to recognize the performance of the next generation of collision technicians and their mentors on critical skills necessary to repair today’s high-tech vehicles. CREF also wants to help develop more mentoring programs within the industry and foster industry relationships with collision programs across the country.

“Each year, the collision industry faces a critical shortage in the number of new technicians entering the industry,” said Christen Battaglia, director of strategic partnerships for CREF. “Worse, many repair facilities have been challenged delivering effective mentoring programs for these new technicians to grow their abilities and prosper in the industry. As a result, too many new technicians leave the industry after just a few years, exacerbating the shortage. This new competition is designed to recognize the accomplishments of successful mentors and technicians, and also highlight how it is a strategy for employee retention.”

The one-day event will take place Sept. 28, 2019 at Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, Mo. Companies and repair facilities with mentoring programs will enter their mentor and mentee team to compete against other industry businesses. The mentor/mentee teams will compete on competencies the industry has deemed necessary for entry-level technicians.

Industry individuals interested in participating in the competition as a mentor/mentee team, or who would like to participating in the committees organizing the event, can email Christen Battaglia at [email protected].

For information on how to donate to programs supported by CREF, visit CollisionEducationFoundation.org.