Getting with the Program

Trade Schools: Getting with the Program

Body shops' direction and guidance on what they need will help trade schools nationwide get with the program.

You’ve probably been seeing a lot of content from us on the Matrix Trade Institute in Beachwood, Ohio.

I got the chance to visit the two-year-old school a few months ago and was really impressed with a lot of things about it: the updated, modern look inside, the focused students, the hands-on learning, the motivational signs on the wall. For example, one sign read, “Hustle: the most important word ever.” Another read, “Talent: means nothing without hard work.”

It’s a school I could see a young person being proud to attend and graduate from. And that’s half the battle, says co-founder Dustin Peugeot.

“The student has to be proud about the training and education they are gaining,” Peugeot said. “We all fight that battle of training to get the best and brightest young men and women to enter the trades, so we have to put forth the effort to make that as appealing as possible, not only to the trainee but for people in their lives who need to support and be proud of their decision.”

The 2020 winners of the Executive of the Year do a great job of developing talent from within and being leaders in their market who people want to work for. These strategies, plus schools like Matrix, give me hope for the future of collision repair, and it should give you hope too. Your direction and guidance on what you need will help schools nationwide get with the program.

You May Also Like

Scholarships, Industry Support Help Estimator Advance Career

Estimator Justin Furman is on the fast track to becoming a manager due to support from CREF and PPG.

Justin Furman, an estimator at Bill Brown Ford in Livonia, Mich., is on the fast track to becoming a manager. He largely credits his career successes to the support he received from the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) and PPG.

Justin Furman credits his success to support he has received from CREF and PPG.

Training: Focus on Things You’re Not Good At

Focusing on things you’re not good at and getting out of your comfort zone is critical to adapting to the future.

Preparing the Next Generation of Collision Techs

Two trade schools are undertaking groundbreaking initiatives with the goal of supplying the collision industry with better prepared techs.

Collision Boost Radio Podcast Reaches Industry Newcomers

Jeff and Marie Peevy created Collision Boost Radio, a weekly podcast series that debuted in February 2020 that offers insight to those considering a career in collision.

HAPs 6H Certification: Assessing the Value

HAPs certification can be a nice addition to a body shop employee’s resume and enhance their employment prospects.

Other Posts

Rock On, Michael!

Michael Bradshaw, vice president of K & M Collision, was named a Vehicle Care RockStar due to standing up for what he believes in.

Glue Pull Repair Q&A with Dent Fix’s Erik Spitznagel 

Why is everybody talking about glue pulling right now?

Vehicle Care RockStar: Michael Bradshaw

As one of Babcox Media’s inaugural Vehicle Care Rockstars, Michael Bradshaw of K & M Collision embodies a new voice in the collision repair industry fighting for the rights of consumers and body shops.

Vehicle ADAS: I Dumped My Old Car for a Computer

It was surprisingly not too hard to say goodbye to my old jalopy.