Hoffman Estates, Ill. (May 2026) –
In an industry defined by technical precision, the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is highlighting a different kind of strength: the power of human connection and gratitude. Over the past five years (2021-2025), a dedicated network of local I-CAR Volunteer Committees has transformed their passion for the trade into $727,200 in Benchmark Awards, providing essential resources to 67 different schools and impacting the lives of over 5,000 students.
“The Collision Repair Education Foundation is proud to have so many dedicated industry partners supporting collision education,” says Brandon Eckenrode, Executive Director of the Foundation. “The funding raised by these local volunteer I-CAR committees is crucial for these programs to afford the needed tools, equipment and supplies which their budgets don’t always allow for. We’re grateful to all these participating committees for their ongoing support.”
The impact of these awards extends far beyond financial figures; the mission is fueled by connection and community. When local volunteer committees collaborate with CREF to ensure schools have thriving collision repair programs, they equip the next generation for success ─ a crucial step in the Foundation’s mission to attract and grow industry talent.
For industry veteran Gerry Poirier of the Atlanta I-CAR Committee, the motivation to fundraise stems from a deep sense of responsibility to the next generation. “We’re all getting older, and we support these programs because it’s important for that next generation coming up to continue fixing these complex cars. Many of us have created a good life for ourselves in this business. Why wouldn’t we want to share that with the next generation who doesn’t understand the opportunities this field offers? As an industry, we aren’t great at promoting what we do, but at some point, your shop is going to need new technicians, and if you don’t step up to the plate by getting involved, you’re going to suffer the consequences. Join an advisory board, attend career fairs, visit the classrooms, hire apprentices… It’s not rocket science – just get involved.”
The Atlanta Committee’s efforts have seen incredible results, such as their work with Maxwell High School, which grew from an enrollment of 28 students to 120 over 15 years. The key to that success demonstrates the importance of community. “One of our committee members sits on the advisory board of each school we support,” Poirier emphasizes that the connection doesn’t end with a check. “We don’t just donate money and walk away; we engage with the schools that receive those funds through CREF. We review what they are asking for to make sure the funds go to items that will benefit these students as they practice the skills they’ll need in the shop – hand tools, software, paint and materials and the I-CAR curriculum. We provide guidance on which skills are expected of entry-level technicians, so the programs are adequately preparing their students for a successful career after graduation.”
North Georgia Technical College “works hard to provide an authentic learning environment so that our students are prepared for real-world industry demands when they graduate,” according to collision repair instructor Neil Youngblood. “Having hands-on access to these tools gives our students a major advantage. They graduate with the confidence, knowledge and skills they need to step into today’s collision repair workplace.”
Over the past decade, the school has received over $76,000 in Benchmark Awards, and the impact of those funds has been nothing short of transformative. “These funds allowed us to get a wide range of tools our students use every day, including hand tools, diagnostic equipment, aluminum and plastic repair tools, welders, body repair equipment and parts stands,” Youngblood shares. “These tools have helped us stay current with industry practices and give our students hands-on experience with the same equipment they’ll see in the field. Thanks to the support of CREF and the Atlanta I-CAR Committee, our shop now has 98% of the repair tools required by NATEF.”
The industry’s support provides a boost to student morale as well. “When new tools arrive, our shop feels like it’s ‘Christmas time’ for the students,” Youngblood says, crediting the support from CREF and the Atlanta I-CAR Committee for contributing to his program’s increased enrollment. “Students are excited to try the new equipment, and they see that we’re truly invested in their success. That excitement carries outside the classroom; students talk to friends and family, and word-of-mouth remains our strongest recruitment tool. When students stay engaged and feel supported, retention improves naturally. I know that by keeping them actively involved in the learning process, they’ll graduate with the well-rounded skill set needed to succeed in the workforce.”
Youngblood also utilizes the program’s tools in more pointed recruitment efforts when he visits local high schools, middle schools and even elementary schools. “Our portable paint sprayer simulator is a fantastic attention-grabber. Students get excited when they see their classmates using the simulator and can’t wait to find out what’s happening at our booth. When I tell them they can paint a fender, the excitement really takes off. Whether I’m talking to a third-grader or a high school senior, it lets me introduce collision repair as a potential career path. This investment doesn’t just fund tools – it helps us inspire students, strengthen our program and build a skilled workforce that benefits both the industry and our community.”
And that community factor is imperative to strengthening the program. Youngblood expresses extreme gratitude to the “12 collision repair professionals on our advisory committee. Their guidance ensures our curriculum, tools and equipment stay relevant. In return, our graduates help strengthen small repair shops in rural areas by providing a skilled local workforce – giving these businesses a competitive edge and helping communities like ours continue to grow.”
About 20 years ago, Youngblood first saw the value of industry collaboration when the program’s instructor invited him and another collision repair professional to walk through the school’s lab ahead of ASE recertification. The program already met industry standards, but the goal was to validate that its tools, equipment and training remained current and aligned with real-world expectations. “That experience really stuck with me,” Youngblood recalls. “Being asked to provide input reinforced how important it is for working professionals to stay involved in training the next generation.”
Now serving as an instructor himself, Youngblood sees that partnership from the other side – and values it even more. “Local industry professionals play a critical role in keeping programs strong and relevant,” he adds. “Whether it’s serving on advisory committees, sharing insight on current practices, speaking with students, offering internships or supporting events like SkillsUSA, that involvement makes a lasting difference for the educational programs and the students they serve.”
I-CAR Committees around the country recognize just how much of a difference they can make. The collaborative efforts of 19 different committees have ensured that local programs remain a vital part of the industry’s talent pipeline. The Atlanta I-CAR Committee recently hosted its 16th annual golf fundraiser this past April; these efforts have allowed the committee to invest over $1 million into collision repair programs through Georgia.
Other I-CAR Committees are equally devoted to the next generation. Over the past five years alone, funds raised by the Greater Philadelphia I-CAR Committee ($111,700), the Phoenix I-CAR Committee ($65,000) and the Broward County I-CAR Committee ($51,000) have infused new life into their local programs. Both the Central Pennsylvania and Rhode Island I-CAR Committees have donated over $45,000 in funding, while the Nashville Committee has raised $39,000 and the Knoxville Committee has provided $32,500 in support to aid the industry’s future generation in becoming prepared for a career in collision repair.
Other contributing committees in recent years include Indianapolis, Maryland, Palm Beach, St. Louis, Southern New Jersey, Western North Carolina, Wisconsin, Columbus, Harrisburg, Minnesota and Central Massachusetts.
Because most I-CAR Committee are volunteers who work in the industry, they understand and recognize the need for school and student support. “Collision repair training programs are facing tremendous budgetary pressure which makes it difficult for many to even maintain their program at current capabilities, let alone afford to invest in increasing their abilities to satisfy the industry’s current and future workforce needs,” Eckenrode observes. “CREF’s Benchmark Award helps to bridge that gap, but we couldn’t make such a large, lasting impact without the support of the industry. We appreciate the time, talent and efforts of every individual I-CAR Committee volunteer and all of our donors for doing their part to address the industry’s need for properly funded and equipped schools to train and prepare fresh, young, qualified entry-level technicians.”
This momentum continues through 2026 with several key fundraising events having already occurred and more scheduled for later this year, designed to bridge the gap between industry and education:
- October 5: Michigan Collision School Program TopGolf Fundraiser (Auburn Hills, MI)
- November 16: Arizona I-CAR Charity Golf Fundraiser at The Duke Golf Club (Maricopa, AZ)
The Broward County and Greater Philadelphia I-CAR Committees typically host fundraisers in the fall as well, though this year’s events have not yet been confirmed.
These fundraisers provide an ideal opportunity for industry professionals to connect with one another as well as educators and even students. As Eckenrode notes, the presence of the industry is the ultimate motivator: “The local collision students seeing and meeting the industry members in their market is essential to keeping them motivated to stay within the industry. We look forward to collaborating with even more I-CAR committees this year.”
Industry members interested in getting involved and supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s efforts to assist high school and college collision repair training programs can Contact Us to learn about the many ways to get involved. Monetary donations can be made online, or sign up for The Donation Exchange to easily provide in-kind resources that collision repair schools and students desperately need.
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The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting collision repair educational programs, schools and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation, visit us online at: www.CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org.
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If you would like more information about this topic or any of CREF’s initiatives, please email info@ed-foundation.org.