Hoffman Estates, Ill. (August 11, 2025) – The Collision Repair Education Foundation’s (CREF) 23rd Annual Golf Fundraiser, co-hosted by PPG Automotive Finishes, was among the biggest and best in the organization’s history! Held at the Philmont Country Club in Huntingdon, PA on July 22, the 2025 iteration of this annual event enjoyed participation from 120 …
Hoffman Estates, Ill. (August 11, 2025) – The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of collision students through its annual Student Scholarship program, and it’s particularly gratifying to continue expanding that impact in 2025 by awarding over $275,000 in tuition assistance and tools to a substantial number …
Some of the best skilled trade employees, like, auto body technicians, painters, estimators, and mechanics, didn’t start in this trade by working in a shop. For many, it all began at home on the floor of a garage beside a mom or dad who said, “Pop open the hood, let me show you something.” Some kids …
The Confidence Behind the Craft: How Parents Shape Their Kids’ Success in Skilled Trades Read More »
Hoffman Estates, Ill. (August 5, 2025) – To be the best, one must be equipped with the best. That concept certainly applies to collision repair students learning the trade, but it has far-reaching implications beyond the current impact on the quality of students’ work – it also has a significant effect on how smoothly they …
Hoffman Estates, Ill. (July 9, 2025) – Making a difference in the lives of collision repair students comes in many forms – from supporting the school programs educating the next generation to directly funding scholarships to help these future collision professionals overcome financial barriers standing in the way of their dreams. As a founding member …
Hoffman Estates, Ill. (June 26, 2025) – The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is excited to announce that PPG (NYSE: PPG) and the PPG Foundation recently expanded their support for collision schools and students, building on more than a decade of partnership to help develop future talent in the collision repair industry. As part of …
If you walk into a technical trade school on any given day, you’re guaranteed to find passionate instructors doing everything they can to prepare students for real careers in the collision repair industry. These instructors build engaging programs, foster hands-on skills, and teach students how to use their newfound knowledge to secure a successful lifelong …
Investing in the Collision Industry’s Future through Industry-School Partnerships Read More »
Hoffman Estates, Ill. (June 13, 2025) – Successful collision repair professionals need to know a lot to keep pace in today’s rapidly advancing industry, and just as the various components of a vehicle are often interrelated, so are the skill sets that students are encouraged to develop. Repair planning, in particular, offers repairers insights into …
Hoffman Estates, Ill. (June 10, 2025) – Although the collision repair industry offers a multitude of potential career possibilities – as a technician, painter, supplier and so much more – many collision students are unaware of the extent of options available to them as a result of their studies. The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) …
Around age 12 or 13, many kids begin exploring ideas about what they might want to do when they grow up. At this stage, they’re starting to notice their interests, recognize their strengths, and think more independently. While they’re not expected to make big decisions yet, it’s a good time to start having open conversations …
How to Talk to Your Teen About a Career in the Skilled Trades Read More »
