Hoffman Estates, Ill. (December 2025) – When Brian Foster first planted his roots in the collision repair industry as a 14-year-old kid in the 1980s, vehicles were different – and so were the skills required to repair them. “You became a body man or a mechanic if you couldn’t do anything else,” he recalls. However, …
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” In collision repair, skill matters, but so do the people you meet along the way. Every experienced technician, instructor, manager, and shop owner you meet has something that can help shape your future. Each person represents a different side of the …
Networking Tips That Accelerate Collision Repair Career Development Read More »
Hoffman Estates, Ill. (November 17, 2025) – When it comes to excelling in a complex trade like collision repair and refinishing, persistence is key! Aleah Sauder has learned that lesson well, and her pertinacity was rewarded when she took home the gold medal in Automotive Refinishing Technology at the 2025 SkillsUSA National Competition, held in …
There is something powerful about watching your work come to life as a collision repair student. The moment a damaged panel is straight again, the way paint shines under the lights, or that feeling when a repair finally comes together just right, are the moments that remind you why this trade matters. Those wins in …
How Collision Repair Students Build Skills That Make an Impact Read More »
Hoffman Estates, Ill. (November 12, 2025) – Helen Keller once said, “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” Those words are truly embodied by the efforts of the collision repair industry which comes together each year to support future industry professionals by sponsoring the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s (CREF) Benchmark …
A step-by-step guide to organizing impactful career events The collision repair industry offers exceptional opportunities for students who enjoy working with their hands, solving problems, and utilizing the latest technology. Schools play a vital role in helping students discover these career paths, and one of the best ways to do that is by hosting a …
How Hosting Career Fairs Can Inspire Students and Strengthen School Programs Read More »
Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA) has been a longtime supporter of the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), and their support extends beyond monetary contributions – two of the Foundation’s former Board members hail from the halls of IAA: Mark Helvenston just ended his tenure as Vice Chair. He joined the Board in 2018, and prior to …
Collision repair students prepare for their future careers in body shops and other industry organizations by learning all they can in the school environment, but that requires an investment in tools, equipment and supplies that often exceeds the collision programs’ budgets. With access to the right resources, the opportunities are unlimited for these future collision …
Hoffman Estates, Ill. (September 11, 2025) – A strong future workforce is vital to the success of collision industry businesses, and today’s students will become tomorrow’s industry leaders. But how can these motivated young people connect with the employer of their dreams? The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) will unlock the door to showcasing students’ …
It’s no secret that collision repair students require resources to learn, but with limited budgets and rising costs, collision instructors often face challenges in adequately equipping their programs with everything they need to train these young professionals to put their best foot forward. For the past 33 years, the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) has …
CREF Needs YOUR Help Connecting Tomorrow’s Technicians with Today’s Best Resources! Read More »
