Back to school season looks a little different when your classroom includes vehicles, tools, welding equipment, paint booths and repair technology. For some students, this fall will be the first time they step onto a collision repair shop floor. Others are coming back with a year or more of training behind them, ready to build …
Back to School Guide for Collision Repair Students Read More »
If you have ever considered becoming a mechanic, you may be surprised to learn there is another skilled automotive trade that many people overlook. Auto body technicians play a very different role in the automotive industry. Their work is technical, hands-on, highly specialized, and essential to returning vehicles safely to the road after a collision. …
The Difference Between an Auto Body Technician and a Mechanic Read More »
There are students walking into collision repair classrooms every single day with passion, curiosity, creativity, and the desire to build a meaningful future for themselves. Across the industry, instructors, mentors, schools, and industry professionals continue working hard to create opportunities that help students discover rewarding careers filled with growth, technology, craftsmanship, and purpose. What makes …
The Future of Collision Repair Programs Depends on the Road We Choose Read More »
Thinking about entering a collision repair program? Before deciding on a school, it helps to understand what this path really looks like and where it can take you. A career in collision repair is more than learning how to fix vehicles. It is about working with precision, taking responsibility for your work, and building habits …
What Students Should Know Before Entering a Collision Repair Program Read More »
We often think the future of collision repair begins in the shop. And for some individuals, that may be true. But for many entering the industry today, the journey begins somewhere else entirely. Insights from the recent student survey conducted by the Collision Repair Education Foundation in collaboration with CCC Intelligent Solutions reinforce something instructors …
How Industry Support Directly Impacts Collision Repair Education Read More »
One thing we’re constantly reminded of at CREF is that great careers don’t just happen. They’re shaped early on by the people teaching and mentoring students from day one. As we work alongside schools and shop programs across the country, we see firsthand just how much those instructors influence not only technical skills, but confidence, …
Behind Every Successful Student Is a Great Instructor Read More »
Trying to decide what to take in school or what kind of career to pursue can feel overwhelming, especially when the answers are not clear yet. If you like working with cars, fixing things, or solving technical problems, you may already sense that hands-on work feels more natural to you, even if you are not …
Careers for People Who Like Working with Cars and Solving Problems Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
