Press Release

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (December 2025) – The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) envisions “a collision industry with a sufficient number of qualified, properly trained and immediately productive entry-level employees to meet current and future industry needs,” and that begins with ensuring collision schools are adequately equipped with everything they need to educate the next generation …

Championing a Better Future for Collision Students: Crash Champions Proudly Supports CREF’s Vision on Every Level Read More »

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, …

From Roots to STEM: Instructor Seeks to Improve Perception of Industry, Promotes Career Potential of Collision Engineering 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 …

Third Time’s a Charm: CREF Scholarship Winner Takes Gold in Refinishing at 2025 SkillsUSA National Competition 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 …

Envisioning a Brighter Future: Industry Donates Record $726,500 to Collision Schools and Students via CREF 2025 Benchmark Awards 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 …

IAA Honors Former CREF Board Member Don Hermanek with Extra $10,000 Donation to the Collision Repair Education Foundation Read More »

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 …

Putting Tools in Every Student’s Hands: State Farm Lends Support to Collision Schools via CREF Read More »

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’ …

CREF’s Fall 2025 High School & College Transportation Student Career Fairs: A Key to Future Success Read More »

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 »

In the wake of the 2025 July floods in Texas, the collision repair industry and the community of Southeast Texas mourn a truly great man and pillar of the community. Collision repair instructor Jeff Wilson, along with his wife Amber and their son Shiloh, tragically lost their lives in the Kerr Country flood. Jeff dedicated …

Remembering and Honoring Jeff Wilson Read More »

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 …

CREF’s 23rd Annual Golf Fundraiser Brings in Over $120,000 “Fore” Collision Schools and Students Read More »