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 »
When most people think about career opportunities in the collision repair industry, they picture someone repairing a damaged vehicle after an accident. While that is certainly an important part of the industry, it is only one of many career paths available. Today’s collision repair industry is a dynamic network of professionals, businesses, and technologies working …
Exploring the Many Career Opportunities in the Collision Repair Industry 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
The best way to determine if collision repair school training might be the right path for you (and to ultimately succeed in pursuing it) is to learn more about what is involved and what to expect.
