Today’s blog is dedicated to instructors and schools, offering inspiration and strategies to help market collision repair programs in new and impactful ways. Our goal is to attract passionate and driven students to join this dynamic industry.
As kids today ponder what their future careers will look like, they are surrounded by friends, parents, and influencers who strongly impact their decisions, aspirations, and overall path. To have a chance of getting their attention, it’s clear that the automotive industry (and specifically the collision repair industry) needs to be marketed, supported, and much more visible if we want students to consider it as an exceptional and rewarding industry to be a part of.
Cars are such an indispensable part of our daily lives, so it’s clear that this is an industry that is here to stay, which translates to amazing job security. It’s also clear that the evolution of cars is permanently intertwined with new technology — a trend that is only going to continue.
With the introduction of EV, Hybrid, Autonomous and self-driving vehicles, and large manufacturers always looking for ways to improve their products, the timing couldn’t be better for choosing a career in automotive. We as an industry must step up and show kids, parents and car enthusiasts exactly how good a career in collision repair can truly be.
In order to do that, we all need to work together, and we need to harness the help and power of our education system to get the word out: specifically, schools, collision repair programs, instructors and school counsellors who see and interact with kids daily.
Statistics on Current Student Enrollment
According to our school snapshot survey, in 2018 we had approximately 39,000 students enrolled, compared to 2023 at 17,768 students enrolled. This is a 46% decrease in 7 years.
Looking at the data of our school locator, with a total of 696 collision repair schools listed in our database, this is an opportunity for 696 schools to make a greater impact. By finding different ways to influence, support and encourage school enrollment to our programs, we can make a meaningful difference!!
How can we do this? We need to grab kids’ attention in imaginative ways and get them excited about pursuing a career in automotive — specifically collision repair. With that goal in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most effective ways to help potential students realize that collision school enrollment is a choice they will never regret.
Proven Strategies to Boost Collision Repair Program Enrollment
Let’s get down to business! Read on for some empowering and actionable tips and ideas to put your collision repair school front and center in the public eye – and keep it there.
1. Harness the Power of Social Media
Your future students are using social media almost constantly, making this one of the most powerful tools you can employ to connect with them and let them know your collision repair programs exist. Become a constant presence on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Post photos and videos of your collision repair program facilities and classes, and encourage your existing students to share their stories as well. Refresh your content frequently, and make it as lively and engaging as possible.
2. Invest in Collision Industry Marketing Web Pages
In today’s digital world, school collision repair programs need to have a strong online presence to stand out. Why not include a whole page on your school’s website that’s dedicated to the collision repair industry — or even a whole website? If every school in the United States were to do this, the amount of reach, awareness and exposure it would generate would be impactful enough to move the whole industry!
Ongoing blogs or vlogs are another great strategy. They keep the public up to date with current events, statistics, and trends that demonstrate the benefits of choosing a career in collision repair, and they also strengthen the industry’s visibility and overall credibility. The more websites and blogs that are reaching the public, the more buzz we can generate around the industry as a whole.
Examples of great collision repair websites from some of the schools:
- https://www.istc.edu/page/automotive-body-repair
- https://www.uti.edu/programs/collision
- https://www.francistuttle.edu/programs-and-classes/career-training-programs/automotive-collision-repair-technology
3. Create Attention-Grabbing Collision Industry Marketing Materials
In addition to digital channels, invest in printing high-quality brochures, flyers and postcards that make it easy to see and absorb key details and benefits of your programs. In addition to basics such as your contact info, curriculum and facilities, be sure to highlight things like earnings potential and the massive demand for skilled automotive workers. Be sure that these visual materials are available in all the right places, including high schools, career fairs, community event boards at retail outlets and recreation centers, etc.
You can request the career banner, parent FAQ flyer, Student FAQ flyer, and overall CREF brochure from us at CREF (info@ed-foundation,org), or you can order directly by logging in and ordering through your Plumgrove account.
4. Emphasize the Importance of New Technologies in the Industry
Everyone knows that kids these days are obsessed with technology, yet many aren’t aware of the massive role it plays in almost every aspect of the industry. Make it clear that your collision repair program will give students access to all the latest tools, gadgets and techniques as they complete their studies. With self-driving, autonomous and electric vehicles coming on so strong, automotive technology is evolving faster than ever before, so there’s never been a better time for them to get involved.
5. Join Forces with Local Automotive Businesses
Establish relationships and partnerships with local shops, dealerships and automotive-related companies that may be willing to promote your program through their social media channels and other networks. Outreach efforts like this can develop into ongoing opportunities for future students to secure internships, apprenticeships and even jobs.
6. Host Open Houses, Tours, and Workshops
Invite students and parents to visit your school’s facilities in person for a firsthand look at all you have to offer. In addition to creating interest and excitement in the amenities and the space itself, this opens up the opportunity to talk up the many benefits of a career in collision repair, including job security, diverse opportunities, salary range, the ability to work almost anywhere, and so on.
Workshop Topic ideas include:
- Basic Auto Care Workshops
- Career Opportunities in Collision Repair
- Modern Automotive Technology
- How to Build Your Own Automotive Portfolio
- Introduction to Collision Repair Techniques
7. Share Real-Life Success Stories
Some graduates of your collision repair program are shining examples of a successful and rewarding career in automotive, and they deserve a starring role in your efforts to boost enrollment. Start a collection of video interviews, testimonials, case studies, and personal stories to share through social media and/or at workshops and open houses. By highlighting the success of past students, you are making it clear to future students that this can be their reality, too — and that a rewarding and lifelong career in automotive is well within reach for anyone with the drive and desire to succeed.
Watch some inspiration here! https://youtu.be/xvTtYnIFOb0
8. Enlist the Support of High School Counselors/Vocational Advisors
School career counselors and advisors play an early and crucial role in shaping the life paths of students. Stay in constant contact, show school counselors the benefits and value of collision repair, and provide detailed information about the advantages of students enrolling in a collision repair school. In doing so, you’ll ensure your program has a place at the table with counselors and students.
Things you can also do to better educate your collision repair program include;
- Showing up for career days
- Making sure you leave information with school counselors so they can keep that info in their office.
- Review the annual school snapshot with your school counselor so they know current stats.
- Provide the career banner to your school counselors – Order here!
- Bring your students to talk to other students and highlight their work
- Host School Counselor Events – Which include tours, workshops, quartertly meetings to discuss stats and important information, etc
9. Spread the Word About Scholarships and Financial Aid
More than ever before, a lack of finances can deter today’s students from considering collision repair school enrollment as a viable option. The Collision Repair Education Foundation and other non-profit organizations offer all kinds of student scholarships, as well as school grants to help you enrich your courses with the latest tools, equipment and supplies. Make potential students and parents aware of these initiatives every chance you get, including across all your social media channels, outreach efforts, and print materials.
10. Leverage Community Channels:
Make use of media outlets, local events and career fairs by visiting our events calendar to increase awareness of the need for collision repair technicians. Emphasize job security, the strong future of the industry, and the concept of this career choice as a meaningful way to help and support their neighbors and communities.
Collision Repair School Enrollment: Looking Toward the Future
Today more than ever, automotive businesses need enthusiastic and skilled workers to address the existing shortfall and safeguard the future health of the industry. It’s not going to be a quick fix, but by making a sustained effort to show students how rewarding a career in collision repair can be, we can make it happen!
As you can see, there are many effective strategies available for you to generate interest in and increase your collision repair school enrollment, and we here at, CREF, also want to do everything we can to help your school to grow!
If you have any suggestions or requests in terms of how we can help, join the discord instructor community and provide us with any feedback. We are always interested in hearing your ideas for additional ways to encourage more awareness and enrollment.