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 professionals. As more students recognize the possibilities this industry holds, some programs are reporting increased enrollment, but what happens when schools aren’t properly equipped to provide students with the hands-on experience necessary to successfully enter the workforce?
“Over the last few years, my program enrollment has increased, and although we had tools, our disposal materials lacked by comparison,” reports Amy Bogner, collision repair instructor at Erie 2 Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES LoGuidice Educational Center (E2CCB) in Fredonia, NY. With over 30 students in her class and a finite budget for materials, there simply weren’t enough funds to rectify that problem without aid. That’s when Bogner learned about the Collision Repair Education Foundation and decided to apply for a Benchmark Award. “Applying for funding through CREF opened opportunities to receive donations of supplies this past year, which has been a significant help.”
But those supplies weren’t the only thing E2CCB received – the school was also selected to receive a $25,000 Benchmark Award, funded by State Farm®, to help maintain and enhance its educational offerings and ensure that students graduating from its program are prepared to enter a career in the collision repair industry.
“This award significantly enhanced my program, providing us with upgraded tools and equipment and higher-quality consumable materials,” Bogner expresses. In addition to receiving three new full toolboxes to help keep the shop organized, an ongoing struggle since Bogner began teaching at E2CCB, the program “acquired several car parts stands to prevent parts from lying on the floor, as well as two welders and various miscellaneous tools such as spray guns, buffers, sanders and welding helmets. The donations have been incredible and greatly helped to supplement my budget, allowing me to allocate those funds to purchase higher-quality supplies. They have also made the shop environment less chaotic, enabling me to spend more time working with my students instead of running around looking for tools and materials. I am very grateful to the Collision Repair Education Foundation for the opportunity to apply for the Benchmark Award and to State Farm for their generous donation.”
State Farm recognizes that equipping schools and students is vital for the industry’s future; E2CCB wasn’t the only school to benefit from the insurer’s generosity in 2024 – an additional $80,000 was distributed to 15 other schools, empowering them to better educate over 600 students this school year alone. “State Farm supports programs that provide today’s learners with the tools and resources to help them achieve life skills and an education, equipping them for future opportunities and helping them realize their dreams,” Rasheed Merritt, AVP of Corporate Responsibility at State Farm, explains the organization’s unyielding support for CREF and its Benchmark Awards in particular. “State Farm has a rich history of supporting education initiatives that help students reach their greatest potential and prepare them for college and career success.”
Putting the right tools and equipment in students’ hands has additional benefits as well. “With the purchases these funds allowed me to make, I’m able to accommodate the growing enrollment in my program, giving me the resources to equip my students with essential skills, boost their confidence and prepare them to excel in the future,” Bogner shares excitedly. “These contributions enable students to work with the latest tools that align with today’s industry standards. Additionally, they help keep my students engaged; previously, it was challenging to maintain their interest in the shop due to a lack of sufficient tools. When students are actively engaged, they are more likely to share their experiences with their high schools, families, and friends, which can lead to increased interest and enrollment in my program.”
Attracting more students to collision programs is an imperative component in solving the workforce crisis. “The collision repair industry is currently experiencing a significant shortage of skilled technicians,” Bogner points out. “Many shops are struggling to find and retain qualified employees. Collision repair programs can provide businesses with well-trained technicians who meet industry standards, but we need them to get involved because industry professionals are informed about current developments in the industry and can share the qualities they look for in technicians. They can inspire and guide students considering a career in the collision industry, potentially opening doors for mentorship and internship opportunities.”
“The automotive collision repair industry is experiencing a labor shortage,” agrees Steve Schmidt, Planning and Analysis Sr. Manager at State Farm who has been an active member of CREF’s Board of Trustees since 2018. “It is important for industry partners to help attract and prepare the next generation of repairers. We want students to prosper from mastering a skill that is in demand. At State Farm, our mission is to help people. We believe education is critical for healthy, vibrant communities and believe everyone deserves an education that will help them reach their greatest potential.”
Ensuring future collision repair professionals receive the right training and support during their educational experience also has reciprocal benefits for State Farm and its affiliates, which are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States with more than 19,200 agents and 67,000 employees serving over 91 million policies and accounts. “Our communities need qualified and skilled workers to help people recover from unexpected losses,” Schmidt says. “In addition, we have a need for people with auto collision repair backgrounds to be part of the State Farm ‘Good Neighbor’ workforce. We rely on our skilled appraisers who use their auto collision repair experience to prepare estimates and guide customers through the claims process.”
Two-thirds of State Farm’s $150,000 donation in 2024 funded Benchmark Awards, and additional funds contribute to CREF’s mission to remove financial barriers to education, promote opportunities for a diverse workforce and reward dedication, achievement and passion for the trade. Projects include enhancing industry branding through targeted campaigns to attract more talent to collision repair, offering scholarships and tool grants to deserving collision repair students, connecting students to industry leaders through CREF’s High School and College Transportation Student Career Fairs and organizing hands-on training events and competitions to foster creativity and showcase students’ talents.
CREF’s initiatives to strengthen collision repair schools and empower students to excel in their future collision careers inspire action, impact and results that move the industry forward, and in response to this positive momentum, State Farm has donated an additional $150,000 in 2025 to help the Foundation continue its efforts to aid programs developing qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities. “In 2025, our grant funding will support more Benchmark Awards for high schools and collision programs that are dedicated to improving their collision repair education facilities as well as student scholarships to assist with tuition and essential tools required for entry-level positions in the industry,” according to Merritt. “Through this grant support, State Farm seeks to broaden opportunity through access to education and prepare students for the workforce of the future.”
As an avid supporter of CREF since 1999, State Farm encourages other industry partners to connect with CREF to learn more about their programs, students, instructors and results.
Industry members interested in getting involved and supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s efforts to assist high school and college collision repair training programs can Contact Us to learn about the many ways to get involved. Monetary donations can be made online.
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The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting collision repair educational programs, schools and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation, visit us online at: www.CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org.
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If you would like more information about this topic or any of CREF’s initiatives, please email info@ed-foundation.org.