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I-CAR ® Education Foundation and AkzoNobel's
“The Most Influential Women of the Collision Repair Industry”
Announce 2009 Scholarship Winners
HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – December 15, 2009– The I-CAR Education Foundation, in conjunction with AkzoNobel and The Most Influential Women of the Collision Repair Industry , is proud to award eight young women with scholarships to assist in their education and advancement in the collision industry.
The top scholarship winner in the Secondary category is Margaret Mackenzie Hooper, a student at Applied Technology Center in Rock Hill, SC. Hooper will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship to continue her education and career in the collision industry. Mark Dellinger, an instructor at Applied Technology Center, said “I've been her instructor for over a year now and she lives for this field. I've been teaching at this school for six years and Mackenzie is the first female student to show this much interest. Mackenzie is constantly learning and showing the skills she has acquired in this program…I have been impressed with her body work this far; it is better than the majority of the traditional students in my class.”
The top scholarship winner in the Post-Secondary category is Susan Butler, a student at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, WI. Butler will also be awarded a $5,000 scholarship to continue her education and further her career. Jerome Goodson, an instructor at Fox Valley Technical College, said, “Susan has aspirations to become an Auto Physical Damage Appraiser, a position that will compliment her many years of dealing with people as an insurance agent…She looks at every challenge as an opportunity, and her passion for learning does not go unnoticed. Of all of the students in my class, Susan stands out as the one who really has her long-term goals in mind and it is my belief that she will be very successful in whatever facet of the collision industry she may choose.”
In addition to Hooper and Butler, six runner-up scholarships were awarded to students from career and technical schools and colleges around the United States. All of the runner-ups will receive a $2,500 scholarship to continue their education. In the Secondary category, the Education Foundation congratulates: Sara Berk from Harford Technical High School in Bel-Air, MD; Jessica Dancer from South East Career and Technical Academy in Henderson, NV; and Mariah Scott from Washburn Institute of Technology in Topeka, KS.
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In the Post-Secondary category, the Education Foundation congratulates: Erin Havard from WyoTech in West Sacramento, CA; Nina Hunter from Weber State University in Ogden, UT; and Samantha Neu from Washburn Institute of Technology in Topeka, KS.
I-CAR Education Foundation Executive Director Scott Kruger added, “This marks the 10 th anniversary of The Most Influential Women of the Collision Industry program and the I-CAR Education Foundation is proud to partner again with AkzoNobel on this scholarship program and reward these talented, future female collision industry employees.”
“Saluting the courage and determination to grow, improve and give back is a central theme to the Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry program,” noted Tim Loden, Director of Marketing for AkzoNobel Car Refinishes Americas. “We congratulate each scholarship recipient and are honored to play a small role in their career pursuits.”
Established in 1999, The Most Influential Women of the Collision Repair Industry program annually recognizes the leadership contributions that are made by a unique group of individuals that have dedicated themselves to the betterment of this industry and their communities.
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The I-CAR Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to securing donations that support philanthropic and collision repair education activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation visit us on the Internet at: www.ed-foundation.org.
(See Headlines)
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I-CAR ® ROUND TABLE OFFERS INDUSTRY A VOICE
IN THE FUTURE OF COLLISION REPAIR TRAINING
Hoffman Estates, IL – December 9, 2009 – As it continues to gather information from the collision repair inter-industry around the needs of training, I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Collision Repair, hosted a “Round Table” discussion that attracted over 70 industry professionals from across the United States.
Over the past 18 months, I-CAR has worked to analyze roles within the industry and understand the competencies within those roles and the necessary training to meet those competencies.
Round Table attendees had the opportunity to review the training organization's proposed new role-based curriculum model, or “Professional Development Matrix,” and offer comments around the competencies for the specific levels within various roles.
John Edelen, I-CAR President and CEO stressed the importance of training that is relevant to a specific role saying, “The organization of the training experience should be focused, provide the knowledge that is required to be successful in specific industry roles, and should progress over the course of careers by building on prior levels of experience and knowledge.” He added, “The recognized levels of training must increase the value of the training by linking it more closely to the performance of an individual's role.”
Jeff Peevy, I-CAR Director of Field Operations, also reviewed the way in which recognition programs might be restructured under the new training matrix in the future. “These programs need to have meaning to the industry,” said Peevy. “What we have heard is that recognition needs to be role-specific.”
Rich Dreyden, Director, Auto Claim Education for Travelers Insurance summed up the essence of I-CAR's work. “Career development is essential to retaining and attracting persons to the automotive repair and insurance industries. Today's I-CAR discussion centered on establishing career development paths that will provide consistent direction. Having better organization and structure on the training model can only help our industry.”
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John Donley, President and CEO of IAnet agreed saying that, “role-based training will provide a greater value to the independent appraiser as the training will be relevant to their day-to-day activities.”
Topics from the meeting were also presented through a blog that was opened by Kristen Felder, founder of Collision Hub (www.collsionhub.com), as the meeting was in progress. Dave Henderson, of AutoWatch, commented through the blog. “I like the direction I-CAR is going with this. It makes great sense.” He added that the Round Table was a “great meeting with very good input from those attending the meeting.”
“I-CAR has developed a sound strategy for making its training more relevant. Engaging in a peer review process involving multiple industry segments during development will make this initiative a success,” said Joe Skurka of BASF Corporation.
Edelen agreed that the meeting helped to move the organization further along the path of re-engineering its curriculum. “This is exactly the type of feedback that we were seeking from the industry. This has been an important learning experience for I-CAR in understanding how role-specific, relevant training will unfold within the context of this new training matrix.” He thanked participants noting, “you've served I-CAR very well and you've positioned I-CAR to serve you — the collision industry — better in the future.”
Participants were encouraged by the content of the meeting and the direction that I-CAR is moving in the development of the new curriculum.
Al Motta, Head of Technical Training for Chrysler said, “The I-CAR Round Table discussion is a validation that they are well-positioned to take collision repair to the next level of competency. This ensures our customers receive the best and safest repair.” He added, “I endorse and applaud their efforts and achievements.”
“I-CAR has redefined training for the collision industry with this new structure,” said Tony Molla, VP Communications for ASE. “The focus on specific, relevant training areas basedon the job descriptions will provide even more value to the individual and a broad spectrum of inter-industry segments.”
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Timothy Richardson, of UTI said, "My daily business relies heavily on I-CAR offerings and activities, and I am very excited about the direction they are taking. From my perspective, this event today was entirely necessary and it thoroughly met I-CAR 's goals as I understood them to be. Everyone involved in collision repair and refinish industry training depends, or should depend, upon the input of groups such as we saw here today. To see this group here today being mostly aligned and very much supportive of the general course that I-CAR has embarked upon is very encouraging to me. I am excited for the future of collision repair and refinish training with I-CAR continuing to be the standard."
Michael Quinn, Co-Founder of 911 Collision Centers based in Tucson, AZ said, “I haven't been this excited about I-CAR in over 15 years. The industry segments represented at this meeting is a testament to the support of the new I-CAR vision.” Quinn acknowledged that everyone in attendance came on their own accord to be a part of the discussion. “The new leadership and re-focus of I-CAR is moving the organization in the direction our industry needs.” he added.
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I-CAR, founded in 1979, is an international not-for-profit training organization dedicated to improving the quality, safety, and efficiency of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of consumers.
(See Headlines) |
CHICAGO PNEUMATIC DONATES $23,000 IN TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS
THROUGH I-CAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION
HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – December 7, 2009 – Chicago Pneumatic has donated $23,000 in tools, through the I-CAR Education Foundation, that will be distributed to 12 automotive collision schools across the country. The donated tools include Chicago Pneumatic orbital sanders and two different types of impact wrenches.
The recipient schools include:
- Rolla Technical Institute (Rolla, MO)
- Eden Career Technical (Ashville, AL)
- Yuba Community College (Marysville, CA)
- H. Grady Spruce High School (Dallas, TX)
- Heyward Career and Technology Center (Columbia, SC)
- Kansas City Kansas Community College Technical Education Center (Kansas City, KS)
- South Central Career Center (West Plains, MO)
- Applied Technology Education Campus (Camden, SC)
- Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center (Wenatchee, WA)
- Kennedy King College (Chicago, IL)
- Herndon Career Center (Raytown, MO)
- Atlantic Technical Center (Coconut Creek, FL)
Danielle Stevens, Marketing Communications Manager for Chicago Pneumatic, said, “We're thankful that the I-CAR Education Foundation is able to distribute these tools to schools and students that need them. Chicago Pneumatic has long been dedicated to technician education, from our support of the Tomorrow's Technician School of the Year program to our involvement in FFA and SkillsUSA competitions. We look forward to providing additional tools to schools through the I-CAR Education Foundation in the future.”
Scott Kruger, I-CAR Education Foundation Executive Director, stated, ”The automotive students of these 12 deserving schools will directly benefit through this donation as Chicago Pneumatic is providing them the opportunity to gain real experience with the tools they may be using in their careers. These 12 schools recently applied for the fall 2009
I-CAR Education Foundation's Ultimate Collision Education Makeover grant and through that application, their equipment and tool needs were identified and we were able to match those requests with Chicago Pneumatic's generous donation. Thank you to Chicago Pneumatic for their donation.”
All of Chicago Pneumatic's donations will be delivered to the 12 schools by the end of December to ensure that the schools and instructors can utilize the supplies for their spring semester. For additional information about Chicago Pneumatic visit www.cp.com .
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The I-CAR Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to securing donations that support philanthropic and collision repair education activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation visit us on the Internet at: www.ed-foundation.org.
(See Headlines) |
Kim Roberts, Fix Auto Barrie North wins Marketing and Promotions Award;
Awarded by the Barrie Chamber of Commerce
MISSISSAUGA, ON/ Nov 26, 2009 - Fix Auto is pleased to announce that Kim Roberts, Customer and Insurance Relations Representative for Fix Auto Barrie North has received an award for her marketing and promotions achievements at Fix Auto Barrie North.
“ We were so excited and honoured to receive the award. To be a considered a finalist alongside the other finalists is also a great honour. Our congratulations goes out to all of the other winners, finalists and nominees .” said Kim Roberts, Customer and Insurance Relations Representative, Fix Auto Barrie North.
The awards gala was held on November 11 th , 2009 at the Barrie Molson Centre attracting over 340 people from the Barrie Business community.
About the Awards Gala
Initiated by the Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce and the City of Barrie in 2003, the Barrie Business Awards program recognizes the contribution of local businesses to the continued growth and success of our community. Each year the program begins with a call for nominations in April, nominees are interviewed throughout the summer, the panel of judges meets in September, and finalists are announced in October. The awards are presented in November, during a gala that has come to be known as Barrie's premier business networking event.
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Fix Auto is an international network of collision repair shops, with over 170 locations across Canada. For more information, please visit www.fixauto.com .
(See Headlines) |
GEICO Fined For Not Paying Prevailing Labour Rates at Shops
According to a news release from the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers in Minnesota (AASP-MN), Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce, Glenn Wilson, has issued a Consent order to GEICO Insurance Company alleging that the company violated Minnesota statutes. GEICO was ordered to pay a civil penalty of $30,000 and to cease and desist from any further violations of the Statute.
The Order was issued based on allegations that GEIO paid an alleged "prevailing rate" to Minnesota body shops that was less than the total charged by the body shops for certain repair costs, and that this practice results in certain insureds or claimants paying claim amounts that should have been paid by the insurer. The Order cites a statute which requires insurers "to pay all costs for the satisfactory repair to the insured's or claimant's vehicles." The Commissioner also ordered GEICO to contact the insureds or claimants referred to in the Order and provide re-imbursement for the amounts that they were required to pay out-of-pocket to body shops. GEICO agreed to informal disposition of the matter without a hearing and accepted the terms of the Consent Order.
More information is available at www.aaspmn.org
(See Headlines)
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NACE Moving to October- Will No Longer Compete With SEMA
Organizers have announced that next year, NACE, the International Auto Body Exposition will again take place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Centre but the dates have been changed to ensure that competition is no longer a problem.
The next NACE show will start with conference sessions on Sunday October 10 with the show starting on Monday October 11 and finishing on October 13, 2010.
This year NACE was held in early November, but was competing during "Industry Week" with the Specialty Equipment show, a much larger event which drew vendors and attendees from NACE. Although NACE exhibitor numbers were close to the year before and attendance was only down 8%, Automotive Service Association chair Ron Pyle , was concerned that SEMA was soliciting booth exhibitors at the NACE show, and promised that NACE would take definitive action to maintain a solid and valuable show for the industry specifically in the collision repair, autobody and auto refinishing areas.
A number of coatings firms had previously left the NACE show in favour of SEMA and efforts were promised to retain the NACE show value and importance as the leading exhibit for the industry.
(See Headlines)
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KEYS FOR 19 NEW HONDAS STOLEN- FIVE NEW HONDAS MISSING
Thieves entered the Halton Honda dealership on Fairview Street, Burlington sometime between 5:00 pm Saturday and 7:00 am Monday and drove off with five new Honda cars and 19 set of keys.
The five missing vehicles include four 2010 Honda Accords, two black and two white and a grey 2010 Honda CRX.
Police are looking for a suspect vehicles- a 2000 four door Honda Civic , light -coloured with a skirt kit and rear spoiler.
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 905 825 4747 ext. 2357
(See Headlines)
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CARCONE'S RECYCLING AND OARA DONATE TO LINDEN FUND
Carcone's Auto Recyclers and the Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association (OARA) presented the Linden Fund, a well-know industry charity, with a cheque for $10,000.
Members of the association have agreed to pay an extra $20 per vehicle that they acquire through the Retire Your Ride vehicle recycling program, with those proceeds going to a wide variety of charities throughout the province.
Retire Your Ride is an initiative of the Government of Canada, designed to enable people to get their high-polluting cars off the road and reward them for doing that. The program is committed to improving air quality by responsibly recycling vehicles and aims to retire at least 50,000 vehicles per year until March 31, 2011. OARA operates the call centre for the program in Ontario, and has been awarded for the establishment of the auto recyclers Code of Practice being implemented to support the program by the Automotive Recyclers of Canada.
Michael Carcone , owner of Carcone's Auto Recycling in Aurora says," The Linden Fund has been our charity of choice because we the Carcone family can relate to the very reason the Linden Fund was established."
(See Headlines)
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COLLISION REPAIR TRADE ASSOCIATION OFFERS TRAINING
COURSES FOR LESS THAN $3 EACH
WHMIS, ISOCYANATES and AUTOMOTIVE LIFT TRAINING
are some of the courses being offered.
Calling it a major shift in how training is offered in the collision repair industry, the Collision Industry Information and Assistance.com (www.ciia.com ), representing Ontario-based collision repair associations, today started offering online training in 23 different courses for less than $3.00 each. "Our members have been asking about isocyanate and Vehicle Lift Safety in order to meet Ministry requirements in their shops, and we wanted to provide for them a quick, easy inexpensive training solution. In cooperation with E.A.G.L. Enterprises in Pickering, Ontario, we are now able to offer health, safety and management training courses online that shops and staff can access at any time," says Mark Timson, a Caledonia area shop owner and a director of www.ciia.com "Our instructor-led WHMIS course and our six-night Basic Estimating course are popular and are taken at our training centre or at a shop location. Also, we wanted to offer programs to help member shops that were more geographically distant. Vehicle Lift Safety courses are important and we could not arrange for a physical delivery of that course to date." Member shops can access the collision repair industry web site at http://www.ciia.com/provinces/ontario/itraining.html . Registration forms can be faxed, e-mailed or completed online. Member shops can call Monica at 1 866 309 4272 for more information. Member shops pay $60.00 plus GST and get access to any or all of the courses for a full year. Completion documents are provided after the member successfully completes an individual course exam online. A training certificate identifying all courses taken is issued annually. Other courses offered include Fire Safety, Back Safety, Due Diligence, Joint Health and Safety Committee, Understanding Bill C-45, Safety Inspections, Office Ergonomics, Stretches and Heat Stress.
For more information or to access online training courses call 1 866 309 4272 or e-mail info@ciia.com
(See Headlines) |
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