I-CAR ® TO PREMIER NEW HYBRID & ALTERNATIVE FUEL PROGRAM
AT NACE 2008

Hoffman Estates, IL - September 18, 2008 - The world premier of the new I-CAR Live training program Hybrid Electric and Alternative Fuel Vehicles (ALT02) will take place at NACE 2008. This program is a follow-up to the popular Electric and Electric Hybrid Vehicle (ALT01) class and features new applications of hybrid technology and alternative fuel vehicles. I-CAR will also conduct Steel Unitized Structures Technologies and Repair (SPS07) which discusses advanced metallurgy, how it relates to collision dynamics and the impact of these new materials on the collision repair industry and Steel Full-Frame Technologies and Repair (SPS08) which offers understanding of full-frame vehicle engineering design techniques, new construction methods and materials, as well as vehicle-specific repair information.

Wednesday, November 5 th - 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

• World Premier - Hybrid Electric and Alternative Fuel Vehicles (ALT02)
• Steel Unitized Structures Technologies and Repair (SPS07)
• Steel Full-Frame Technologies and Repair (SPS08)

Wednesday, November 5 th - 1 - 5 p.m.

• Hybrid Electric and Alternative Fuel Vehicles (ALT02)
• Steel Unitized Structures Technologies and Repair (SPS07)
• Steel Full-Frame Technologies and Repair (SPS08)
  

Saturday, November 8 th , 2008 - 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

• Hybrid Electric and Alternative Fuel Vehicles (ALT02)
• Steel Unitized Structures Technologies and Repair (SPS07)
• Steel Full-Frame Technologies and Repair (SPS08)

These training programs are available at the reduced rate of $75 per class and are sure to sell out quickly.

Participants may pre-register for these I-CAR training programs as part of their NACE registration by visiting the NACE web site at www.naceexpo.com or by calling 866.860.1962.

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Join I-CAR in celebrating 25 years of I-CAR training in Quebec with a full day of events Friday, October 17, 2008 at the Hilton Montreal, in Dorval, Quebec.

Town Hall Meeting

I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, has opened online registration to its 2008 I-CAR Canada Annual Meeting scheduled for October 17 in Québec. The day-long event will open with a "Town Hall" meeting that will offer the findings of research on the training needs of the Canadian collision repair market as well as an opportunity for inter-industry professionals to provide feedback about specific training needs.

Registration

Industry professionals who are interested in registering for the 2008 I-CAR Canada meeting can do so ONLINE or go to www.i-car.ca/meeting .

Sponsorship Opportunities

Display your company's support of technical training and I-CAR by participating as a sponsor of this event. There are several sponsorship opportunities to choose from.

I-CAR Training Available

Complete I-CAR training and help achieve or maintain Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individual designations. Choose from programs in English or French.

Opportunities for I-CAR Canada Program Instructors and Volunteers

Program Instructors and Volunteers will not want to miss out on the day's events. This is an opportunity to learn about your role with I-CAR and how the Training Support Center and the Tech Centre support I-CAR Canada's efforts and much more.

Dinner & Recognition Program

This will be an excellent time for networking and socializing. A portion of the evening will be set aside to recognize all those who work hard to conduct I-CAR training in Canada. Entertainment will round out the evening.

AGENDA: Friday, October 17, 2008

·          7 - 9 a.m. Registration

·          8 - 10:30 a.m. Town Hall Meeting

·          10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Electric and Electric Hybrid Vehicles (ALT01) French

·          10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Steel Unitized Structures Technologies and Repair (SPS07)             English

·          11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Program Instructor and Volunteer Meeting

           2 - 6 p.m. Aluminum Panels and Structures Damage Analysis (DAM05) French

·          2 - 6 p.m. Steel Full-Frame Technologies and Repair (SPS08) English

·          6 - 7 p.m. Meet & Greet Reception

·          7 -10:30 p.m. Dinner & Recognition Program

Event Questions:

(See Headlines)

I-CAR ® , ASE, I-CAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION, AND NATEF TO HOLD DRAWING FOR CAR-O-LINER WELDER AT NACE 2008

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL / LEESBURG, VA - September 17, 2008 - For the fifth year in a row, I-CAR, ASE, I-CAR Education Foundation, and NATEF will co-sponsor a drawing at NACE; this year's contest winner will be awarded a Car-O-Liner CR 55 Aluminum Stud Welder and Dent Repair Tools. To be eligible to win the welder, entrants must be I-CAR trained as well as ASE-certified, or attend an ASE-certified NATEF career and technical school and college which also utilizes the I-CAR Live curriculum.

To participate in this promotion, eligible attendees can visit one of the participating organization's booths and fill out a registration form. The winner will then be randomly selected at the conclusion of Saturday's NACE exposition day and notified via phone.

NACE attendees can find these industry partners at:

- ASE & NATEF - NACE booth # N8623
- I-CAR & I-CAR Education Foundation - NACE booth # N2719
- Car-O-Liner Company- NACE booth # N3567

CONTACT:
Jolinda Ottum, I-CAR Marketing Communications Specialist
847.590.1198, Ext. 247
jolinda.ottum@i-car.com

Tony Molla, ASE Vice President Communications
703.669.6600, Ext. 614
tmolla@ase.com

(See Headlines)

Stan Dworak Passes Away

Long time appraiser in the southern Ontario area, Stan Dvorak passes away at 77 years of age.  He worked many years at Carter's Chev Olds, City and HMP Motors as a tech/manager and also for Wentworth Appraisal on Cannon Street.   He retired three years ago.

(See Headlines)

I-CAR ® OPENS REGISTRATION TO CANADA ANNUAL MEETING
AND "TOWN HALL" SESSION
ON OCTOBER 17

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL - September 12, 2008 -I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, has opened online registration to its 2008 I-CAR Canada Annual Meeting scheduled for October 17 in Québec. The day-long event will open with a "Town Hall" meeting that will offer the findings of research on the training needs of the Canadian collision repair market as well as an opportunity for inter-industry professionals to provide feedback about specific training needs.

The research, which has been funded by I-CAR, is part of a more focused approach that I-CAR has undertaken to identify common training needs and the potential repositioning of I-CAR in Canada to support those needs.

I-CAR President and CEO, John Edelen, said, "This a pivotal time for I-CAR. It is crucial that we gain a perspective on the level and nature of the Canadian inter-industry support for technical training and the role that I-CAR can play in addressing the needs of the inter-industry in the future."

I-CAR has scheduled its meeting in conjunction with the national meeting of the Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF) and the presence of participants for both events offers an opportunity for I-CAR to present the research to a broad base of inter-industry professionals in Canada.

The "Town Hall" meeting will include a presentation of research results, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Edelen and chaired by I-CAR Chairman of the International Board of Directors, Robby Robbs, which will offer a response to key findings. The session will conclude with an opportunity for input from the audience.

-More-

"This will be a very exciting and enlightening event," said Robbs. "The "Town Hall" discussion of the I-CAR sponsored research into the training needs of the Canadian market will provide an important base from which we can move forward. I am certain that many will want to hear, firsthand, the results of this research and the range of potential developments for our auto collision repair inter-industry in Canada that they may suggest. I am really looking forward to a solid exchange with Canadian stakeholders."

The "Town Hall" segment of the meeting is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. on October 17, at the Montreal Hilton, Dorval, Québec, and will open a day-long meeting that will also feature I-CAR classes conducted in French and English, opportunities for instructors and volunteers to learn more about the importance of their roles in the inter-industry, as well as an opportunity to network with other collision repair professionals. Registration for the Annual Meeting is currently open and available at www.i-car.ca/meeting or for more information contact Brandon Eckenrode at 847.463.5244.

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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)

Passing along news of this nature is never easy:  On Friday, Don Mclaughlin passed away. 

As some of you are aware, Don was a longtime HARA member and past Director of the automotive mechanical trade association, AARO, and will be remembered for his sunny disposition and positive attitude.  I'm sure that those of you who knew him will agree that his passing adds credence to the old axiom that "the good ones go first".

Don operated Good Turn Ride Centre in Hamilton and was the recipient of numerous awards for his work in support of automotive apprentices.  Many folks knew him as "Mr. Drive Clean", a moniker richly deserved given that he played a key role in the launch of Ontario 's emissions IM program.  He also volunteered his time for a Hamilton cable TV show about automotive repair and service.  Don was past chair of the Skilled Trades Alliance, an eager supporter of apprenticeship and automotive skilled trades awareness for young people, and a frequent winner of the trophy for best score at the HARA Golden Horseshoe Golf Tournament.

Our industry has lost one of its champions; Don McLaughlin will be dearly missed.

McLAUGHLIN, Don Peacefully at his residence on September 5, 2008, surrounded by his soul mate, friends and family Donald F. McLaughlin in his 59th year. Beloved partner of Diana Gunderman. Adored father to Sarah, Marcus, Rick, Cameron and Tesla. Predeceased by his parents John and Marie McLaughlin. Don will be missed by his brother Jerry (Marilyn) McLaughlin. Dearest uncle to Alan, Jason and Michelle. Don was the owner operator of Goodturn Ride Centres for over 30 years in the Hamilton area. He was very proud of the fact he had served over 26,000 customers. A very active business person in the community Don supported and was very much involved with Drive Clean Committee, Skilled Trades Alliance, AARO and Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program. Diana and Don are proud to establish a bursary at Mohawk College to help meet the financial needs of students who are pursuing careers in the automotive sector. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Don McLaughlin Memorial Award at Mohawk College would be gratefully appreciated. A very special heartfelt thank you to Dr. Mitch Levine for his unending support and love to Don and his family. Visitation at BAY GARDENS FUNERAL HOME, 947 Rymal Road East (between Upper Gage and Upper Ottawa), HAMILTON (905-574-0405) on Monday from 6-9 p.m. and Tuesday 12 p.m. until 9 p.m. Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel on Wednesday, September 10th at 11a.m. Following the service Don will be taken to Bayview Crematorium for cremation while his family and friends Celebrate his Life with a luncheon at the funeral home reception rooms. Please sign the online Book of Condolence at www.baygardens.ca

(See Headlines)

I-CAR ® Education Foundation Now Accepting Applications For
The 2008 Instructor Of The Year Award

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL - September 5, 2008- The I-CAR Education Foundation is now accepting applications for the Education Foundation's Instructor of the Year award. The winner of the award will receive an expense-paid trip to NACE 2008 where the instructor will be recognized for their achievement.

This award is open to all collision repair instructors teaching at career and technical schools and colleges. Members of the industry can nominate an instructor for this award by visiting www.ed-foundation.org and clicking on "Nominate an instructor for the I-CAR Education Foundation Instructor of the Year Award." Collision repair instructors can nominate themselves by visiting www.ed-foundation.org and clicking on the "Nominate myself for the I-CAR Education Foundation Instructor of the Year Award."

"The Education Foundation looks forward to receiving all nominations for the Instructor of the Year Award," said Melissa Marscin, Development Administrator for the I-CAR Education Foundation. "It is an honor to have the opportunity to recognize those instructors, especially when you consider the important role that they play educating the future workforce of the collision industry."

All applications need to be submitted by September 30, 2008 in order to be considered for the award. Winners will be notified in early October in order to schedule their trip to NACE.

###

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)

Vehicle Owner Wins Dispute; Insurer Must Pay Bodyshop Bill Plus Interest

A two-year-old disagreement between an Alberta resident and his insurance carrier over a collision repair bill has been settled by a provincially-appointed umpire with most points being decided in favor of the customer. Victor Marciano , executive director of the provincial automotive repair association, says the case has important implications for clarifying the rights and responsibilities of customers and bodyshops.

In Alberta , when an argument over the cost of repairs arises, the Insurance Act requires that both parties chose an appraiser. The appraisers submit their reports to the umpire, who makes a determination in the matter. The names of both parties in the dispute have been withheld by request.

In this case, the umpire, John Dawson-Edwards, P.Eng, determined that a bodyshop specializing in repairs to premium vehicles can ask for, and can reasonably expect, higher hourly rates than the local norm.

The umpire also supported the customer's right to have the repair conducted by the bodyshop of his choice, even if shops located closer to the site of the collision had similar capabilities.

Another aspect of the dispute centred on whether an expensive, rarely used welding machine should be included in the overhead portion of the labour rate, or whether it can be charged separately. The umpire agreed with the customer's appraiser that a separate sublet fee for this equipment was reasonable and acceptable.

The items in dispute in this case totaled about $2200. Most were decided in favor of the customer, plus the insurer must pay interest on the total amount of the claim (more than $20,000), which it had withheld from the customer. Both parties share the cost of the umpire, about $3000.

(See Headlines)

HIGH SKILLS, HIGH HOPES

McGuinty Government Prepares Even More Students For Future Jobs

High Skills Training for Youth

It's every student's dream - finding a career that matches their interests. Now, more Ontario high school students will get that opportunity.

The government is expanding its Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) program by adding two majors: Community Safety and Emergency Services and Information and Communications Technology. This will help even more students train for careers in fields such as fire protection, telecommunications and computer engineering.

Students learn on the job and in the classroom. They also earn valuable industry certifications, including first aid and C.P.R. qualifications. The program allows students to customize their learning, giving them more opportunity to explore career goals. Thanks in part to this program, graduation rates have gone from 68 per cent to 75 per cent since 2003. That means 22,500 more students have graduated.

The Specialist High Skills Majors program is part of the government's plan to invest in the skills and education of its people.

QUOTES

"We're helping students tailor their education so they can take charge of their futures and reach their full potential," said Premier Dalton McGuinty.

"By providing these innovative learning opportunities, we are seeing more students engaged in high school and - more importantly - graduating," said Education Minister Kathleen Wynne.

QUICK FACTS

• SHSM programs are offered in 338 Ontario high schools.
• About 14,000 students are enrolled in one of 14 available majors .
• The program is now available in all school boards across Ontario.

LEARN MORE

Read student success stories.

Learn more about other ways Ontario is helping students succeed.

See what happened when a mom got more involved in her daughter's education. 

See also:

• Video: High Skills Training for Youth

(See Headlines)

ABRA Auto Body & Glass Contributes $2,500 TO the I-CAR ® Education
Foundation to SUPPORT THE COLLISION INDUSTRY

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL - August 29, 2008- ABRA Auto Body & Glass contributed $2,500 in July to support the I-CAR Education Foundation mission. This contribution to the Education Foundation's Industry Partners Annual Fund will support many Education Foundation activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry.

"We are very grateful to ABRA Auto Body & Glass for their support of the I-CAR Education Foundation," said Chris Evans, Chairman of the I-CAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees. "The industry needs to support the education system as that will become the source producing future members of the collision industry. ABRA Auto Body & Glass realizes the importance of this education system and has set an example with their donation. We hope that other organizations will follow in their footsteps and support collision repair education as well."

"The future of our industry relies on a having properly trained pool of employees to choose from", stated Rollie Benjamin, President and CEO of ABRA. "It's to our benefit, and the benefit of other collision repairers, to support the I-CAR Education Foundation's training effort."

ABRA Auto Body & Glass is a national damaged vehicle repair company specializing in collision repair, paintless dent removal, and auto glass repair and replacement. Started with one repair center in 1984, they have grown to ninety-two facilities in eleven states. Their plans for accelerated national growth over the next several years include acquiring existing facilities and building new locations. For more information, visit www.abraauto.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 .

Hybrid-Electric Cars Subject Of Evening Course At Centennial College

With hybrid-electric vehicles becoming commonplace on Canadian roads, more and more auto technicians and drivers are curious about what goes on under the hood of these gas-saving cars and trucks.

To that end Centennial College, in collaboration with the Canadian Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) Council, is offering a new training course on hybrid vehicle technology -- the first of its kind to be offered in Canada.

The 16-hour training course is designed to give participants an understanding of hybrid-electric technology, including critical safety issues and how to perform routine maintenance and service on current production hybrid component systems from leading manufacturers such as General Motors, Honda and Toyota.

The part-time course is intended for practicing automotive technicians that want to offer aftermarket service. It is also an invaluable aid to service advisors, autobody repairers or tow-truck operators who may be first at an accident scene involving a hybrid. Hybrid vehicle owners and enthusiasts can also enrol, although the level of technical information may be high for many laypersons.

A hybrid-electric vehicle combines a conventional gasoline engine with an electric motor fed by an on-board rechargeable energy storage system. The presence of the high-voltage electrical system can be a potential hazard to technicians and shade-tree mechanics who wish to work on these vehicles.

Centennial's hybrid technology course begins Sept. 17 at its Ashtonbee Campus in Scarborough. The course is scheduled on Wednesday evenings in four-hour blocks over four weeks. A second class begins on Oct. 22.

For more details, visit www.centennialcollege.ca/parttime.

(See Headlines)  

I-CAR ® TO PRESENT RESEARCH AND SEEK FEEDBACK FROM CANADIAN AUTO-COLLISION REPAIR INTER-INDUSTRY AT "TOWN HALL" ON OCTOBER 17

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL - August 19, 2008 -I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, has refocused its efforts in the Canadian market and will present the findings of research that it has undertaken at the

I-CAR Canada Annual Meeting scheduled for Friday, October 17 in Quebéc. The meeting will not only be an opportunity to hear the conclusions of the research, but will also serve as an invitation to inter-industry professionals to respond and share their thoughts.

I-CAR President and CEO, John Edelen, said, "I-CAR has undertaken the serious task of conducting research specific to Canada that will help us identify the training needs and level of support required by a training organization - as well as the potential role of I-CAR - in the Canadian auto collision repair inter-industry."

The research, which has been funded by I-CAR, will allow the training organization to take a more focused approach in identifying common training needs and the potential repositioning of I-CAR in Canada to support those needs.

I-CAR has scheduled its meeting in conjunction with the national meeting of the Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF) and the presence of participants for both events offers an opportunity for I-CAR to conduct a Canadian inter-industry "Town Hall" meeting, open to inter-industry professionals, in which they can learn more about the key findings of the research and share their ideas on the future of training for the collision repair inter-industry in Canada.

The Canadian inter-industry "Town Hall" meeting will include a presentation of research results, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Edelen and chaired by I-CAR Chairman of the International Board of Directors, Robby Robbs, which will offer a response to key findings. The session will conclude with an opportunity for input from the audience.

The "Town Hall" is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. on October 17 th , at the Montreal Hilton, Dorval, Quebéc, and will lead into a day-long series of I-CAR and industry events.

###

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)  

Alberta Collision Labour Rates: $87/hour With Annual Increases for Inflation
By Victor Marciano

To arrive at a number that would fix our industry, we needed to look at what it would take to make collision repair attractive to future apprentices and current journeymen, and then work backward from that wage.

"If you were to pay me and everyone else $150/hour starting tomorrow, that would not immediately solve the problems in this industry!"

"Thirty years of pressure from our insurance partners have made us excellent managers."

"The best-case scenario is that with a drastic increase in pay we might graduate 500 technicians in Alberta over the next 7 years. That would not be enough to replace the technicians who will retire out of our industry over the same period."

EDMONTON (April 21, 2008)
I am staring out my window at 10 inches of snow during a late April blizzard and the radio is talking about close to a thousand collisions and vehicles ending up off the roads across Alberta in the last few days. It is time to think and talk about labour rates.

Last October, ASRA and 10 collision shops from around Alberta met with the Insurance Bureau of Canada and claims or appraisal managers for 10 major insurers. At this meeting I mentioned that many insurers were paying labour rates in the high $50s and several were just into the $60s. I said it was the opinion of ASRA that in the very near future the lowest price that insurers will pay will be over $60 and that, if the weather created more accidents, $70 was not unlikely before the end of 2007.

That provoked several comments. Jim Rivait of the Insurance Bureau of Canada put it most succinctly with two rapid fire questions: How did you come up with that number? Will prices above $60 solve any of the ongoing issues in the industry?

How did I come up with the $60 and $70 amounts?
My answer was that the marketplace was going to come up with that number, and the single most important determinant of $60 was that collision shops didn't think insurers were ready to accept the real number that was necessary. I thought that $60 to $70 was a step towards the right number, and probably as big a step as insurers could stomach.

Will prices above $60 solve any of the ongoing issues in the industry?
That was answered very quickly by one of the shop owners present. He stated "if you were to pay me and everyone else $150/hour starting tomorrow, that would not immediately solve the problems in this industry!" He continued, "We have screwed up this industry over the last 30 years and to fix it will take at least five to ten years. There are no workers and it is going to take time to create the workers. Time and money."

At that point, the most senior insurance manager in the room asked: "What is the right number? What should the labour rate be to solve the problems in the Collision industry?" It is the most important question an insurance executive has ever asked me and I want to share my answer to him with you.

I told him that to arrive at a number that would fix our industry we needed to look at what it would take to make collision repair attractive to future apprentices and current journeymen, and then work backward from that wage.

In the Alberta marketplace, any worker with enough gumption to get out of bed in the morning, put on his steel-toed boots, get to work on time, and have just a little "handyness" will make over $60,000 a year in the oil patch or the heavy construction industry. And, if they are any good, and want to work harder, or they have a trade, they will earn much, much more.

To compete, I felt that the collision industry needs to pay its journeymen an average of $35 per hour, straight time or flat rate - it doesn't matter. That would allow us to pay "the kid fresh off the street" about $18 per hour. That's $18 to push the broom, wash some cars and sign up to be a 1st year apprentice. Enough for them to hang around, learn something, and maybe develop affection for our trade. That may sound like a lot of money, but in Alberta, Costco pays more to run their tills and Tim Horton's pays $14, plus benefits to have someone pour coffee.

Eighteen dollars per hour for a kid who knows nothing and $35 for the average journeyman would likely be enough to lure new workers and retain some of our more experienced workers. Like I said, straight time or flat rate, it doesn't matter - many of the workers remaining in the industry have a heck of a time being 100% efficient and it will take $35 straight time to keep them. The ones who do well on $35 per hour flat rate will do very well. But then, there are many people in the oil patch, heavy construction and other industries with fewer skills and less drive than a top flat-rate technician, and they routinely have $150K plus years.

So where does the labour rate need to be to allow a shop to pay its average tech $35 and its know-nothing new hire $18 for every hour worked?
In other automotive and mechanical industries the answer is easy: the business bills out at three times what it pays its technicians. It has been that way for 50 years. It is a business model that is profitable and allows businesses to invest in staying current with training and technology.

However, the collision industry is more efficient than those other industries. Thirty years of pressure from our insurance partners have made us excellent managers and have created a different ratio of pay to bill. As near as I can tell, instead of paying employees one third of what they bill out, collision shops pay about 40% of what they bill. Right now, in Alberta a $60 per hour labour rate translates to about $24 per hour for the average journeyman. So, at 40%, to get to a marketplace competitive rate of $35 per hour for an average journeyman we need labour rates of $87 per hour. And we need to keep them competitive with the marketplace; that means they will have to track inflation - about 3% per year in Alberta.

$87 per hour seems like a lot given that the top paying insurance company in Alberta is at $70 and most are just over $60, but that is what it will take to make the collision industry competitive in terms of attracting the next generation of employees, and keeping this generation.

At the meeting, several insurers pointed out that this would be an increase of over $20 dollars, but only $11 dollars of that would go to employees. That is the other side of the equation, collision shops need that money to deal with technological change and bringing their facilities up to the level they should be at. Waterborne paint, new paint booths and respirations systems, new welders and frame machines - all of these investments are missing in Alberta's collision facilities. The extra money is needed to make these businesses attractive and progressive work places.

$87 per hour, indexed to inflation - and it needs to happen very, very soon. If we started tomorrow, it would still take 5 years for "fresh young kids" to become journeymen. And remember that more than 50% of the kids you hire at the competitive $18 per hour will wash out of the trade and never become journeyman.

The best-case scenario is that with a drastic increase in pay we might graduate 500 technicians in Alberta over the next 7 years. That would not be enough to replace the technicians who will retire out of our industry over the same period.

ONTARIO'S MAJOR AUTOMOTIVE TRADE ASSOCIATIONS TO WORK TOGETHER
ON BEHALF OF SERVICE PROVIDERS

OARA, AARO and CIIA.COM
will jointly partner and promote projects

Burlington, ON, Hamilton, ON and London, ON - August, 2008

Automotive recyclers and mechanical and collision repair service providers in Ontario now have a better opportunity to work together in support of key projects and initiatives, and to help further business relationships throughout the automotive service industry.

The three Ontario-based associations with large memberships in the automotive motive power industry in Ontario and have now agreed to more effectively work together on behalf of service providers.

After a meeting in Burlington, Ontario, the Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association (OARA) representing auto recyclers, the Automotive Aftermarket Retailers of Ontario (AARO) representing automotive mechanical repair facilities, and the Collision Industry Information and Assistance association (www.ciia.com), who represent eight regional collision repair associations, have started a process to better help one another and their memberships.

"With almost fifteen hundred members across Ontario, the associations felt that working together more effectively would be one of the best things we could do to help our respective industry sectors and members. We had many times in the past worked together to resolve common problems, and have concluded that a formal joint effort to address issues will provide more emphasis, better input and a broader consensus than any of us could achieve independently," said Bill Burkimsher, Executive Director of AARO.

The three associations, the largest in Canada's largest province, are affiliates of the National Automotive Trades Association (NATA), a national umbrella organization serving "grassroots" automotive service providers from coast-to-coast.

"This was a natural progression for us," said Steve Fletcher of the recyclers association. "With the mechanical and collision repair trades as our major customers, our Members can now have a better relationship with them." As well, says Steve, "we get much better feedback and keep ourselves better informed and involved on major issues."

The decision to work more closely was echoed by John Norris for the collision repair industry association. "We had often spoken together about issues that now can be more strongly supported and encouraged by all associations, not just one at a time."

For more information on the trade associations:

Automotive recycling  /   www.oara.com
Mechanical repair  /   www.aaro.ca
Collision repair/painting  /   www.ciia.com
National association  /   www.natacanada.ca

(See Headlines)

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2008 I-CAR ® CANADA
INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL MEETING ON OCTOBER 17

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL - August 8, 2008 - Don't miss the opportunity to join others in the collision repair inter-industry in Québec for the 2008 I-CAR Canada International Annual Meeting on Friday, October 17, 2008 at the Hilton Montréal Airport hotel in Dorval, Québec. This eventful meeting will offer the following:

Opportunities for I-CAR Canada Program Instructors and Volunteers

I-CAR program instructors and volunteers will be provided the latest information and future direction of I-CAR in a breakout session just for program instructors and volunteers.

Dinner & Recognition Program

Join I-CAR in recognizing program instructors and volunteers for their continued support and efforts to increase professionalism within the industry by conducting I-CAR training. These individuals serve as the 'frontline' of I-CAR to the industry and will be honored during this event. This will prove to be a great opportunity to network with existing industry friends and also meet with new contacts.

I-CAR Training

Morning and afternoon I-CAR classes will be available for industry professionals at a discounted rate to achieve or maintain their Gold Class Professionals TM and Platinum Individual TM designations. Choose from Electric and Electric Hybrid Vehicles (ALT01); Vehicle Identification, Estimating Systems, and Terminology (DAM01); Steel Unitized Structures Technologies and Repair (SPS07); and Steel Full-Frame Technologies and Repair (SPS08).

Sponsorship opportunities available!

Businesses can show their commitment to training by participating as an event sponsor. Please contact Joe Da Cunha at I-CAR Canada at 416.996.1949 for sponsorship opportunities.

Additional details and registration information will be available soon.

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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)

THINKING OF GOING TO LAS VEGAS FOR INDUSTRY WEEK?

REGISTER THROUGH US AND SUPPORT YOUR ASSOCIATION AT THE SAME TIME!
YOUR CODE IS "27"

The National Automotive Trades Association has partnered with the Automotive Service Association (ASA) in conjunction with their Automotive Service & Repair Week (NACE and CARS) for the purpose of promoting more Canadian participation at North America's premier annual auto industry event. NATA will have a booth at NACE and will receive credit for every new registration generated through our special online registration link.

REGISTER NOW!

For more information:
www.NACEexpo.com
www.CARSevent.com

(See Headlines)

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)

----------------------Autobody Profitability Workbook (82 pages)-------------------------

-------Issues Facing The Canadian Collision Repair Industry (39 pages)------------

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