Caliber Collision Centers, an Irvine, California-based operator of collision repair facilities in California and Texas, recently honored two individuals for outstanding achievement in the collision repair industry. Julio Gonzales and Scott Larkin, both first-year apprentices at Caliber's Chino Valley location, received MAC toolboxes worth $2,500 each for their outstanding progress in Caliber's Mentors At Work apprenticeship program. 

Caliber Collision Centers recently honored two first-year apprentices, Julio Gonzales and Scott Larkin. Both are employed at Caliber's Chino Valley, CA location, and received MAC toolboxes complete with collision repair tools worth $2,500 each for their outstanding progress in Caliber's Mentors At Work apprenticeship program. John Force, thirteen-time NHRA champion top-fuel funny car driver, presented the autographed MAC toolboxes to both apprentices. "These guys are our future," said Force. Pictured above are Caliber Regional Manager Chuck Owens, Julio Gonzales, Mark Claypool of Mentors at Work, John Force, Scott Larkin, Caliber VP Rick Reiss, and (kneeling) Caliber Center Manager Mike Roth and J.C. Baccus, Caliber's director of tech training.

John Force, thirteen time National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) champion top-fuel funny car driver presented the autographed MAC toolboxes to both apprentices. "These guys are our future," said Force. "I congratulate these kids on their hard work and perseverance, and I believe that a technician's toolbox is like their office. They personalize their toolboxes, just like a person does their office or cubicle. In time a technician's toolbox becomes an extension of themselves, complete with family photos, little league photos and meaningful possessions. They take a great sense of pride in their tools; it's how they make their living."

Both Gonzales and Larkin are participating in the Caliber Mentors At Work apprenticeship program under the watchful eye of J.C. Baccus, director of technician training for Caliber. Baccus, a veteran of 25 years in the collision repair industry, is one of the top technicians in the country and in 2004 was named the collision industry's "Mentor of the Year" at NACE.

"It was really cool to meet John Force and receive these awesome toolboxes," said apprentice Mike Larkin and Julio Gonzales. "Through the Mentors at Work Mentors At Work for giving us this opportunity to grow and learn the skills needed to become the best in the business." program we've completed over 100 different skills tests and in six months we've learned more about the collision repair industry then we ever imagined. We're extremely thankful to Caliber and Mentors At Work for giving us this opportunity to grow and learn the skills needed to become the best in the business."

Caliber filled the toolboxes with many of the tools most often used by collision repair technicians. "Tool costs can be a deterrent when attracting top quality people to this industry," said Rick Reiss, vice president, operations - California. "By offering a tool reward incentive package through our apprenticeship program, we have removed this barrier. We're thrilled that MAC Tools and John Force donated these toolboxes and having John here to present them in person was the icing on the cake."