I-CAR is redefining the Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individual programs to meet the demands of a changing industry. Both the Gold Class Profession-als and Platinum Individual recognition programs will soon contain elements of tested and on-going training. The new requirements are easy to remember - just think "5&2, 10&2. 

These redesigned programs will meet the industry's needs by better enabling industry professionals to keep up-to-date with evolving technology and repair procedures.

Highlights of upcoming changes

• Effective January 1, 2007, both the Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individual recognition programs will require tested and on-going training. Beginning on this date, position-related point requirements will no longer apply and I-CAR will begin using the "5&2, 10&2" requirements. All new Gold Class Professionals applicants' employees must have earned 5 tested points, and all new Platinum Individual applicants must have earned 10 tested points. Active Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Indi-viduals will not be affected. A tested point is earned though a written post test or a hands-on I-CAR Qualification test.

• Also effective on that date, maintaining the Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individual designations is simple. All Platinum Individual applicants and employees of a Gold Class Professionals designated business must earn at least 2 points of tested ongoing training each year.

• All tested points can be earned through the following: I-CAR Live (also known as I-CAR Enhanced Delivery), I-CAR Online Training, I-CAR Virtual Training, I-CAR Qualification Tests, Collision TV, or I-CAR Industry Training Alliances' training providers.

"Collision repair processes and procedures change at the same pace as the technology that is incorporated into today's vehicles," stated I-CAR Director of Business Development & North American Operations Rick Tuuri.

"On-going training is no longer an option for the industry if we expect to provide complete and safe repairs for the consumer. Adopting these new requirements is a positive and necessary step for the collision industry, and ensures that the Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individual programs remain the benchmarks of the collision industry's dedication to professionalism and training."

Until January 2007, applicants for the Gold Class Professionals or Platinum Individual programs will continue to meet position-related point requirements.

All active Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individual participants will be grandfathered into the new requirements and will only need to meet annual on-going training point requirements.

For those currently working towards Gold Class Professionals or Platinum Individual qualification, you may want to consider qualifying before January 2007 using the position-related point requirements. Only two points of ongoing training will be needed annually to maintain the status.

For assistance, please call your I-CAR regional manager at 800.422.7456 or customer care at 800.422.7872. Additional information can also be found in the Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individ-ual sections of www.i-car.com.