Students and recent grads think that collision repair is more stable than traditional college-degree jobs, according to a new nationwide study conducted by CCC Intelligent Solutions in partnership with the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF)new nationwide study conducted by CCC Intelligent Solutions in partnership with the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF).
The Future of Collision Repair Workforce Study surveyed 475 high school and college students, technical and vocational students, and recent graduates who are open to pursuing a career in collision repair.
According to the findings, today’s students are actively drawn to collision repair when they understand how technology-driven modern repair environments have become.
"To build a strong future for the collision repair industry, we need to understand how the next generation views our field," said Andreas Hecht, SVP, head of OEM partnerships for CCC Intelligent Solutions and member of the CREF board of trustees. "By raising awareness of collision repair as a dynamic career path and providing training on the cutting-edge technology used by professionals, we can build a steady influx of talent for years to come.”
Stability, earnings drive interest
The study shows strong confidence in collision repair as a long-term career option, revealing:
- 95% of respondents are confident that collision repair is more stable than traditional college-degree jobs
- 74% believe a collision repair career offers higher earning potential than traditional college-degree jobs
- 31% are influenced by the promise of work-life balance and the flexibility and variety in tasks
- 81% of respondents want a career where they can work with their hands
- 82% of respondents want a career where they can use technology
- 95% said knowing they would regularly use advanced software and AI tools would increase their interest in a collision repair career
“It’s rewarding to see that incoming students view collision repair as a stable profession offering long-term career advancement opportunities,” shared Brandon Eckenrode, executive director, Collision Repair Education Foundation. “By continuing to collaborate across the industry, showcasing success stories, and providing scholarships, funding and technological training to students and schools, we can effectively raise awareness and create opportunities for students eager to join the profession.
There were also some findings regarding career awareness and misconceptions:
- 69% of respondents thought collision repair work was mostly done with manual tools
- 30% have concerns over the high physical demands of collision repair
- 29% expressed concerns about social stigma of trade work
CCC expands software access for schools
In response to the study’s findings, CCC has announced it will provide access to CCC ONE to every CREF member school — both current schools and future ones.
Since 2011, CCC has donated more than $75 million in in-kind contributions of CCC ONE software to hundreds of schools nationwide, helping students train on the same systems used in professional repair facilities.
“Our collision repair customers tell us that when they hire students trained on the same technology used to run their shop, they ramp up more quickly. CCC is committed to helping our customers get the most from their investment with us, which means investing in their future workforce,” said Mark Fincher, vice president, product management for CCC.
What it means for collision repair shops
For CCC, AI is about helping people do their best work, said Fincher. He said that today, 30,000 repair shops using CCC ONE have access to multiple AI tools, including Mobile Jumpstart that uses AI to generate an initial estimate.
“For skilled professionals, this speeds the estimating process so they can spend more time with the customer or on other value-added tasks,” he said. “For newer, or junior estimators, customers have told us that the solution can support training, allowing them to see the recommended steps and actions for a repair that they can then review and discuss with a skilled estimator."
The study highlights the importance of both industry and educational programs showcasing advanced repair technologies to current and future entry-level technicians, said Eckenrode.
“When both education and collision repair shops showcase advanced technologies, they’re bridging the gap between what students learn in technical school and what they can do in their careers,” he said.
He also noted that the study shows that hands-on exposure does two things: it demonstrates the level of technology used in the industry and highlights career growth opportunities, which is exactly what draws people to this field. “Shops that invest early in technician development and connect with educational programs create a pipeline of skilled professionals ready to meet industry demands."
