Crash Champions is taking professional development in collision repair to the next level with a new internal certification course designed to expand the skills of its technicians.
The MSO, which currently operates over 650 locations across 38 states, has long prioritized apprenticeship opportunities through its STEP platform and Associate Service Advisor Program. Now, its new Technician Training Program is meant to provide formal recognition for skill advancement and mastery and make learning more accessible for its technicians.
Digital tools and industry partnerships
Designed and developed by Crash Champions’ Collision Technology department, the new Technician Training Program offers real-time access to a growing digital training catalog covering the automotive industry’s latest tools, products, and vehicle advancements.
Through the program, Crash Champions body technicians can immediately access over 100 exclusive technical videos, achieve three certification levels (Level 1-Skilled, Level 2-Advanced, Level 3-Elite), and gain direct support from Crash Champions' Collision Technology team. It’s all available through the company’s internal intranet, making it accessible even via mobile devices at the stall level to support technician growth.
“We're really trying to push the envelope here and say we're going to go far and beyond just the bare minimum, because that's what makes you better as a technician,” said Dustin Harrier, vice president of training and technology at Crash Champions.
Harrier explained that these digital tools allow team members to learn in real time and maintain consistency across locations. If a technician needs a quick reminder when working on a frame rack, the Car-O-Liner Bluetooth, for example, the information is easily accessible by QR code.
“[They can] watch the video on how to re-pair the Bluetooth and they're up and running,” said Harrier.
While I-CAR certifications provide an important foundation for collision repair standards, Harrier noted it has limitations — industry-wide training isn’t designed to cover company-related processes, specific tooling, and more that techs may encounter on the shop floor. The new Crash Champions certification course is designed to fill those gaps, providing on-the-job guidance, real-time updates via QR codes, and access to manufacturer-specific procedures.
“By giving them access to all the content in the stall in real time, you hope that they kind of learn through osmosis and repetition,” said Harrier. “And then when it comes time to actually go take the credited course, it's the same material.”
Looking beyond a single organization
Crash Champions also partnered with industry leaders such as 3M, Pro Spot, Car-O-Liner, and KECO to develop many of the training modules available to technicians.
Harrier indicated that the thinking behind the certification course extends beyond internal training alone, reflecting broader challenges facing the collision repair industry as vehicles and repair procedures continue to evolve. He pointed to the pace of OEM updates and the need for closer collaboration across the industry.
“To be able to work with the ICAR and 3Ms of the world and go through and just say, ‘Hey, what do we need to change? What do we need to know? And better yet, what can we help influence in a positive way to work together and collaborate on?’” Harrier said. “That’s what tries to shift that paradigm for everybody.”
He explained that while the program is being deployed within Crash Champions, the underlying approach — real-time access to information, tighter OEM alignment, and continuous skill development — reflects changes he believes the industry will increasingly need to consider as repair complexity accelerates.
The future of onboarding
The new training program is officially underway, as Crash Champions recognized Chris Sandoval, a body technician from its Eagle Ranch, NM location, as the first program participant to become Level 1-certified.
And there are more to come. Crash Champions plans to integrate the new certification course into its onboarding process, ensuring that new hires begin their training from day one. Harrier explained that this approach allows team members to develop their skills in a structured, consistent manner from the start.
“We look at it as anybody from any walk of life should be able to come to Crash Champions and find a path to be successful. That's the goal.”
