I-CAR strengthened its ongoing support for emerging technicians by participating in the 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, held June 23-27 in Atlanta, the country’s largest showcase of career-ready talent in the skilled trades.
At the event, which hosted more than 16,000 attendees and 6,000 student competitors, I-CAR provided hands-on experiences and education aimed at bridging the industry's talent gap. The organization featured an interactive booth offering virtual reality demonstrations and career development resources tailored to the collision repair field.
Highlighting the importance of new technologies, I-CAR hosted a session on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) calibration, an increasingly vital skill set in modern collision repair. The session targeted students, instructors and advisors seeking to stay current with evolving vehicle safety systems.
In addition to training opportunities, I-CAR supported student competitors by donating personal protective equipment, distributing celebratory gift bags, and sponsoring a professional photo gallery for participants and their families.
"I'm proud of our dedicated volunteers for turning their passion and expertise into meaningful work that guides future technicians," said Lori Barrington, I-CAR vice president of delivery and a member of the SkillsUSA Collision Repair Technology Committee.
I-CAR said its presence at SkillsUSA aligns with a broader mission to provide lifelong learning and support to collision repair professionals.
"SkillsUSA is a powerful way to engage emerging talent and reinforce that I-CAR is their partner throughout their careers," said Arianna Sherlock, I-CAR vice president of marketing. "We offer programs and resources that meet them where they are and grow with them as the industry and their skills evolve."
The SkillsUSA National Conference, held annually each June, celebrates students in the skilled trades across 115 competition categories, promoting workforce development and industry collaboration.
