Collision Engineering Career Alliance Awarded U.S. Department of Labor National Apprenticeship Guidelines
The Collision Engineering Career Alliance (Collision Engineering) announced that it has received the U.S. Department of Labor’s approval of its National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards. As a result, graduates will earn a nationally recognized Collision Engineering Technician Certificate from the U.S. Department Labor, according to the Collision Engineering Career Alliance.
“The Department of Labor’s approval of our National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards is a defining moment for Collision Engineering,” said John Helterbrand, national program director of the Collision Engineering Career Alliance. “It validates the work we have done to align education and industry, and it ensures students and employers alike can access a pathway that is nationally recognized and sustainable for the future. This is how we build the next generation of our workforce.”
Collision Engineering students participate in a two-year associate degree program designed around a hybrid, work-based learning model. Students rotate every eight weeks between classroom instruction and paid apprenticeships at qualified collision repair facilities.
NABC® Recycled Rides® delivers vehicles to two in need
On March 17, the National Auto Body Council® Recycled Rides® program donated a vehicle to Clarence Harvey, a Cleveland area man in need. The donation was completed in partnership with vehicle donor GEICO and repair partner Chardon Square Collision, a member of CollisionRight network.
At 24 years old, Clarence has overcome significant challenges, including being homeless as a teen. He does not own a vehicle and needed reliable transportation.
On March 21, a New Jersey veteran Luis Gutierrez also received a refurbished vehicle, in a donation made possible by the NABC Recycled Rides® program, vehicle donor GEICO and repair partner Branning Collision Centers. This refurbished vehicle will allow Luis to commute to work daily.
ASE and WrenchWay to host free Webinar on ASE Connects
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and WrenchWay are hosting a free webinar on Tuesday, March 24, at 2:00 p.m. ET. The webinar, titled ASE Connects Group Demo, will provide a short live group demonstration to show how ASE Connects works and how shops can get involved.
ASE Connects is an initiative led by ASE and WrenchWay that makes it easier for shops and dealerships to support local schools while building relationships with the next generation of technicians.
Grant MacIntyre Joins Auto Care Association as Director of Regulatory Affairs, Senior Attorney
Grant MacIntyre has joined the Auto Care Association as director of regulatory affairs, bringing extensive experience in federal regulatory policy, environmental law and administrative litigation, having spent time in both the public and private sector.
In this role, MacIntyre will support and lead the Auto Care Association’s regulatory and legislative engagement at the federal and state levels. He will serve as a key advisor on policy matters impacting the auto care industry, including automotive regulation, transportation safety, environmental policy and consumer protection.
“I’m excited to join the Auto Care Association at a time when regulatory and policy issues are increasingly shaping the future of the industry,” said MacIntyre. “I look forward to supporting our members and advancing policies that promote innovation, competition and consumer choice.”
Chilton Auto Body Acquires Marina Auto Body
Chilton Auto Body, headquartered in San Carlos, Calif., has acquired Marina Auto Body in Southern California. With this acquisition, Chilton expands its California footprint to 25 locations.
Marina Auto Body operates three locations: Marina del Rey, LAX/Inglewood, and Huntington Beach.
“Marina Auto Body has consistently prioritized taking care of people—our customers and our team— without ever compromising on quality,” said Marina Auto Body Founder Tom Williamson. “The entire Chilton team shares that same commitment, which makes this next chapter the right step for the Marina Auto Body team.”
The Collision Industry Foundation Announces Arnold Motor Supply’s Commitment to Annual Donor Program
The Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) announced that Arnold Motor Supply has once again pledged its support to the CIF Annual Donor Program, at the URGENT CARE level, which is the second highest tier of giving.
The program was launched in 2021 and was created to secure consistent and essential resources for the Foundation. According to CIF, these resources enable CIF to fulfill its mission of “Answering the Call” by assisting members of the collision repair industry affected by catastrophic events such as accidents, flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, or wildfires.
National Auto Body Council® Hosts First Responder Education Event in New Hope, MN
Rescue units from across the Twin Cities area gathered at a special National Auto Body Council® First Responder Emergency Education (F.R.E.E.™) program in New Hope, Minn. recently to help ensure drivers in the region get the best prepared response in case of an accident.
Safety advantages in newer vehicle often make it harder for first responders to rescue drivers and passengers .The F.R.E.E.™ program is meant to help prepare local first responder teams to rescue accident victims from these late-model vehicles. The program provides education and live demonstrations.
“The high-strength steel, mixed metals and advanced airbags can present additional danger for the first responder and accident victim alike if that first responder doesn’t know where to correctly cut that vehicle,” said Debby Robinson, executive director of the National Auto Body Council®. “Through this program, we train some 1,500 first responders annually to help ensure drivers are safer on the road.”
Fix Auto Lakeside Donates $600 to Support Mission Trip for Skyline Church Volunteers
Fix Auto Lakeside, located in the East County community of San Diego County, recently presented a $600 donation to support two young adults from Skyline Church preparing for a mission trip to Ecuador.
The funds were raised during the Lakeside community’s annual Spirit of Christmas celebration. Fix Auto Lakeside hosted a raffle, and after the event, the shop matched the amount raised.
“It’s meaningful to support these young adults as they travel to Ecuador to serve children and represent our community,” said David Smrekar, general manager, Fix Auto Lakeside.
