Sherwin-Williams assembles shop supply kits for vocational schools
At the recent Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes National Sales Meeting, more than 600 team members assembled more than 700 shop supply kits to donate to aspiring vocational students and their schools around the country.
Each assembled shop supplies kit was more than $130 a piece and included over a dozen pieces of practical, real-world shop floor items, including personal protection equipment, shop tools and a special coupon good for future equipment or repair project needs at any Sherwin-Williams Automotive branch.
Vendors supplying items to the kit included 3M, SAS, Motor Guard, and FASTLINE™ (Sherwin-Williams collection of professional-grade associated products). To help identify the recipients, Sherwin-Williams worked with CREF (Collision Repair Education Foundation), which also handled the shipping and distribution logistics.
“This kind of industry-driven team building boosts employee engagement and collaboration while enhancing communication among our own teams,” says T. J. Amabile Vice President of Sales, Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes. “Not to mention, it provides a significant sense of pride and personal achievement in knowing we’re helping the industry’s future talent, today. All these shop supply kits are destined for vocational schools to provide essential tools and supplies to students, helping bridge the gap between education and real professional practice.”
Collision Repair Education Foundation hosts 2026 Spring Career Fairs
The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is preparing to kick off its Spring 2026 High School and College Transportation Student Career Fair circuit.
CREF’scareer fairs connect hundreds of students with local and national employers. These events provide a platform for shops to showcase the diverse career paths available – from high-tech diagnostics to management and insurance roles.
Career Fair schedule:
- March 24: Hawkeye Community College (Waterloo, IA)
- April 7: Indiana State Fairgrounds (Indianapolis, IN)
- April 23: Collin College (Dallas, TX)
- April 28: 3M Training Facility (St. Paul, MN)
- May 6: West-MEC (Phoenix, AZ)
- May 7: Universal Technical Institute (Long Beach, CA)
- May 15: Bucks County Technical High School (Fairless Hills, PA)
National Auto Body Council announces Keys for Change program to drive funding for community programs
The National Auto Body Council announced a new initiative allowing automotive companies and consumers to donate vehicles to support the Changing and Saving Lives Foundation.
The program, called Keys for Change, helps fund the NABC Recycled Rides program, which provides vehicles to individuals and families in need, as well as the NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication program, which provides training to first responders. Through the program, individuals can donate unwanted vehicles through a streamlined, tax-deductible process while supporting the foundation’s charitable efforts.
By submitting the donation request online or by calling 888.350.KEYS, donors can arrange for the free pickup of their vehicle, coordinate their donation and receive their donation receipt. The Changing and Saving Lives Foundation Keys for Change program is available nationwide.
NABC Recycled Rides® Program Delivers Vehicles to Families, Veteran in Need
Several individuals and families received life-changing transportation in recent weeks through the The National Auto Body Council® (NABC®) Recycled Rides®, made possible by insurer vehicle donations and the work of collision repair partners who refurbished the vehicles before presenting them to recipients in need.
On Saturday, Feb. 28, three Northern California residents received refurbished vehicles through the program. The vehicles were donated by USAA and restored by technicians at G&C Auto Body. Recipients were selected and vetted by the Crozat Family Foundation. The donations aim to provide reliable transportation so the recipients can maintain employment and care for their families.
On Tuesday, March 3, Brittany Cline, a single mother, received a refurbished 2021 Ford EcoSport S. The vehicle was donated by GEICO and repaired by Caliber Collision technicians before being presented through the NABC Recycled Rides program.
On Friday, March 6, Samara Scarver, a U.S. Navy veteran and mother of three, received a 2025 Subaru Forester. The vehicle was donated by Allstate and refurbished by Fix Auto South San Diego before being presented through the NABC Recycled Rides program.
YANG announces ‘Fueling the Future’ student scholarship
The Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG), part of the Auto Care Association, has launched a new student scholarship aimed at supporting the next generation of automotive aftermarket professionals.
Created in partnership with the University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF) and the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA)’s Modern Industry eXpertise (MiX) Council, the new “Fueling the Future” scholarship will award $2,500 to a student pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket.
“We’re excited to add the Fueling the Future scholarship to our ‘Giving Back’ initiatives at YANG,” said Tanya Hunt, chair of YANG. “It’s an honor to help support a student pursuing a career in this industry.”
The scholarship is part of the broader Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship Program, which will award more than $900,000 in scholarships for the 2026–27 academic year. The program supports students enrolled in two- and four-year colleges, as well as ASE/NATEF-certified automotive, collision repair and diesel programs.
Students can apply for hundreds of scholarships from more than 40 industry organizations through a single application.
Applications for the Fueling the Future scholarship are open through March 31.
GEICO’s Derrell Burgin joins Plasnomic Plastic Repair Alliance Council
Plasnomic has announced that Derrell Burgin, senior director of physical damage claims at GEICO, has joined the organization’s Plastic Repair Alliance Council.
Burgin brings more than 35 years of experience in the collision repair and insurance sectors. He began his career as a collision repair technician before moving into estimating and eventually transitioning into leadership roles within GEICO’s physical damage division, where he has worked for more than 27 years.
“Derrell represents the leadership this industry needs right now,” said Mario Dimovski, head of the Plastic Repair Alliance Council. “He understands plastic repair from the shop floor to the claims office. His experience strengthens our commitment to unify best practices, elevate technical education, and build a framework the entire industry can rely on.”
Call for speakers at CIECA's 17th annual conference
CIECA is looking for thought leaders and industry professionals to provide insights at the upcoming CIECA CONNEX 2026, which will be held at the Hilton Palacio del Rio in San Antonio, Texas, September 29-Oct. 1. This year's theme is "The Rise of Software-Defined Vehicles: Collision Industry Impacts."
The annual event bridges the gap between business and technology and offers attendees a perspective that addresses the interests of both.
Speakers are invited to share knowledge and expertise on new technologies that may impact the industry. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 15.
Sponsorship opportunities open for 2026 ASE Instructor Training Conference
Sponsorship opportunities are now available for the 2026 ASE Instructor Training Conference, scheduled for July 20-23 in Frisco, Texas.
Hosted by the ASE Education Foundation, the conference is one of the largest training events for automotive educators and is expected to attract more than 300 high school and college instructors from automotive, collision repair and truck programs across the country.
“Sponsors of our event will get front-row access to the largest automotive instructor training conference in the nation,” said Mike Coley, ASE Education Foundation president. “We offer a variety of sponsorships that will allow companies and organizations to connect directly with 300 plus high school and college auto, collision and truck instructors.”
For more information about sponsorships, contact George Arrants, vice president of the ASE Education Foundation at george.arrants@aseeducation.org.
