The I-CAR Academy, the organisation’s new entry-level curriculum programme, is now available to body shops after being introduced to schools earlier this year.
The program is designed to pave the way for technicians to gain training as they begin their careers in collision repair shops. Technicians who complete the program will have a solid foundation for the I-CAR Professional Level curriculum and Platinum Technician recognition, as well as for OEM and supplier training, I-CAR said in a press release.
“As our industry continues to battle through the talent crisis, the I-CAR Academy provides an industry-wide solution to the most critical time in a technician’s career: the beginning,” said John Van Alstyne, president and CEO of I-CAR, in the press release. “Our industry is in desperate need of technicians. For some, school is the right place to start, while others begin their careers in a shop. Regardless of where a technician enters the industry, they can count on the I-CAR Academy to provide them with a solid and relevant foundation for their future.”
Before launching the Academy, I-CAR asked a few facilities and schools to test the program, including Gustafson Brothers in California. Trish Ostrander, training and marketing manager at Gustafson Brothers, previously told Repairer Driven News that the curriculum was a great addition to the shop’s training program and provided more structure.
“It’s an apprenticeship program that teaches the fundamentals and curriculum from the beginning,” she said. “Now they can start with the additional knowledge of ‘why’ things work, coupled with their hands-on training. With this duo, they’ll master their craft faster.”
Arianna Sherlock, senior marketing director at I-CAR, previously told RDN that the academy is the first entry-level program I-CAR offers to shops that focus on attracting, training and retaining technicians. I-CAR says it is also the first program to offer a unified entry-level program to schools and repair shops.
The academy includes five core learning areas – collision repair fundamentals, disassembly and assembly, plastic repair, small dent removal from aluminum and steel, and preparation for repainting – with an award system similar to completing tasks in a video game.
The Academy program for workshops differs from the school version in that it offers additional training and best practices for workshop management to create a differentiated culture and provide effective mentoring, which is critical to the development, advancement and retention of technicians, according to I-CAR.
“We expect that investments in collision repair facilities that are committed to training and developing the next generation of technicians will pay off at their sites. They will benefit by helping to create a more productive, stable and engaged workforce, which in turn will enhance the public image of our industry,” said Van Alstyne.
In addition, technicians will learn the fundamentals of collision repair, such as safety and tool use, and will gain basic knowledge of shop operations, including estimating/repair planning, non-structural repairs, structural repairs, and repainting, as well as guidance on selecting a mentor.
“We expect collision repair facilities that adopt the I-CAR Academy to experience a number of benefits, including training confident new technicians who have a solid understanding of collision repair fundamentals, enabling them to make meaningful contributions from day one,” said Dara Goroff, vice president of planning and industry talent programming at I-CAR, in the press release.
“Research has shown that a lack of engagement in the early onboarding and training process and a lack of clarity about the career path lead to significant turnover. The I-CAR Academy is accessible, easy to implement in a workshop and reduces training time, resulting in increased productivity, longer employee retention and high levels of employee satisfaction.”
Body repair shop managers, shop owners and managers interested in the I-CAR Academy for their locations can learn more at i-car.com/academyshops.
I-CAR also offers Collision Careers, an industry-specific talent acquisition platform that promotes and educates on the long-term success and financial stability of the automotive collision repair industry. CollisionCareers.com provides students, parents and educators with decision-making tools, information and resources on the rewarding and lucrative careers in the collision repair industry, according to a press release.
Pictures
Featured image provided by I-CAR
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