In an effort to support the next generation of collision repair professionals, the Abra KLST Group recently visited students and faculty at the Hennepin Technical College Auto Body program in Minnesota, sharing industry insights and career opportunities.
During the visit, representatives from Abra St. Cloud, Abra Cloquet, Abra Elk River, Abra Duluth, Abra Princeton and Abra Auto Glass Minnesota and Western Wisconsin provided an overview of the collision repair and auto glass industry, discussed career paths within Abra, and highlighted the benefits of joining the field.
The initiative aimed to strengthen connections between students and industry professionals while fostering interest in automotive repair careers.
The visit was further enhanced by Abra’s partnership with the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), through which the company donated uniforms and Abra-branded sweatshirts to students. The KLST Group extended these contributions to multiple institutions, including St. Cloud Technical and Community College, Ridgewater College, Century College and Dunwoody College.
The engagements at Century and Dunwoody College were particularly notable, as they featured collaboration with Kris Joeckel from Abra Woodbury. Together, Abra representatives shared their passion for the industry, discussed the evolving career landscape, and highlighted the benefits of working in collision repair. Students expressed enthusiasm for entering the field, reinforcing the impact of these industry connections.
“We are proud to support programs like this, which not only provide critical education but also help bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application,” said Kedrick Johnson, owner of the six KLST locations. “It’s an honor to see these students being equipped for success in the industry.”
“I’m proud of the KLST team for creating such meaningful connections with these students,” said Damien Reyna, COO, U.S. Collision. “It’s important for us to engage with the next generation of talent, and their visit was an excellent opportunity to show these students the potential of a rewarding career in the collision repair industry.”
