The automotive program at Ogden High School in Utah now boasts a brand-new CTR9 resistance spot welder, valued at more than $42,000, thanks to a partnership between Young Collision, Precision For Collision and Car-O-Liner, facilitated by the Young Caring for Our Young Foundation.
The collaborative effort demonstrates a commitment by the three companies to equipping the next generation of auto repair professionals with the tools to succeed.
Precision For Collision General Manager Mike Hasko shows the donated spot welder to a group of students.
The donation also reflects a broader tradition of philanthropy embedded within the culture of the Young Automotive Group. Celebrating its centennial milestone this year, the organization has channeled nearly $7 million back into local communities through initiatives like the Young Caring for Our Young Foundation, led by Tami Olsen, recruiting and foundation director.
Through this foundation, Young Automotive Group has provided essential support to address hunger, clothing needs and education for children and families across Utah, Idaho and Montana. Projects such as the KIND Fund, which has supplied clothing to more than 6,000 children, and various literacy and teen homelessness initiatives show their commitment to making a tangible impact.
At Ogden High School, the foundation has donated a waterborne paint mixing system, hosted training sessions during automotive shop classes, and participated in career day events. Combined with the latest donation, the foundation’s contributions to the school have amounted to more than $75,000 in value.
This specific donation was formulated by a conversation between Chris Hudson, Young Automotive Group collision director, and Mike Hasko, general manager at Precision For Collision.
Initially, Hudson proposed repurposing older welders in Young Automotive Group’s possession for the school. "The budget wasn’t that far off from getting a new one," Hasko recalled.
Hasko then spoke to Car-O-Liner about the opportunity, and all three organizations collectively put together the money for the brand new CTR9 welder.
This donation can be seen as a tangible outcome of discussions held at the IBIS USA 2024 Conference in Anaheim, CA, last March. Both Hudson and Hasko attended the event, where industry leaders repeatedly highlighted the nationwide shortage of automotive repair technicians, according to both Hasko and Hudson.
Determined to take action rather than merely echo concerns, Hasko and Hudson turned the idea into reality.
“We wanted to actually do something about it,” Hasko said in reference to a conversation he had with Hudson at the event.
When Hasko received the call about the welder from Hudson, he jumped on the opportunity to make good on what they spoke about at the conference. The result was the donation of equipment that mirrors the cutting-edge technology used in modern collision centers, including Young Collision Center’s shop in North Layton, UT.
Beyond the immediate benefits of learning advanced techniques, the donation represents a pathway to meaningful careers in the automotive industry. Young Automotive Group’s commitment to fostering talent includes internships, flexible training programs and leadership courses that prepare young technicians to grow within the organization.
Hudson emphasized the importance of starting aspiring technicians early and providing the tools for success, noting that programs like Ogden’s foster young people who understand auto repair can be a career, not just a job.
“They’re not coming to us just looking for a dollar more an hour,” Hudson explained. “They’re looking for a career, and they understand the income potential in this field.”
This hands-on experience with top, modern equipment also accelerates the development timeline for aspiring technicians.
"It shaves years off the ramp period," Hudson said. “They’re two years ahead. It takes years off of potential investment to train faster and they’re a tech within a couple years instead of four to five.”
This efficiency not only benefits the students but also helps companies like Young Automotive Group maintain a skilled workforce. Notably, the organization currently faces no staffing shortages -- in part due to this type of community involvement that builds a direct pipeline to young, skilled workers.
While this initiative is significant, Hudson and Hasko both view it as a small step toward a larger goal.
“In the grand scheme of things, it’s a small gesture,” Hasko said. “The hope is it inspires others to follow suit.”
By equipping students with the latest tools and fostering excitement about careers in automotive repair, the donation addresses the industry’s most pressing challenge: attracting and retaining skilled talent.
Hudson summed it up best: “We can always buy another spot welder; it’s a big shiny box without the people working on it.”
