I-CAR has been designated as a Registered Apprenticeship Hub and is the recipient of a substantial Apprenticeship Building America grant, part of the U.S. Department of Labor's Investing in America program, aimed at expanding apprenticeship opportunities in high-demand fields, like collision repair.
"This generous funding positions the collision repair sector on equal footing with other trades, focusing on enhancing the quality, safety and economic stability of auto repairs," said John Van Alstyne, president and CEO of I-CAR.
The $7 million grant, to be disbursed over four years, will enable I-CAR to establish new Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) and engage with repair centers either independently or through collaborations with I-CAR Academy Schools. These efforts are expected to standardize and elevate the training available in the collision repair industry to levels seen in other skilled trades.
The introduction of these apprenticeship programs comes at a critical time. The collision repair industry is currently grappling with a significant shortage of qualified technicians, exacerbated by the increasing complexity of modern vehicles and a general decline in interest in trade careers. This gap has had detrimental effects on both repair shop efficiency and consumer safety.
"By improving training and support, we're not just upgrading skills but are also enhancing the overall economic health of our industry through increased workforce efficiency and revenue,” Van Alstyne said.
I-CAR, established in 1979, has served as a central, neutral resource across various segments of the collision repair industry. With a network that includes 14,000 repair centers, nearly 900 educational institutions, and numerous industry partners, the organization is well-positioned to implement effective and widespread apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs.
The introduction of RAPs by I-CAR is expected to fill the current skills gap and keep pace with the rapidly evolving automotive technologies, ultimately improving job prospects and economic outcomes in the collision repair industry.
