Financial Relief Felt at I-CAR Academy Presentation During ASE conference
Following the announcement of the I-CAR Academy, a new program designed to educate and recognize entry-level technicians, I-CAR has been actively promoting this new curriculum. This program is set to replace the Professional Development Program-Education Edition (PDP-EE) , the platform for their old curriculum. One of their initial promotional activities was a seminar held during the ASE Certifications Instructor Training Conference on July 18 in Minneapolis.
The seminar was presented by Terry Ticel, the associate vice president of collision repair for I-CAR, and Tom McFinch, the senior manager of field sales for career and technical education for I-CAR.
The focus of the seminar was the methodology behind the curriculum of the I-CAR Academy. It highlighted the differences between the new program and the PDP-EE, the ease of use of the new program, and a preview of the online interface for both instructors and students.
The most surprising revelation during the seminar was undoubtedly the price of the new program.
The I-CAR Academy is priced at $1,200 per annual license (July 1 - June 30) with no additional student fees, no end-of-program fee, and unlimited student access. Granted, the PDP-EE was $100 cheaper, but it became more expensive when you consider the $100 per end-of-program exam and the $50 per student addition.
Many who attended the seminar voiced that the institutions they come from often take issue with the cost of the curricula they use. Some have said they feel that they will have an easier time convincing their schools that they can utilize the I-CAR Academy.
A major difference between the I-CAR Academy and PDP-EE that McFinch strongly emphasized during the presentation, and directly with FenderBender, is who the I-CAR Academy, as a learning tool, is really for.
“I-CAR Academy is an entry-level program that really starts the technician from the basics,” McFinch said. “This program is going to take a student, who doesn’t know the difference between a slide hammer and a sledgehammer, and develop them to acquire the entry-level skills they’re going to need to become the most successful in the industry. We’ve talked to shop owners, and these are the five skills they’re telling us that technicians need.”
These five skills, or badges as they’re marketed as, include:
- Collision repair fundamentals: Provides students the foundational knowledge required for every technician who is just beginning their career as a collision repair technician.
- Disassembly and reassembly: Explores the tools and procedures necessary to remove and install exterior panels, both moveable and stationary, and interior parts, such as trim and seats.
- Plastic repair: Teaches students to identify tools and materials commonly used for the repair of plastic parts and identify proper techniques based on the type of damage.
- Aluminum and steel small dent removal: Explores the damage analysis and repair process for small dents on aluminum and steel exterior body panels, including specific techniques based on metal type and extent of damage.
- Preparation for refinish: Teaches students how to properly prepare panels for the application of topcoats.
Instructors or schools interested in the I-CAR Academy program can find more information at i-car.com/academy.
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