I-CAR redefining Gold Class professionals and Platinum individual programs

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Effective in 2007, the Inter-Industry Conference On Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) is redefining both the Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individual recognition programs to contain elements of tested and ongoing training. According to I-CAR, these redesigned programs will meet the industry’s needs by better enabling industry professionals to keep up-to-date with evolving technology and repair procedures.

Until January 2007, applicants for the Gold Class Professionals or Platinum Individual programs will continue to meet position-related point requirements. Highlights of the upcoming changes include:

    • Effective January 1, 2007, both the Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individual recognition programs will require tested and ongoing training. Beginning on this date, position-related point requirements will no longer apply and I-CAR will begin using new "5&2, 10&2" requirements. All new Gold Class Professionals applicants’ employees must have earned five tested points, and all new Platinum Individual applicants must have earned 10 tested points. Active Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individuals will not be affected.

    • Also effective January 1, 2007, maintaining the Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individual designations is simple. All Platinum Individual applicants and employees of a Gold Class Professionals designated business must earn at least two points of tested ongoing training each year.

    • All tested points can be earned through the following: I-CAR Live (also known as I-CAR Enhanced Delivery), I-CAR Online Training, I-CAR Virtual Training, I-CAR qualification tests, I-CAR satellite delivery, or I-CAR Industry Training Alliance training providers.

"Collision repair processes and procedures change rapidly as technology advances," stated I-CAR Director of Business Development & North American Operations Rick Tuuri. "Ongoing training offers I-CAR the opportunity to educate the industry on these changes, resulting in more complete and safe repairs for the consumers. Adopting these new requirements is a positive step for the collision industry, and will continue to position the Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individual programs as benchmarks of industry training dedication."

For more information, contact your I-CAR regional manager at (800) 422-7456, or visit www.i-car.com.