HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — The I-CAR Tech Centre, in association with Celette North America, Inc., hosted the United States WorldSkills competition participant in preparation for the upcoming Autobody contest in Shizuoka, Japan.

Phillip Lord, a collision repair technician at Gurley Leep in Mishawaka, Ind., will represent the United States in the competition that takes place November 14–21. Initial training for the competition took place at the I-CAR Tech Centre in Appleton, Wis., June 12 – 14.

Primarily, Lordlearned how to set-up Celette equipment for measuring and part replacement activities. Greg Fritz conducted the training for Celette. Celette will supply the fixture benches used at this year’s competition.

“We have the equipment and space and wanted to help prepare Phil for the international competition,” said Jason Bartanen, I-CAR Tech Centre Development Manager.

Terry Angell, an Instructor at Warren Tech in Lakewood, Colo., who will accompany Lord to Japan added, "we're very appreciative that I-CAR and Celette have teamed-up to prepare Philfor this challenge. Phil is a quick learner and we're confident that he'll do an excellent job representing the United States at the WorldSkills competition."

The WorldSkills competition is held every two years and this is the first time the I-CAR Tech Centre has held training in preparation for the competition.