HONOLULU — The Auto Body and Painting Association of Hawaii (ABPAH) and GEICO have partnered for a new apprenticeship program, aimed at improving training and providing job opportunities in the auto body field, that was kicked-off by presenting Kuroda’s Auto Body, Inc. with a contribution to its apprenticeship activities at the shop located in Waipahu, Hawaii. The body shop was selected by ABPAH to pilot this new partnership with GEICO, to run through Sept. 30.
“The GEICO Apprenticeship Program is a great example as to one way the insurance industry can help head off the shortage of trained technicians in our industry, especially here in Hawaii,” says Madison Marie Spotts, president of ABPAH. “The lack of resources to pull from contributes to the current crisis-level shortage we are facing. With the continued rise in changes being made by the automobile manufacturers, it is imperative that the technicians who are repairing today’s vehicles are properly trained and have up-to-date equipment.” Tim Dayton, general manager of GEICO’s Hawaii office, adds: “Top training and competitive compensation are needed to attract new technicians to this growing field. We’re happy to help out any way we can.” GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is the largest private passenger auto insurer in Hawaii and the fourth-largest in the United States. It provides auto and motorcycle insurance coverage for more than eight million policyholders and insures more than 13 million vehicles. For more information, go to www.geico.com. | 
