I-CAR roundtable offers industry a voice in future of collision repair training

Jan. 1, 2020
I-CAR hosted a roundtable discussion that attracted more than 70 industry professionals from across the United States to gather information about the industry’s training needs.

I-CAR hosted a roundtable discussion that attracted more than 70 industry professionals from across the United States to gather information about the industry’s training needs.

Over the past 18 months, I-CAR has worked to analyze roles within the industry and understand the competencies within those roles and the necessary training to meet those competencies.

Roundtable attendees had the opportunity to review the training organization’s proposed new role-based curriculum model, or “Professional Development Matrix,” and offer comments around the competencies for the specific levels within various roles.

“The organization of the training experience should be focused, provide the knowledge that is required to be successful in specific industry roles, and should progress over the course of careers by building on prior levels of experience and knowledge,” says John Edelen, I-CAR president and CEO. “The recognized levels of training must increase the value of the training by linking it more closely to the performance of an individual’s role.”

Jeff Peevy, I-CAR director of field operations, also reviewed how recognition programs might be restructured under the new training matrix in the future. “These programs need to have meaning to the industry,” says Peevy. “What we have heard is that recognition needs to be role-specific.”

Rich Dreyden, director, auto claim education for Travelers Insurance summed up the essence of I-CAR’s work. “Career development is essential to retaining and attracting persons to the automotive repair and insurance industries. Today’s I-CAR discussion centered on establishing career development paths that will provide consistent direction. Having better organization and structure on the training model can only help our industry.”

“I-CAR has developed a sound strategy for making its training more relevant. Engaging in a peer review process involving multiple industry segments during development will make this initiative a success,” says Joe Skurka of BASF Corp.

Edelen agreed that the meeting helped to move the organization further along the path of re-engineering its curriculum. Participants said they were encouraged by the content of the meeting and the direction that I-CAR is moving in the development of the new curriculum.

“The I-CAR roundtable discussion is a validation that they are well-positioned to take collision repair to the next level of competency. This ensures our customers receive the best and safest repair,” says Al Motta, head of technical training for Chrysler. “I endorse and applaud their efforts and achievements.”

“I-CAR has redefined training for the collision industry with this new structure,” says Tony Molla, VP communications for ASE. “The focus on specific, relevant training areas based on the job descriptions will provide even more value to the individual and a broad spectrum of inter-industry segments.”

Timothy Richardson, of UTI says, "My daily business relies heavily on I-CAR offerings and activities, and I am very excited about the direction they are taking."

Michael Quinn, co-founder of 911 Collision Centers based in Tucson, Ariz., says, “I haven’t been this excited about I-CAR in over 15 years. The industry segments represented at this meeting is a testament to the support of the new I-CAR vision. The new leadership and re-focus of I-CAR is moving the organization in the direction our industry needs.”

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