As the collision repair industry continues to see record-high levels of staffing shortages, it is now more important than ever to find ways to engage with the community and connect with the next generation of the collision repair workforce.
Many individuals are unaware of trade industry opportunities and the full scope of career possibilities at their disposal. Abra franchisees take pride in their efforts to connect with the community to show the value of what a career in collision repair can mean for them.
How can you authentically engage with your community?
One of Abra’s core values is to develop their talent and to build a culture of teamwork. Its community outreach efforts are a prime example of this tenet.
Participating in career fairs is one form of outreach that offers numerous benefits for both the company attending, as well as the individuals seeking job opportunities.
Sponsored partnerships for the trade schools, such as charitable donations, or even providing uniforms, can also serve as an efficient method for establishing connections in the community.
Why should I participate in a career fair?
Career fairs are more plentiful than you think! Reach out to local universities or community colleges to determine what opportunities are available for you and your organization.
Abra franchisees’ previous participation in career fairs has been cited by team members as an enriching and rewarding opportunity to show students the wealth of options at their fingertips. This form of outreach is a way to open the door to gaining more traction in the collision repair industry.
For the employer, career fairs are also a way to increase brand awareness while fostering connections with young, top talent. Face-to-face interactions are crucial to the hiring process and allow both the employer and individual to save time by talking through details and questions upfront, ultimately leading to the opportunity for a student to become an employee at the collision repair center in the future.
What should I sponsor?
One unique sponsorship opportunity that Abra franchisees have taken advantage of has been co-sponsoring uniforms for local technical schools.
Having established relationships with vendors, such as involved non-profits or apparel businesses, is especially useful for helping community engagement plans come to fruition.
These existing relationships allowed a local Abra in Minnesota to provide uniforms to students enrolled in an auto body technology program. This gave students the chance to learn more about working in the collision repair industry and gave them the proper attire to wear during class. To add to this, a handful of these students now work for Abra as repair technicians!
A community of care
Whether it’s attending a career fair, making a charitable donation, supporting local schools through uniform sponsorships, or donating equipment, Abra has shown that there are several meaningful ways to get involved at the community level. Who knows, your next outreach event might just bring you the top talent you’re after!
Visit Abraauto.com to learn more or complete this form if you would like to learn more about working with the highly skilled Abra team.
