Provides update to industry relief program launched last year in response to the coronavirus.
In an open letter John Van Alstyne, CEO and President of the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) on January 15, he detailed the non-profit training organization’s 2021 Industry Relief program to support the collision repair industry.
“I-CAR was built because all six segments of the inter-industry recognized the need to put the safety of drivers first. And, though we continue our work to achieve complete, safe, and quality repairs, the impact of COVID-19 affects the safety of the inter-industry in a different way – in health, in accessibility to things we need, and in financial stability,” said Van Alstyne in the letter. “We recognize the strains of this impact and are steadfast in our efforts to support the people in the industry to the best of our ability as COVID-19 continues to impact our inter-industry.”
Key actions, plans and policy updates effective immediately to the policy originally introduced last March include:
- For Individuals and businesses located in States with COVID-19 policies that require I-CAR to cease in-shop delivery, or any individual or business where I-CAR is unable to deliver training due to the pandemic:
- Platinum individuals and Gold Class Businesses will have their renewal date extended 6 months from their original renewal date. Note: 2022 renewal dates remain unchanged from the original 2021 date.
- Impacted individuals with active welding certifications will have their welding certifications extended 6 months from their original renewal date.
- Please note: Impacted shops will be informed by I-CAR.
- Expanded In-Shop Training event policies and safety practices, to keep instructors and students safe. Practices reflect the latest Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations.
- Continued, complimentary access to I-CAR’s Repairability Technical Support (RTS) portal through June 30, 2021, offering an online technical portal that provides collision repair best practices, OEM-specific searches, information and news.
- Special discounted Hands-On Skills Development™ course packages, in which MIG Brazing and Spot Welding courses are purchased together as a form of financial assistance for shops pursuing 50/100 scaling, with an emphasis on safety practices in eligible states.
- Recently launched Get to Gold Class package continues to provide shops with payment options to support achievement of Gold Class recognition in 2021.
- Continued access to I-CAR’s full suite of On-Line and Virtual/Instructor-led, web-based training, including Virtual/Instructor led courses that were converted from a Live, in-person format until it is safe to once again deliver in a live classroom.
Details of I-CAR’s Industry Relief Program can be found online.