Twelve finalists compete for grand prizes as foundation works to address technician shortage. The TechForce Foundation has opened public voting to select winners in its 2025 Techs Rock Awards, which recognizes student and professional technicians amid an ongoing nationwide shortage. Online voting runs through Oct. 15. Two grand prize winners — one student and one […]
State Farm Awarded $105,000 to 16 Collision Repair Schools through CREF Grant Program
State Farm has awarded $25,000 to a collision repair program in western New York as part of its effort to address a skilled collision repair technician shortage affecting the industry. The Erie 2 Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES LoGuidice Educational Center (E2CCB) in Fredonia, N.Y. received the funding through the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) Benchmark Award funded […]
Collision Repair Education Foundation Student Scholarships and Tool Grants Benefit More Students Than Ever Before
Over $275,000 awarded to 163 future collision repair industry professionals. The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) announced its annual Student Scholarship program continued to expand this year. The nonprofit awarded over $275,000 in tuition assistance and tools to 163 future collision industry professionals through the industry’s support this year. CREF’s ability to support a greater […]
CCC Supports Future Collision Repair Industry Workforce Through CREF
Company has supported the students and schools with scholarships, school grants and software donations. CCC Intelligent Solutions (NASDAQ: CCCS) has donated nearly $300,000 to more than 70 students through its scholarship program since 2006, making it one of the largest contributors to collision repair education funding according to the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF). The […]
Labor Department Awards $84M to Expand Registered Apprenticeship Programs
Supports administration goal is to reach 1 million active apprentices. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) awarded nearly $84 million in grants to all 50 states and territories Monday to expand registered apprenticeship programs as part of the Trump administration’s goal to reach 1 million active apprentices. The increased funding comes as collision repair industry […]
Nonprofit Automotive Training Program Receives California Grant
Acceler8, a Los Angeles, Calif.-based nonprofit automotive education program, has received funding through California’s Community Reinvestment Grants program to expand training opportunities for at-risk youth in the Los Angeles area. The grant from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development will allow the organization to serve up to 420 students over three years through […]
Carolinas Collision Association Awards $16,000 in Tool Grants to Eight Students
The Carolinas Collision Association presented $2,000 tool grants to eight automotive collision repair students at the Southeast Collision Conference, continuing a program that began several years ago. The recipients, selected by the CCA Trade School Committee, include four students from North Carolina and four from South Carolina. Each received funding to purchase tools needed for […]
Deadline to Apply for the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence May 2
Outstanding U.S. public high school skilled trades teachers can apply for a total of $1.5 million in cash prizes starting today. Since 2017, more than $9 million has been awarded to 158 skilled trades teachers and their programs. The deadline to apply for the 2025 prize is Friday, May 2. Teachers can apply online. This […]
Collision Repair Education Foundation Benchmark School Grant Applications Open
Industry-funded program helps schools improve the collision repair training programs. The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) announced that applications are open for schools to apply for grants to help provide their programs with access to the latest tools, equipment, and supplies, to enrich students’ learning environment. Applications opened January 28. The deadline to apply is […]
Collision Repair Schools Receive Over $500,000 in Benchmark Grants
Collision Repair Education Foundation program will support more than 4,000 future repairers at 80 schools. Collision repair organizations have continued their support of the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s (CREF) Benchmark Grant program. Thanks to the generosity multiple industry partners – both small and large – the Foundation announced that 80 collision repair schools will receive […]