The prestigious award recognizes the initiative's critical work in attracting talent to the collision repair industry.
I-CAR is thrilled to announce the recently launched Collision Careers platform has been honored with a prestigious SEMA Global Media Award. This accolade recognizes the program’s outstanding branding and focuses on attracting new talent to the collision repair industry.
The SEMA Global Media Awards, presented annually at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, recognizes companies that manufacture specialty equipment products, accessories and related services that would have mass appeal to consumers in countries outside the U.S. Nearly 3,000 new offerings are voted on by an esteemed group of international journalists who serve as judges. Collision Careers stood out for its creative approach in addressing the critical need for skilled professionals in the collision repair sector.
Collision Careers, launched over the summer, provides a neutral brand and platform under which industry partners will be invited to collaborate, helping to reposition the industry as a growing, exciting and stable field. The platform amplifies the industry’s efforts to help close the talent gap of 100,000 open technician positions due to retirements and natural turnover.
Through a combination of engaging content, personal storytelling strategic outreach, and partnerships with the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), as well as others with a similar mission and/or interest, Collision Careers has successfully captured the attention of prospective professionals, students, educators and those making mid-career changes, inspiring them to consider a career in this dynamic and growing field.
"We are honored to receive the SEMA Global Media Award for Collision Careers," said John Van Alstyne, I-CAR CEO and president. "This recognition is a testament to the investment we with CREF are making to support the industry we mutually serve, addressing a huge pain point that impacts the entire industry and the consumer. It also demonstrates the dedication and passion of our team in promoting the collision repair profession and ensuring a bright future for the industry."
At SEMA and in partnership with the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), I-CAR leadership shared the results of a Ducker Carlisle survey designed to understand better what collision repair technicians think about working in the industry; specifically, compensation and benefits, job satisfaction and other aspects that either encourage or diminish retention. The insights uncovered served as a milestone accomplishment for Collision Careers, highlighting the diverse career paths available in collision repair, and showcasing the opportunities for growth, advancement and the value of continuous learning for the collision repair professionals so committed.
"Attracting new talent is essential for the sustainability and growth of the collision repair industry," added Dara Goroff, I-CAR’s vice president of planning and industry talent programming. “Collision Careers has not only ignited interest, it is also now providing valuable resources and support for those looking to embark on a fulfilling career in collision repair."
I-CAR remains committed to advancing the industry by providing world-class education and training programs that equip professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their careers. Its new entry-level curriculum designed to aid the onboarding of talent new to collision repair, I-CAR® Academy, is currently in pilot with early adopter schools and will be available to all schools and repair centers in 2024.
For more information about Collision Careers, visit CollisionCareers.com.
Abby Andrews