Aug. 14, 2012—I-CAR has launched a comprehensive collision repair training program for schools that will be introduced for the 2012-2013 academic year.
The program, called the I-CAR Professional Development Program-Education Edition, is a performance-focused training curriculum that provides a standardized learning system for students, I-CAR said. The curriculum aligns with the specific roles, education and knowledge needs defined within I-CAR’s Professional Development Program, which was introduced to the industry in 2010.
I-CAR said the training program is structured into three successive levels, referred to as I-CAR ProLevels, which recognize students for completion of their role-based training. I-CAR said it will provide schools with guided course materials, instructor guides and student performance evaluations.
Students who graduate from the program will be better equipped with the skills needed to begin working efficiently in a collision repair facility at the start of their careers, I-CAR said.
“The foundation for the program, and one of its most highly anticipated benefits, is the increased emphasis on hands-on instruction and time spent in the shop,” said Bill Stage, senior director of segment development for I-CAR. “Previous I-CAR curriculum models focused on broad topics. However, the new program will provide a deeper learning experience through hands-on practice, creating skills that will be directly transferable to the collision repair workforce.”
I-CAR said more than 30 educational institutions have committed to integrate the I-CAR Professional Development Program-Education Edition into their curriculum for the 2012-2013 school year.
