Does the problem of securing trained auto body help from an ever-shrinking workforce trouble you? Here is an idea worthy of your consideration.
Sept. 7, 2005 marked the arrival of a new and exciting revolution to auto collision repair education. The Branning Institute of Collision Repair Technology welcomed its first class of 12 high school students into its advanced technology training program, which will produce a new, improved level of trained auto body technicians, painters and detailers for the New Jersey state autobody workforce.
As a 35-year veteran of the auto body industry and owner of Branning Auto Body and CEO of the Branning Group, we’ve successfully been married with the Monmouth County Vocational School where the best in cutting edge technical training and advanced classroom curriculum are now combined in the Branning Institute of Collision Repair Technology, Inc. On my 12-acre facility stands a newly built collision repair facility like no other. It incorporates the latest technical equipment for repairing vehicles and integrates safety systems to create an environment that is “worker friendly” and production oriented. The “front end” of the new facility is first-class, providing customers with style and respectability the moment they step through the front door. On the second floor, which is accessible either by stairway or elevator, there are large classrooms to be used in continuing education programs.
The auto collision repair program is a two-year ASE NATEF (Automotive Service Excellence, National Automotive Technical Education) certified program. The I-CAR, Advance Tech curriculum forms the foundation of instructional delivery. This curriculum is NATEF/ASE approved and is considered to be the industry-recognized top standard. Students receive instruction in the theory of collision repair and also study the related math and science. Most of the two hour and 40 minute class time is devoted to learning skills through hands-on activities. All collision repair procedures are taught in a classroom setting and put into practice in the shop where students work on damaged vehicles, which now include late-model vehicles and even Mercedes Benzes. Guest lecturers and presenters include a wide variety of industry leaders who keep the training current and very real.
Whether it should be credited solely to TV shows or not, thanks to a heightened level of interest in auto body among today’s non-college bound youth, 12 students currently attend the advanced second level program and are already backed up by 21 students in level I. They will come to the Branning Institute Facility in the fall of 2006. Successful graduates of the program will be invited into a three-month apprentice/mentoring program at Branning Collision Centers where they will be paid to gain additional proficiencies, I-CAR credits and the workplace readiness training that will make them ready for job placement in the New Jersey collision repair workforce.
With such companies as Akzo Nobel, 3M, Northeast Automotive Equipment and others supporting this venture, so many positives can be achieved for both the students and the community. Program expansion into other levels in the regional population is planned for 2006.
This partnership of private industry and public education affords an opportunity that could not be duplicated in this age of shrinking educational budgets. At the Branning Institute of Collision Repair Technology, high school students will be able to observe, learn and practice in the most sophisticated repair facility of its kind. We look forward to building the best collision repair instructional program in the state and prepare it for roll-out to the nation.
Are you a body shop owner who is tired of the revolving door of “trading” help from one shop to another? Do you need more and better-trained technicians? Are you realizing that untrained walk-ins don’t stick around to build a career? Do you need an injection of energy and enthusiasm into your workplace? If you answered “Yes” to these questions (and I expect you did), follow what we have done and reach out to your local vo-tech school, get involved in their program, sponsor some students or even create a school similar to the Branning Institute. The local workforce, your staff and even your collision center customers will be the benefactors of your commitment. Or, call The Branning Institute at (732) 462-2909 ext. 209 and speak to Randall Miller. You can follow our blueprint for successful youth training to add more talent to your workforce team.
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