I-CAR Professional Development Program has evolved in one year

Wolfram ABRN auto body repair collision repair I-CAR training

It's been one year since the I-CAR Professional Development Program was introduced, changing I-CAR's 30-year business model and laying to rest what was, at times, referred to as "random acts of training" or chasing points. The program, developed through collaboration with collision industry members, has given I-CAR's recognition programs, the Gold Class Professionals designation and Platinum Individual designation, more meaning than ever before.

After almost three decades of contentious debate about whether I-CAR training is relevant, meaningful and applicable, the organization is hearing that its evolving new role-based training program is erasing the negative perception about the value of its training some have held for many years. An awareness is emerging in many organizations, recognizing the need for training and the industry's assumption of knowledge.

Richard Smith, owner of Sharp's Auto Body & Collision in Pittsburg, Kan., has seen changes at his repair facility the past year, especially improved operational efficiencies.

"Technicians aren't always aware of what they don't know, but as an employer, you believe your employees have the right knowledge and skill set to repair collision-damaged vehicles," he says. "When specific areas of knowledge are lacking in a technician's work, it isn't always apparent at first. Associated issues can escalate quickly and directly impact operational efficiencies negatively. Mistakes tend to become accepted, and you look at other areas for efficiency."

I-CAR training improved operational efficiencies at Smith's facility and provided technicians training specific to the skills they need to be successful.

"Many common repair mistakes are avoided through proper training," Smith says.

As an I-CAR instructor and shop owner, Smith has a unique understanding and strong commitment to training. Sharp's has been training with I-CAR since the mid-1990s and is a Gold Class Professionals business.

The Professional Development Program specifies that, for a business to classify as a Gold Class Professionals business, it must identify at least one Platinum Individual in each of the four key roles: nonstructural technician, refinish technician, estimator and steel structural technician. Additionally, all other employees must have declared roles.

I-CAR identified that many organizations would be challenged to maintain their Gold Class Professionals designation this year under new program requirements, so it allowed businesses to qualify for their designation under the former 5 & 2 requirement until December 2011. Organizations also may be recognized in 2011 under the requirements of the Professional Development Program.

A transition timeline was developed to help businesses and individuals carefully plan for training in a structured format. Beginning in 2012, businesses only will be recognized as a Gold Class Professionals business through the requirements defined in the Professional Development Program, making the need to designate individuals' roles as important for several reasons.

When an individual has a declared role within the program, that ensures he'll be able to establish the right training path; but this visibility also ensures I-CAR delivers the right classes at the right time. When the right training is taken, the individual, organization and industry benefit.

"Throughout the years, finding classes in your area may have been challenging," says Jeff Chillemi, coordinator of I-CAR training for all 28 Cars Collision Centers in the U.S. "However, now that the program requires individuals and businesses to engage in role-relevant training, it'll become less of an obstacle finding the training needed for technicians in their local areas. It's a win-win situation for I-CAR instructors who are looking to teach and for individuals who need the training to achieve their designation."

Cars Collision Centers has been training with I-CAR for more than 10 years and all locations hold the Gold Class Professionals designation.

While I-CAR recognized the call for role-specific training, the industry also asked for the option to allow collision industry veterans with proven on-the-job competence and knowledge to test out of certain competencies. In April 2011, the organization premiered its Equivalency Testing option, which offers collision repair professionals a convenient option to prove they've mastered a competency area.

The option to test out of certain competencies adds value to the program, says Wayne Griffin, I-CAR Tennessee state chairman and instructor.

"If an individual passes the equivalency test, he can focus on taking the training he needs to stay current and further progress in his role," Griffin says. "People who've worked in the industry for the majority of their lives may think they know everything there is to know about technology on today's vehicles, but vehicle technology is continually changing and new information is being introduced to the industry all the time. If an individual doesn't pass the equivalency test, learning this information through one of the instructor-led classes is the best way to gain this knowledge."

Beyond equivalency tests, I-CAR has added online training programs to its course catalog, making training for your role more doable. Online training that has been added meets ProLevel 1 requirements and can be completed 24/7 and re-accessed multiple times before completing the test.

I-CAR's online offerings contain the same content as the instructor-led delivery format courses, which are a convenient way for individuals who may not have the option to take instructor-led training in their local area, but are required to take it to fulfill their role-specific training requirements. For the remainder of 2011, the organization plans to introduce several more online offerings and continue to bolster its online course catalog.

Phase l of the transition period will end when Phase 2 begins Jan. 1, 2012. Overall, the program's acceptance has been positive. Almost two-thirds of shops and organizations have identified and designated roles for employees in their shops, making the classes that are scheduled and the classes that are being taken more meaningful. As the program evolves, additional roles and training will be added.

The need to know how to identify the source of damage properly, create accurate repair plans and execute the repair isn't going to change, but the technology involved in these processes will, Smith says.

"It's encouraging to know the industry has an organized and relevant training model that fits the bill for the changing needs of the collision repair industry," he says.