The Automotive Management Institute (AMi) has launched a new designation for estimators, and NACE Automechanika Chicago is the first chance to complete most, if not all, of the in-person training requirements.
AMi made courses available in April, and estimators now can work toward a pair of professional designations: Accredited Collision-Repair Estimator (ACE) and Accredited Master Collision-Repair Estimator (AMCE). These are the first designations specifically geared toward the important shop position of estimator, says Jeff Peevy, AMi president.
“Estimators play a key role in a repair operation’s success, especially around profitability,” he explains. “They must know something about everything and at a high level understand the repair, as well as have the ability to negotiate and serve customers well.”
Any estimator is eligible to earn the designation through online coursework, in-person training and testing. The designations, like others automotive professionals work toward with AMi, require varying levels of coursework to complete.
To earn the ACE designation, an estimator must complete:
- 23 credit hours of AMi online courses covering customer service, management and operational training
- 20 credit hours of AMi approved live instructor-led electives
- A minimum of 35 credit hours of technical damage analysis training. This requires achieving and maintaining I-CAR Platinum in Estimator or APDA.
- Information Provider System – training verified (Mitchell or AudaTex) or successful completion of CCC Assessment Test.
To achieve the AMCE designation, an estimator must complete:
- 23 credit hours of AMi online courses covering customer service, management and operational training
- 30 credit hours of AMi approved live instructor-led electives
- A minimum of 77 credit hours of technical damage analysis training. This requires achieving and maintaining I-CAR ProLevel 3 Platinum in Estimator or APDA.
- Information Provider System – Two of three major systems, training verified (Mitchell or AudaTex) and/or successful completion of CCC Assessment Test.
- ASE B6 Damage Analysis Certification must be achieved and maintained.
A number of collision repair-based courses offered at NACE Automechanika Chicago provide estimators with the first opportunity to complete required in-person training. Peevy notes that there are about 24 credit hours available at the event, July 26-28, that will apply toward the second requirement for both designations. Anyone interested in those courses can register for them at www.abrn.com/AMiLiveTraining. Classes that qualify are:
- Triage – led by Larry Montanez
- Disassembly – led by Larry Montanez
- Greatest Production Systems: The Secrets of America’s Greatest Body Shops Series – led by David Luehr
- Utilizing Enterprise ARMS Reporting to Improve Shop Performance – led by Mike Anderson
- Sustaining Excellence – led by Mike Anderson and RayChew
- Positioning Yourself in the Collision Repair Industry – led by Mike Anderson
- Effective Estimating – led by John Shoemaker
- Linear Re-manufacturing: The Future Shop – led by Lee Rush
- Evolution of the Estimate to a Repair Plan – led by Jim Silverman
- Photo and File Documentation – led by Mike Cassata
- How to Improve Gross Profit through Estimating: Understanding the 30/20/10 Rule – led by Mike Anderson
The new designations are an excellent way for today’s collision repair shops to continue training, education and certification in a rapidly changing business climate. The benefits to both the estimator and the shop are of great quality and value.
“First, it is a professional designation, specific to their profession that represents key knowledge areas that one must know in order to be the very best they can be,” Peevy says. “From a personal professional value, the ROI would be high, but from a shop profitability stand point the return would be high and instant.”
Estimators interested in working toward either the ACE or AMCE designations can apply at www.amionline.org. Additionally, you can register for courses to meet in-person training requirements at NACE Automechanika Chicago by visiting www.abrn.com/AMiLiveTraining.
AMi offers highly touted, industry-recognized certificates and personal designations for both the collision repair and service repair industries. Personal designations in both areas are Accredited Automotive Office Manager (AAOM), Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) and Accredited Master Automotive Manager (AMAM). Certificates offered for each segment are the Automotive Collision Repair Customer Service Certificate and the Service Repair Customer Service Certificate.
