April 18, 2013—Chemical company BASF will sponsor the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) collision repair vocational education center in Mesa, Ariz., and the opening of its newest national training center, the company announced Wednesday.
Along with EVIT and other industry manufacturers, BASF has helped renovate two collision shops to create a national training facility. The first facility is designed for high school students who are interested in a career in collision and automotive technology. The second shop will be used to provide advanced training for collision repair professionals.
“EVIT is not your typical high-school technical training program,” said Vitor Margaronis, marketing director for BASF Coatings Solutions, North America. “BASF is committed to the future of the collision repair industry. The vision for the new collision program, created by Leading Edge Auto Refinishes, BASF’s ColorSource distributor in Arizona, and Dr. Sally Downey, superintendent at EVIT, is directly aligned with BASF’s vision. When we were presented with the opportunity to participate at EVIT we immediately accepted.”
The first BASF painter certification class was held at the facility in February.
