In the ever-evolving world of the collision repair industry, auto body shops need new efficient, and knowledgeable technicians to stay ahead of the game. Having dependable technicians in the shops is more important than ever as vehicle technology continues to advance, and much of the experienced workforce continues to retire. To help address this problem, I-CAR developed I-CAR Academy: the first industry-neutral, comprehensive early career program designed to educate and recognize entry-level technicians, and the schools and repair centers that train these new industry entrants.
“We recognize the industry’s in a technician crisis and approached the issue with a unique solution,” Jesus Guerrero, director of product management at I-CAR, said. “I-CAR Academy offers a consistent entry-level curriculum across schools and shops, enabling a smoother transition to the workforce, bolstering both onboarding and retention efforts.”
Master the Basics
I-CAR Academy’s new curriculum — available via web and mobile devices — lays the groundwork necessary for I-CAR’s professional curriculum and technician recognition, ASE certification, and further OEM-specific training, by integrating industry feedback into five core learning areas.
- Collision Repair Fundamentals: Provides future technicians with the foundations every beginning technician needs.
- Disassembly and Reassembly: Explores the tools and procedures needed to remove and install exterior panels and interior parts.
- Plastic Repair: Teaches students how to identify tools and materials needed to repair plastic parts, and how to identify types of damage.
- Aluminum and Steel Small Dent Removal: Explores the damage analysis and repair process for small dents on aluminum and steel exterior body panels.
- Preparation for Refinish: Teaches future technicians how to properly prepare panels for the application of topcoats.
Lessons for these core areas are built assuming the learners hold no foundational knowledge, so they are easy to absorb and build upon all of I-CAR’s previous curriculum.
Bite-Sized Learning
To help lessons be more consumable, Academy delivers the core areas in small, bite-size video modules.
“These shorter lessons align with modern learning methods,” Guerrero explained. “Depending on the topic, they’re around 20 minutes. These modules are shorter because they were designed to fit people’s preferred engagement methods and attention spans and are more engaging as a result.”
The knowledge learned in the bite-sized video modules is then integrated into hands-on learning activities to help future technicians apply and retain what they learned.
Comprehensive Materials
Another perk of I-CAR Academy is that it’s available online to the individual training technician. This allows them the opportunity to learn and go back and re-review or dig deeper into what they’re learning in a more mobile setting.
“We know that on-the-job training in a shop or tech school environment can be challenging when it comes to keeping learners’ attention,” Guerrero said. “To encourage further participation, we've gamified the system. We applied a badging type of criterion to our learning, it's like scouting or video game achievements that keep young minds engaged. As you learn, you earn badges, so students want to keep moving on their own and can feel a sense of pride.”
The online curriculum also offers helpful learning materials for the instructors.
“There are so many competing demands in a shop that we’ve made program management easy – from lesson guides to grading cubes, we’ve completely revamped resources, from \a curriculum standpoint,” Guerrero said.
Creating Opportunities
The launch of I-CAR Academy marks the second tangible achievement of I-CAR's Talent Programming initiative following the launch of last year's Collision Careers industry-focused talent attraction platform.
“CollisionCareers.com — a website with information for future technicians, parents, and educators, as well as a school and shop search— is the cornerstone of I-CAR’s platform,” said Guerrero. "By offering the industry both attraction and entry-level relevant training programs, we are helping schools and repair centers to increase the number of new technicians and better prepare them for the exciting real world of collision repair.”
With I-CAR Academy and Collision Careers, I-CAR is helping provide the collision repair industry with a platform to assert that, We are here, and we are a vital part of this industry.”
For more information visit: https://www.i-car.com/academyshops