I-CAR has announced open enrollment for its new Vehicle Technology and Trends 2023 one-hour online course that covers “the scale and scope of today’s technology-driven era of repairs,” including advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features, which is “ideal for anyone and any role in the collision repair industry.”

The course previews some of the advanced materials and technologies of 2023 vehicles such as redesigned models and retired models that have been brought back to life, I-CAR said.

I-CAR says a glimpse of 2024 vehicles and the anticipated trajectory of automotive technology and related repair considerations will also be covered. The course is included as part of the unlimited live, online, and virtual courses available with the I-CAR Subscription Training Program and does not have any prerequisites.

“With automakers (OEMs) introducing more than 100 vehicle changes each model year, the speed with which new technologies are introduced into vehicle applications is unprecedented,” said Nick Notte, I-CAR Sales and Marketing Vice President, in a statement. “As the collision repair ecosystem continues to be redefined, this course is another intentionally-designed resource to help collision repair professionals prepare for the road ahead.”

According to I-CAR, the course was developed with a wide range of input and collaboration from OEMs. All I-CAR vehicle and technology training courses can be applied toward annual training credit for collision repair professionals who complete ProLevel 3 and achieve Platinum recognition in a role or for those who maintain training as non-role representatives.

For the full list of Vehicle and Technology Specific Training courses, visit I-CAR’s course catalog.

I-CAR has also announced that Jaguar Land Rover has joined its Sustaining Partner Program, which is designed to fund initiatives toward I-CAR’s vision “that every person in the collision repair industry has the information, knowledge, and skills required to perform complete, safe and quality repairs for the ultimate benefit of the consumer.”

Repairer Driven News spoke with Notte about what I-CAR is doing to recognize OEM training that is taking place outside of the Sustaining Partner program.

“We have invited the industry to weigh in on this subject,” he said. “Their voice was heard and we are now looking at ways to change our program to provide the most training possible to an industry immersed in the Technical Tsunami. We thank our Sustaining Partners who have offset all Training Alliance fees for those non-I-CAR courses taken, while we’re provided the appropriate credit. We look forward to working with other OEMs to provide even more options for students moving into the new year. Stay tuned for that announcement.”

Planning & Industry Talent Programming Vice President Dara Goroff added, “The I-CAR Industry Training Alliance exists to recognize the results of training through approved training providers. All programs, including suppliers and manufacturers, approved for inclusion into the Industry Training Alliance support our vision that every person in the collision repair industry has the information, knowledge, and skills required to perform complete, safe, and quality repairs for the ultimate benefit of the consumer.”

Notte described the Sustaining Partner program as providing “tangible benefits to partners through access to information, course content and marketing opportunities.”

“Collision repair professionals and students benefit by greater access to quality education and knowledge sources and subsequent employment opportunities and advancements,” he said. “As a not-for-profit, neutral organization, I-CAR’s objective for the program is to offer a platform for like-minded organizations to address industry issues collaboratively.”

The program was founded in 2017 and has funded more than $3 million in I-CAR curriculum and student fees in career and technical schools, which have become I-CAR fixed training sites. Program partners have also funded all Industry Training Alliance training credit fees for individuals who train with curriculum from approved Industry Training Alliance partners, which I-CAR says “brings significant financial benefits to the industry.

“I-CAR said Jaguar Land Rover’s move into the program builds on its longstanding training partnership with I-CAR, which provides customized training programs to the OEM’s Authorized Repair Network facilities throughout North America.

“We thank Jaguar Land Rover, all of our Sustaining Partners, who are focused on the sustainability of every collision repair professional and business as we face a Technical Tsunami™, talent shortage, and growing repair complexity,” Notte said in a statement. “Jaguar Land Rover’s recent join to the Sustaining Partner program is another step towards ensuring the future of quality collision repair.”

A list of I-CAR Sustaining Partners can be found here.

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Featured image credit: I-CAR