UPDATED Collision Engineering Program enrollment ramping up for fall in Nebraska, Chief partners to upgrade training equipment
By onEducation
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correct the total number of schools that currently participate in the Collision Engineering Program.
Enterprise Holdings has provided more information about a recently added school to the growing Collision Engineering Program (CEP).
Metropolitan Community College (MCC), in Omaha, Nebraska, will offer the industry-leading CEP curriculum as part of its existing Auto Collision Technology program beginning this fall. Enrollment is now underway.
Founded by the Enterprise Holdings Foundation and Ranken Technical College, the goal of CEP is to help fill the more than 110,000 collision technician job openings expected before 2026 through a two-year associate degree model. Students rotate between classroom instruction and a paid apprenticeship in a collision repair facility.
“MCC is proud to partner with CEP to expand access to opportunities and resources for students who want to pursue rewarding careers in auto collision technology,” said Joe Baker, MCC Auto Collision Technology instructor. “We are excited to grow our Auto Collision Technology program to support the needs of local industry and educate and train the next generation of skilled workers for this high-demand field.”
With support from CEP and Chief Collision Technology, a global collision repair product and services manufacturer, MCC will upgrade its training facilities with Chief’s Meridian Live Mapping System.
The system is a sophisticated laser-measuring tool that delivers comprehensive 360-degree vehicle measurements critical for diagnostic purposes, according to an Enterprise Holdings news release. By using the tool, Enterprise says MCC’s students learn how to visualize structural damage, formulate effective repair plans, and conduct post-repair quality assessments.
“I have personally benefited from my experience attending technical school,” said Mike Croker, director of product management at Chief Collision Technology. “Growing up, traditional school just wasn’t for me. Fortunately, I found an amazing technical program and discovered this whole other world of opportunities. Chief is thrilled to be able to pay it back by supporting this program and the next generation of collision engineers.”
During the program, MCC Auto Collision Technology students will alternate quarters taking classes at MCC’s state-of-the-art Automotive Training Center on the South Omaha Campus, then participate in a mentorship and paid internship at a local sponsoring business the next quarter.
Because of the proximity to MCC’s South Omaha campus to leading repair facilities in four Nebraska counties, as well as the major metropolitan area of Omaha, the addition of MCC to the CEP footprint creates opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience and make valuable connections with industry professionals, the release states. Fifteen local employers have already expressed interest in a CEP apprentice when the first cohort begins schooling this fall.
“Many industry partners are recognizing the importance of collaboration to strengthen the talent pipeline of collision technicians,” said Mary Mahoney, Enterprise Holdings vice president. “Their ongoing support has been instrumental to CEP’s expansion to seven schools over the past two years, and we’re excited to continue this momentum as the program grows in the U.S. and beyond.”
In addition to MCC, the program is available at Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, Missouri; College of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois; Contra Costa College in San Pablo, California; Collin College in Allen, Texas; Texas State Technical College in Waco, Texas; and Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois.
For more information about the program and application process, visit www.beacollisionengineer.com.
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Featured and secondary images: MCC YouTube video screenshots
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