Car ADAS Solutions’ ADAS Calibration Technician Certification Program has been qualified by I-CAR for Industry Training Alliance course credits, becoming one of more than 20 partners nationwide.

Car ADAS Solutions’ program was developed in 2020.

“As an I-CAR sustaining partner, we are proud to have our program be recognized as an I-CAR Industry Training Alliance course,” said Greg Peeters, CEO of Car ADAS Solutions, in a news release. “Utilizing I-CAR’s online courses as a prerequisite for our 80-hour hands-on training program allows us to focus on tackle learning, including calibration, programming, diagnostic, and repair skills.”

Peeters said this enables Car ADAS Solutions to develop a solid technical foundation that team members continue to build on through the company’s technical support and quality assurance programs.

“We value our partnership with I-CAR, their leadership, and the great work they are doing for our industry,” he added.

The I-CAR Industry Training Alliance acknowledges the accomplishments of training through qualified providers. Technicians can train with I-CAR and Alliance partners, receive credits for approved courses, and facilitate their attainment of Platinum and Gold Class certifications.

“We stand for quality training, not just I-CAR training,” said John Van Alstyne, CEO and president of I-CAR, in the release. “As we proactively respond to the changes ADAS is driving in the collision repair industry, we embrace the opportunity to add our sustaining partner, Car ADAS Solutions, to the I-CAR Industry Training Alliance. This recognition allows technicians and shops that invest their resources into training to apply their achievement to the ultimate designations of I-CAR Platinum and Gold Class.”

There is no additional cost to the learner or collision repair facility.

Students who complete the Car ADAS training will receive equivalent credit to I-CAR’s Static ADAS Calibration Multi-Day Hands-On Skills Development course. However, students will not receive an equivalent credit for I-CAR’s prerequisite ADAS courses since those knowledge and skill areas are not fully covered in the Car ADAS course.

The Static ADAS Calibration Multi-Day Hands-On Skills Development course serves as the capstone for the ADAS Technician Role, according to Car ADAS. The role is currently optional for Gold Class shops.

“Not only does this reduce redundant training, but it also greatly benefits individuals and businesses by simplifying the education process and improving overall industry efficiency while encouraging a continuous learning mindset for the ultimate benefit and safety of the consumer,” Van Alstyne said. “It is a win-win for the industry.”

To qualify, Alliance partners must be I-CAR Sustaining Partners and hold accreditation from a recognized third-party accreditor like International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET), Learning and Performance Institute (LPI), or be an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)-accredited trainer.

The Sustaining Partner Program exists to help fund collision repair education and support initiatives that reduce training redundancies.

Benefits of the program include:

• • Bringing the “inter-industry together to provide collision repair education and programming in support of complete, safe, and quality repairs;”
  • Supporting programs that benefit the industry, such as the All Industry Training Alliance;
  • Offering a funding program that helps offset the cost of training for educational institutes and those new to the industry; and
  • Collaboration among “like-minded organizations to address the most critical industry issues.”

To be an Alliance partner, the business must also offer courses that meet the nonprofit organization’s industry knowledge and skills protocol. The protocol sets educational knowledge and skills objectives necessary to perform complete, safe, and quality repairs, as defined by the collision repair industry in cooperation with I-CAR.

“Through Industry Training Alliance partnerships with Car ADAS and other collaborators, I-CAR strives to improve and simplify access to education opportunities, ensuring technicians possess the knowledge and skills needed to adapt to industry changes,” Van Alstyne said.

In recognition of the increasing significance of ADAS expertise in the industry, I-CAR introduced a professional development path for ADAS technicians in 2022, offering Platinum recognition under the newly launched ADAS Technician role.

Van Alstyne said this acknowledged the growing importance of ADAS-related roles and provided a structured path for technicians to enhance their skills in this area, underscoring the need for specialized training in response to the prevalence of ADAS-equipped vehicles. It’s currently an “optional role” not required for Gold Class achievement. Gold Class does require a selection of foundational ADAS-related courses to help ensure shops are aware of repair requirements.

“Through partnerships with industry leaders like Car ADAS, technicians have more opportunities to stay updated on the latest technology developments, aligning with I-CAR’s ongoing efforts to attract and deploy skilled technician talent throughout the industry,” Van Alstyne said.

For individuals looking to achieve Platinum as evidence of their expertise in the growing field of ADAS, Van Alstyne said having options for completing the capstone course requirement of a hands-on course is an advantage that collision repair professionals deserve.

“I-CAR champions technical education like Car ADAS Solutions provides that supports and complements the nonprofit organization’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,” he said.

He added that addressing the demands of ADAS repairs — one of the fastest-growing and most technically demanding aspects of the collision repair industry — underscores the importance of preparedness among repair shops nationwide.

“Shops prioritizing ADAS training and related competencies will be well-positioned to lead repair services in their local markets,” he said.

Images

Featured image: Car ADAS Solutions employees with recent graduates of a training class in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Left to right): Car ADAS Solutions CEO Greg Peeters; Matthew Mahlum; Jordan Reiss from TrueNorth ADAS; Gustavo Negrete from OnSpec ADAS Calibrations; Mike Booth; Michael Mahlum; Ismael Cardenas from OnSpec ADAS Calibrations; Paul Eicher; Troy Domstead; David Godoy; and Josh Ronak.

Since the Car ADAS Solutions ADAS Calibration Technician Certification Program was established more than 175 technicians have been trained on how to properly calibrate vehicles, an example of which is shown in this photo.