I-CAR has launched I-CAR Academy — a comprehensive educational program including a “revolutionary” entry-level collision repair curriculum for career and technical schools as well as collision repair centers, according to a Wednesday news release.

I-CAR Academy is designed specifically to attract, train, and retain technicians, and recognize the schools and repair centers training new entrants, I-CAR said.

Available to schools for the 2024-25 academic year, I-CAR Academy will replace existing education edition curriculum (PDP-EE). A similar curriculum will be available to shops in August with additional tools tailored to improve shop culture and enhance the leadership and mentorship experiences, the release says.

When asked by Repairer Driven News how the new curriculum differs from existing training, I-CAR said it’s delivered in short video modules combined with hands-on activities to emphasize the concepts learned in the videos and works well on desktop and mobile.

“Lessons are engaging and easy to absorb, built assuming no previous experience or foundational knowledge of I-CAR’s previous curriculum,” I-CAR said. “I-CAR Academy lays the groundwork necessary for ASE certification, future training through I-CAR’s professional curriculum or OEM-specific training.”

The academy offers a modern approach to education by seamlessly integrating consumable online knowledge with hands-on skills training in a gamified environment and awarding badges for achieved competencies, the release states.

I-CAR aims for the academy to kickstart technicians’ education by providing an engaging, solid foundation to begin I-CAR professional level (ProLevel) curriculum and Platinum Technician certification along with OEM and supplier-certified programs.

For shops, additional training and best practices for effective mentoring, which is key to technician development and progression, and culture best practices for shop leaders to aid in retention, will be available, according to the release.

“For over 45 years, I-CAR has been collaborating with the automotive collision repair industry to set the training standard, provide education programming that meets modern accepted standards, and credential technicians and shops who commit to staying current as technology and repair methods evolve,” said I-CAR CEO and President John Van Alstyne, in the release.

“I-CAR Academy is the next evolution in our service to the industry — it is clear that we must adopt a cutting-edge standard curriculum that appeals to, and engages, new technicians because, whether they start in a school or a shop, we need them to be properly prepared to succeed on day one and stay in our industry for a career.”

I-CAR Academy curriculum — developed through extensive research and development, industry participation, and feedback, and aligned with the I-CAR’s Automotive Collision Repair Industry Knowledge & Skills Protocol — ensures consistency among entry-level technicians, the release states.

The curriculum can also help enhance productivity by giving employers a clear understanding of new technicians’ competencies and ability to perform complete, safe, and quality repairs.

Curriculum includes:

• • Collision repair fundamentals, such as safety and tool skills;
  • Foundational knowledge for entry-level roles including estimator/repair planner, non-structural, structural, and refinish technician; and
  • Five badged learning areas: Collision Repair Fundamentals, Disassembly and Reassembly, Plastic Repair, Aluminum and Steel Small Dent Removal, and Preparation for Refinishing.

Spanish-language and extended courses will be available later this year.

“I-CAR Academy is a game-changer for the automotive collision repair industry and the second tangible achievement of our Talent Programming initiative, following the launch of last year’s Collision Careers talent attraction platform,” said Dara Goroff, I-CAR planning and industry talent programming vice president, in the release.

“By offering the industry both attraction and entry-level relevant training programs, we are partnering with schools and repair centers to increase the number of new technicians and better prepare them for the exciting real world of collision repair.”

Schools and shops that offer and complete specified levels of the program will be eligible to earn recognition as an I-CAR Academy site. The designation will enhance their appeal to new technicians looking to start their careers, I-CAR said.

Schools and shops interested in the I-CAR Academy program can learn more here.

Images

Featured image provided by I-CAR.