BASF, in partnership with the Techforce Foundation, has awarded five $2,500 scholarships to aspiring collision repair students as part of its “Techs for Tomorrow” initiative.

The recipients will also get to attend the SEMA Show next week at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The students selected are:

• • Nolan Sousek, WyoTech (Wyoming)
  • Dustin Detwiler Jr., Aims Community College (Colorado)
  • Mindi Cogdill, UTI Houston (Texas)
  • Jocelyn Pandolfo, Pennsylvania College of Technology
  • Farren Moody, Fayetteville Technical Community College (North Carolina)

Students will spend three days and two nights at the SEMA Show with a packed agenda “designed to enhance students’ knowledge and industry connections,” according to a BASF press release.

“Receiving the news that I received the BASF Techs for Tomorrow scholarship and SEMA experience felt like a dream coming true,” said Farren Moody, in the release. “It’s my first time ever receiving a scholarship. Getting to experience SEMA with my love for the automotive industry is beyond exciting. I’m super happy.”

They will attend industry events, visit premium exhibitors showcasing their latest innovations, engage directly with team members, and participate in mentoring sessions with leading custom builders who serve as BASF ambassadors, the release says.

Students will also be mentored during the show by BASF Marketing Communications Manager Tina Nelles and Business Development Manager John Shoemaker that will include guidance on making industry connections that could jumpstart their careers, BASF said in the release.

“We believe that investing in the education and development of young talent is crucial for the future of our industry,” said Nelles, in the release. “This partnership with Techforce Foundation and the opportunity to engage with students at SEMA exemplifies our commitment to nurturing the next generation of skilled technicians.”

In a conversation with the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), BASF Refinish Coatings Vice President Joel Johnson said, “One of the biggest challenges facing the collision repair industry in the next few years is a labor crunch. We need to find talented people to fill the pipeline as jobs open up. “‘Techs for Tomorrow’ is our way to get the next generation excited about the refinish industry, with its opportunities for high-paying, stable careers as painters and body shop technicians.”

During the show, BASF will also participate in SCRS’ Repairer Driven Education (RDE) series.

Jeff Wildman, BASF automotive aftermarket industry expert and Phil Knapp, BASF consulting solutions manager, will lead a session from 2:30-4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5 called “Revolutionizing Collision Centers: The Impact of Interconnectivity, Data, and Innovation Inspired by the NFL.”

The NFL’s emphasis on interconnectivity, data, and technology is improving player safety, player performance, and an understanding of every facet of the game and, based on this philosophy, the RDE session will explore similarities to changes in the automotive industry. Changes discussed will include the integration of connected automobile technologies to contribute to enhanced vehicle safety and an increasingly interconnected world that improves passenger experiences.

“These innovations significantly impact every aspect of a collision center, underscoring the importance of data-driven decision-making,” an SCRS news release states. “In a collision center, informed choices based on real-time information, such as analyzing data on repair times, customer satisfaction, and resource allocation, become crucial. This approach enables collision centers to optimize operations, enhance efficiency, improve customer experience, and elevate overall performance, and profitability.”

Register for the session online at www.scrs.com/rde.

“Phil and I are looking forward to sharing insights with our audience that I believe can help with relevancy and adaptation to market changes,” said Wildman, in the release. “It’s a snapshot of how industries are adapting, and how that translates to our ability to build a more resilient and successful business within the collision repair experience.”

BASF is the longest-running supporter of RDE, marking 15 years of consecutive support. BASF is a sponsor of both the RDE series and the OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit at this year’s show.

“BASF is exceptionally proud to work with the team at SCRS to facilitate continuing education opportunities for the businesses and industry we serve,” said Jim Reddy, BASF head of marketing, Americas, in the release. “We believe there is a great deal of value in finding opportunities to lift the industry up through knowledge acquisition.

“The RDE series has always placed such an emphasis on developing thoughtful interactions for speakers, and businesses who are hungry to advance the way they serve their own customer. We feel very connected to the work the association is doing to be impactful for the industry, and grateful that we are in a position to help support the ongoing development of an already amazing educational platform.”

Images

“Techs for Tomorrow” 2023 winners visiting the Sagola booth at the 2023 SEMA Show. (Provided by BASF)