ASE, I-CAR, CREF and WrenchWay unite to address ‘critical’ need for industry professionals

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR), the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), and WrenchWay have formed a collaborative partnership aimed at addressing “the critical need for service professionals.”

The new partnership is focused on attracting and retaining talent by providing the resources and support needed for automotive service professionals to grow and succeed, a press release states. By “service professionals,” the groups are looking to recruit and educate future automotive and collision repair technicians as well as individuals to fill other positions, such as parts specialists, service writers, or anyone who would work in a vehicle repair facility.

The plan centers on three initiatives designed to support current and future talent:

• • Address common misconceptions about the industry and showcase the array of rewarding, high-opportunity career paths available;
  • Provide accessible and affordable entry-level education solutions that drive skill development, support the mentor/mentee relationship, and lead to numerous industry-recognized credentials; and
  • Equip new technicians with the tools and mentorship they need to succeed, while also supporting employers.

“Working closely with our colleagues at I-CAR, CREF, and WrenchWay, we began a powerful collaboration to address one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: attracting and preparing the next generation of automotive service professionals,” said Dave Johnson, ASE president and CEO, in the release. “We are committed to a shared goal of building the widest pathway to attract new talent and advance the collision repair field together.”

The partnership plans to engage students, parents, and educators with impactful advertising online, on social media, and in print media. ASE, CREF, I-CAR, and WrenchWay will collaboratively syndicate all media content targeting future technicians through paid and owned channels, the release says.

“This partnership aligns perfectly with CREF’s mission to support collision repair educational programs, students, and schools,” said Brandon Eckenrode, executive director of CREF, in the release. “By combining our resources and industry connections, we can help ensure schools have the tools, equipment, and support needed to attract students and prepare them for fulfilling, lifelong careers.”

The groups also plan to strengthen Career Technical Education (CTE) schools through scholarships, donations, and certifications while also supporting employers in creating a learning culture rooted in skill development, safety, and career advancement.

“This partnership expands the work I-CAR has championed through initiatives like the Collision Careers web and social platforms and I-CAR Academy, ensuring that employers, students, and schools have clear, structured, and affordable entry points into high-demand collision repair careers,” said Dara Goroff, I-CAR’s vice president of planning and industry talent programming, in the release.

The I-CAR Academy curriculum is designed for shops or schools to support entry-level technician education, and is aligned with ASE credentials and U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) requirements.

In July, I-CAR launched its national RAP for the collision repair industry, backed by $7 million in DOL grant funding.

RAP is a two-year structured training program that combines paid, on-the-job learning with related technical instruction from the I-CAR Academy curriculum. Those who complete the program earn a nationally recognized credential from the DOL.

WrenchWay School Assist and Technician Pay Tool, alongside the CREF Donation Exchange platform, provide schools with access to information, equipment, and resources through direct connections to local and industry organizations.

“At WrenchWay, we’re focused on building stronger connections between schools, students, and employers,” said Jay Goninen, president and co-founder of WrenchWay, in the release. “Collaborating with ASE, I-CAR, and CREF allows us to expand those connections and help more students see the incredible opportunities available in today’s modern, technology-driven shops.”

School Assist was launched in 2024 as an online tool to help high schools and post-secondary schools with technician programs connect with local shops and dealerships. In October, WrenchWay, ASE, and the ASE Education Foundation announced a strategic partnership to promote School Assist.

Images

Featured photo provided by I-CAR