ASE, I-CAR, CREF, WrenchWay Unite to Support Future Automotive Service Professionals

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, the Collision Repair Education Foundation, and WrenchWay have formed a collaborative partnership to address the need for service professionals, according to a recent press release.

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

First, the plan will address common misconceptions about the industry and showcase the array of rewarding, high-opportunity career paths available by engaging students, parents, and educators with impactful web, social, and print media advertising. ASE, CREF, I-CAR, and WrenchWay will collaboratively syndicate all media content targeting future technicians through paid and owned channels.

A second area of focus will be to provide accessible and affordable entry-level education solutions that drive skill development, support the mentor/mentee relationship, and lead to multiple industry recognized credentials. The partnership will also strengthen Career Technical Education schools through scholarships, donations, and certifications.

Finally, the organizations will provide new technicians with tools and mentorship, while supporting employers in creating a learning culture rooted in skill development, safety, and career advancement.

Initiatives are already underway, including a centralized job board and I-CAR Academy, a curriculum designed for shops or schools to educate entry-level technicians; as well as WrenchWay School Assist, Technician Pay Tool, and the CREF Donation Exchange platform.

“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. “We are committed to a shared goal of building the widest pathway to attract new talent and advance the collision repair field together.”

“At WrenchWay, we’re focused on building stronger connections between schools, students and employers,” said Jay Goninen, president and co-founder of WrenchWay. “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.”