One of the biggest challenges facing the collision repair industry is the shortage of qualified technicians capable of meeting, and growing with, the complex demands of today's modern fleet. The future success for so many collision repair businesses rest on the ability to find and cultivate young technical talent in an aging industry, making it critically important to support programs and initiatives that develop an appreciation for the trade. For this reason, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) and the March Taylor Memorial Fund have joined together to recognize some of the best and brightest career and technical students in the nation at the SkillsUSA Championships held June 22 - 26 in Louisville, Kentucky.
"SCRS' focus has always been to educate, inform and represent the industry, and at times, that representation is accomplished by supporting programs that promote excellence in our craft," shared SCRS Chairman Andy Dingman. "Finding motivated individuals that exhibit the necessary technical skill sets is something that our business - and every other quality repairer in the country - is constantly in need of. It is important to us at SCRS to make sure that those students exhibiting that level of drive and determination are rewarded, and supported as they enter into the trade. We want future technicians to know that there is an industry, and industry groups, which are committed to supporting their success."
Due to matching contributions from both organizations, competitors in the following categories who are awarded a Gold Medal will each receive a $1,250 tool scholarship that will be made available in the form of a credit to specified equipment and supply companies who are supportive of SkillsUSA. The awards will be provided as follows:
$1,250 Gold Medal - Collision Repair - High School
$1,250 Gold Medal - Collision Repair - Post Secondary
$1,250 Gold Medal - Automotive Refinish - High School
$1,250 Gold Medal - Automotive Refinish - Post Secondary
The March Taylor Memorial Fund was established in 2007 in honor of a beloved shop owner, SCRS board member, and friend to many in the industry.
"March Taylor lived and worked in the trade, and his life embodied the skilled work done on the collision facility floor," added Jeff Hendler, Fund Committee member. "The many donors to the March Taylor Memorial Fund came forward to benefit the technicians who labor daily within the many businesses across this country. The donations came in the name of a man who was a mentor to so many, and his heart was 100% in finding opportunities to advance people in the industry forward. Being able to set future technicians up with the basic tools they need to enter the trade is absolutely something he would have supported, and he would have wanted to do it in partnership with SCRS."
"I say it almost every year," adds SCRS Vice Chairman Kye Yeung, "The SkillsUSA program is a showcase of skill and achievement, and it gives me so much hope for the future of our industry. We need to encourage and embrace this type of commitment to excellence. There is a shortage of quality entry-level technicians in this industry, but not at this competition. I hope there is a day that the industry sees this as one of the leading recruitment tools for our workforce."
In addition to the tool scholarships, SCRS provides all technical schools that have students competing in the National Championship with a year-long courtesy membership in SCRS to keep the school, instructors and students connected to industry developments.
If your business is interested in joining the largest national trade association dedicated to representing the collision repair professional, please contact our offices at [email protected]. For more information about SCRS, visit our website at www.scrs.com.
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