While the topic of workforce development and skilled technician shortages has been a mainstay in industry headlines, the SkillsUSA National Championships continue to highlight the remarkable talent preparing to enter our industry through competition amongst high school and post-secondary level competitors.
The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) and the March Taylor Memorial Fund (MTMF) have made it a priority for the fifth consecutive year to partner in providing a $1,250 tool scholarship to each of the SkillsUSA National Championship four Gold Medalists competing in collision repair technologies and automotive refinishing technology. The tool scholarships are provided to help these competitors secure tools they will need as they bring their talent to the workforce.
This year’s competitors not only showcased their own high level of skill, but the caliber of the programs that helped them develop it.
From the Vanguard-Sentinel Career and Technology Centers in Ohio, and competing at the high school level, Noah Borer claimed the gold medal in collision repair technology and Caden Hoover took first in automotive refinishing.
From the Aims Community College-Windsor, in Colorado, and competing in the post-secondary level, Abagayle Boden received the gold medal with fellow Aims student Kaiden Brier taking first place in refinishing.
Borer and Boden took silver and bronze, respectively, last year in the high school division.
SCRS and MTMF are proud to recognize and support the talent being represented by these young competitors, and look forward to following their contributions to the collision repair industry.
The scholarships provide each recipient with a credit at Snap-on, who in turn provides a discount to the gold medalists as a means to further advance their ability to start their professional collection of tools.
"Snap-on believes in the value of SkillsUSA, and appreciates the opportunity to work with organizations like SCRS and MTMF to reward these competitors" stated Greg Rintala, National Sales Manager, Snap-on Industrial - Education Sales. "We want to see students competing in events like SkillsUSA enter into long and rewarding careers in the collision repair industry, and we believe efforts like the ones from these organizations serve as a valuable part of the solution to demonstrating leadership in addressing the skills gap."
"This competition is near and dear to my heart, and I’m really proud to be involved with organizations that find ways to support these kids" SCRS Chairman Brett Bailey shared. "We want people to understand it isn’t just a trade, but a vibrant industry with a lot of support and opportunity to develop a rewarding career. Kids and their parents should know that organizations like SCRS exist to help individuals and businesses find success in collision repair, and that we need people with their talents to grow into the sophisticated roles that are opening in repair facilities across the US."
“It’s not just talent that leads someone to a gold medal,” added MTMF Trustee, Jeff Hendler. “There is a lot of hard work and ambition that needs to exist to earn an accomplishment of this nature. These 4 are great ambassadors of that work ethic, and we are thrilled to be a part of their journey.”
For more information about SCRS, or to join, please visit the website at www.scrs.com, call toll free 1-877-841-0660 or email us at [email protected].
For more information, or to donate to the March Taylor Memorial Fund visit http://www.marchtaylormemorial.org/
