Education Funding Threatened?

Jan. 1, 2020
One key announcement made during the recent Collision Industry Conference (CIC) in Phoenix came from the Education Committee, which reported a key piece of federal funding for vocational education is under threat.
One key announcement made during the recent Collision Industry Conference (CIC) in Phoenix came from the Education Committee, which reported a key piece of federal funding for vocational education is under threat. Given the shortage of qualified entry-level technicians in the industry, any funding decrease for vocational programs should concern every collision repair business owner.As our news article on page 25 explains, the Bush Administration’s 2004 Fiscal Year budget proposal seeks to cut funding of the Perkins Act, which distributes money to vocational schools across the country. Instead, the proposal earmarks money for programs on core skills such as math, reading and science in support of the No Child Left Behind initiative that will ultimately lead students toward post-secondary technical education or college.A key factor driving this change in budget priorities is the fact that the fastest growing job opportunities in the United States are primarily computer or healthcare related. Each of these fields typically requires post-secondary education for entry-level employees. Gone are the days when low-skill but high paying jobs abounded. To compete, new entrants in to the job market need basic skills in math and reading comprehension, combined with high-quality technical and college educations.In a statement to the U.S. House of Representatives explaining the motivation behind the change in budget priorities, Carol D’Amico, assistant secretary for vocational and adult education for the U.S. Department of Education, voiced what many business owners, who rely on vocational schools for entry-level employees, and vocational educators themselves have said for years—vocational schools are too often perceived as a less-challenging track for students who are seen as underachievers and potential high school dropouts. This perception by educators and guidance counselors that skilled trades such as plumbing, electrical, building trades and automotive repair are less challenging, is downright wrong. As those of us in the collision repair industry are all too aware, the basic knowledge necessary to succeed as a technician increases each year as vehicles grow more complex.While it is hard to argue with the Bush Administration’s desire to focus federal funding on basic skills and the desire to see every child afforded the opportunities of a post-secondary education, any decline in funding to vocational schools will hurt our industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that our industry needs 11,000 new technicians every year to keep pace with growth in jobs and the replacement needs from technicians retiring or leaving the industry.Vocational educators are urging our industry to let their elected representative know about concerns regarding the potential cut to traditional secondary vocational school programs. You should participate in this as well.Beyond this step, however, collision repair facility operators who want to grow their business must take the time to become involved with their local vocational school autobody program and any post-secondary programs that may exist in their communities. If funding cuts are realized, your involvement can help limit their impact on autobody training programs. Also, the I-CAR Education Foundation is currently preparing a national rollout of its PACE+ST3 training program designed to help schools provide the skills necessary for entry-level technicians. In addition to traditional technical education, the PACE+ST3 program combines in-shop work experience coupled with on-the-job mentoring to help students learn first hand the skills necessary to succeed in collision repair.The implementation guide that describes the specific steps necessary for students, schools and repair facilities who want to start a program in their local community will be available later this month. Check the I-CAR Education Foundation website at www.i-car.com/foundation/ for more information on PACE+ST3 and the Foundation’s other programs.While the news that vocational education funding may be cut is troubling, the hope that more people will graduate from high school with better basic skills is reassuring. Collision repairers who seek to remain profitable and grow their business need to invest in their local educational programs with both time, and where necessary, money, to ensure the continual supply of technicians so desperately needed to compete.

Sponsored Recommendations

Best Body Shop and the 360-Degree-Concept

Spanesi ‘360-Degree-Concept’ Enables Kansas Body Shop to Complete High-Quality Repairs

How Fender Bender Operator of the Year, Morrow Collision Center, Achieves Their Spot-On Measurements

Learn how Fender Bender Operator of the Year, Morrison Collision Center, equipped their new collision facility with “sleek and modern” equipment and tools from Spanesi Americas...

ADAS Applications: What They Are & What They Do

Learn how ADAS utilizes sensors such as radar, sonar, lidar and cameras to perceive the world around the vehicle, and either provide critical information to the driver or take...

Coach Works implements the Spanesi Touch system

Coach Works Uses Spanesi Equipment to Ensure a Safe and Proper Repair for Customers