An association supporting collision industry education in the U.S. is using a milestone anniversary to highlight training challenges in the sector.
The Collision Repair Education Foundation is marking its 35th anniversary in 2026, with leaders positioning the milestone as a reflection point for the industry and an opportunity to reinforce its talent pipeline.
In a press release, its executive director Brandon Eckenrode (pictured) said the foundation was created in 1991 when industry leaders recognized “an urgent need to address the shortage of qualified entry-level technicians” and the lack of a standardized entry-level curriculum. He said that mission continues today, focused on “supporting collision repair educational programs and the students preparing to enter the industry.”
Since 2009 CREF has awarded nearly 1,200 School Benchmark Awards totaling almost US$6,000,000, and over the past 15 years has distributed more than US$3,000,000 in scholarships to more than 1,500 students. The foundation has facilitated more than US$130,000,000 in in-kind donations to collision repair programs nationwide.
“As we celebrate 35 years, we are also looking ahead to the next 35,” Eckenrode said, emphasizing continued industry engagement to strengthen workforce development efforts.
