Partnership with Collision Repair Education Foundation to Help Extend
Collision Repair Training to Veterans at the U.S. Army Base at Ft. Bragg
ST. PAUL, Minn., (February 16, 2015) – The goal of the 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division’s 3M Hire Our Heroes program is to provide tool grants and assistance to deserving military veterans through the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF).
To accelerate that effort, 3M AAD has partnered with the CREF to support Fayetteville Technical Community College, located near the U.S. Army base at Ft. Bragg in Fayetteville, NC, in the opening of a dedicated, high-tech, hands-on learning center as part of its new collision repair and refinishing technology training program.
“We are proud to be a supporter of the new collision repair training program and facility at Fayetteville Technical Community College,” said Dale Ross, U.S. Marketing Operations Manager at 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division.
“With their focus on ensuring their graduates are ‘shop ready’, and their close connection with Ft. Bragg, this fits well with our objective of the past three years to support our military veterans and their families through the 3M Hire Our Heroes program. Our military veterans deserve our support and the collision repair industry needs an infusion of new talent, and there are none better than those with the skills and training of our military veterans.”
Not only can veterans interested in a career in collision repair apply for the 3M Hire Our Heroes scholarships, they can learn their skills using the innovative 3M tools, materials and solutions donated to the program.
“These students are the future of our industry, and it is our job to provide the leading-edge training they need to succeed in repairing the advanced vehicles of tomorrow,” said Mark Algie, Business Development Manager, 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division. “By providing them the latest tools and repair materials available, and teaching the correct standard operating procedures, we can help ensure the next generation of collision repair professionals are highly qualified and ready to go to work.”
The facility features a 25,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art on-site production body shop administered by collision repair specialists. It includes a waterborne refinish system; waterborne-ready spray equipment, and an aluminum clean room; squeeze type resistance welders (STRSW), smart MIG systems capable of steel, aluminum and silicon bronze welding, resistance dent pullers, plasma cutters, and nitrogen plastic welders; and two state of the art frame alignment systems.
The featured 3M products include the 3M™ Dynamic Mixing System, 3M™ PPS™ Paint Preparation System, 3M™ Accuspray™ Spray Gun, 3M™ Dirt Trap, 3M power tools and 3M™ Speedglas™ welding and personal safety equipment ensure the students have the best and the latest technology available to them.
The five semester curriculum offers stackable credentials including six I-CAR platinum training designations and three I-CAR welding certifications and additional certifications and training covering Auto Service Excellence (ASE) B2 through B5 certifications, and equipment-specific training with industry partners. Non-structural cosmetic repair training will cover plastics, composites, steel and aluminum; structural repair will cover steel and aluminum. Students will also be trained in estimating and repair planning, body shop operations, lean processes (Six Sigma), and advanced automotive computer technologies. For more information on the Fayetteville program, visit www.faytechcc.edu/public_service/i-car.aspx
The 3M Hire Our Heroes grants are available for qualifying returning veterans and family members. Grants may be used for tuition, school fees, tools, textbooks and equipment at qualifying technical schools. In 2013 and 2014, the 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division donated $500,000 to hundreds of recipients through the 3M Hire Our Heroes program. For additional information and to apply, visit www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org.
The ultimate goal of the 3M Hire Our Heroes campaign is to support the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in raising awareness for hiring America’s heroes and help drive employment in the collision repair industry for these deserving veterans and their families. In addition, 3M is a national board member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Heroes program.
For more information on the 3M Hire Our Heroes campaign, contact Ted Guck, 3M Automotive Aftermarket, at tcguck@mmm.com or visit www.3mcollision.com/hire.
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