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I-CAR INTRODUCES CONCEPT FOR ROLE-BASED TRAINING CURRICULUM
Based upon two years of feedback received from the collision inter-industry, I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, outlined a realignment of its curriculum that defines a framework for industry training based upon an individual’s role and level of experience and responsibility.
“Since late 2007, I-CAR has worked with individual members of the inter-industry across segments to fully understand their training needs,” said Tom Moreland of AkzoNobel and current Chairman of the I-CAR International Board of Directors. “During these discussions it became clear that the inter-industry desires a training regimen clearly focused on an individual’s role in the automotive collision claim and repair process. The realignment, or Professional Development Matrix, provides collision repairers, insurers, vehicle manufacturers, suppliers and I-CAR with a clear roadmap to provide relevant training and eliminate redundancy.”
The Professional Development Matrix was introduced by Moreland during a presentation at the Collision Industry Conference (CIC), held November 3 in Las Vegas, NV.
Moreland added, “I-CAR conducted an extensive outreach effort that led to the development of the Professional Development Matrix concept. Since previewing the concept at the I-CAR 30th Annual Industry Conference in July, I-CAR has conducted additional meetings with individuals and groups of repairers, insurers, vehicle manufacturers and suppliers from across the U.S. to get their input and feedback. The Professional Development Matrix also builds upon the work of other industry groups such as the CIC and industry associations.
During the CIC presentation, Jeff Peevy, Director of Field Operations for I-CAR and Jason Bartanen, Technical Director for I-CAR, provided a detailed view of the Professional Development Matrix concept. The matrix includes several collision repair and insurance roles with three levels of training achievement based upon the expanding task expectations as an individual progresses in his or her career.
Peevy and Bartanen also provided examples of how existing industry training, from I-CAR and members of its Industry Training Alliance, would fit into each role and level based upon the content of those courses and how they compare to the tasks defined for each role.
Following the descriptions of the roles and levels included in the Professional Development Matrix, John Edelen, President and CEO of I-CAR, detailed the not-for-profit training organization’s view of the transition from today’s training model to the new concept, including how the plan will impact recognition programs such as I-CAR’s Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individual designations.
“A key point raised by the inter-industry during the last two years is the importance of these programs, and the need for them to recognize advanced levels of role-specific training based upon the needs of each segment,” said Edelen. “I-CAR will work with the industry over the next several months to finalize the role and level designs along with a detailed view of how the ultimate design will impact I-CAR’s recognition programs.”
In addition to soliciting feedback from industry stakeholders during the NACE expo, I-CAR will be conducting a “Round Table” discussion at its Training Support Center in Hoffman Estates, IL on December 9 to gather additional feedback on the Professional Development Matrix.
“We have developed an aggressive timeline to finalize the design of the Professional Development Matrix and complete a transition impact analysis on the new framework, its administration needs, and recognition programs, and anticipate a launch during the summer of 2010,” said Edelen. “All of the work completed to date has been possible through the tremendous ongoing support and coaching I-CAR has received from the collision inter-industry. The continued feedback and support will enable this aggressive timetable to provide the inter-industry with a framework that assures that every person in the collision industry, current and future, has the necessary knowledge and skills relevant to their position to achieve a complete and safe repair.”