There are an estimated 275 million vehicles currently being operated across the United States. The need for qualified professionals to step in when a dent, scratch, or crash befalls any of those vehicles is only expected to grow.
The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is doing its part to ensure students enrolled in collision repair programs have the best equipment and resources available to meet expected industry demand. That includes current and future students in Amy Bogner’s Automotive Body Repair class at the LoGuidice Educational Center in Fredonia.
With the help of the Grant Services team at Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES, LoGuidice was awarded $25,000 from CREF in partnership with State Farm. The funding came from the foundation’s Benchmark Grant Program for 2024 and went toward the purchase of heavy-duty tool boxes and toolsets, along with an assortment of auto body equipment.
CREF Executive Director Brandon Eckenrode and local State Farm representative David Snow recently met with seniors in Bogner’s class to discuss the grant and the current need for skilled workers.
“As I’m sure you’ve heard from your instructor, this business is in dire need of entry-level people to come into the industry,” Eckenrode said.
He noted that there are about 30,000 students currently enrolled in collision repair programs, with an estimated 150,000 jobs that will need to be filled in the next five years.
“This grant program is meant to help with your technical education and to prepare you before going into the industry,” Eckenrode said.
Added Snow, “You guys are the future. People like me are starting to get older, and many are starting to retire. We really need our youth to step up and take the reins.”
Bogner thanked CREF for the opportunity to apply for the Benchmark Grant and to State Farm for its generous donation.
“With this support, I will be able to accommodate the growing enrollment in my program, giving me the resources to equip my students with essential skills, boost their confidence, and prepare them to excel in the future,” Bogner said previously.
Only two schools were awarded $25,000 through the grant program; the 2024 applicant pool was highly competitive, with 160 collision repair schools submitting applications.
“For your program to be singled out with this award is really big news,” Meredith Kenyon, E2CCB grant coordinator, told the Career & Technical Education seniors. “The funds were used to bring in a lot of equipment to give you a better experience here.”
Also in attendance during the pair’s visit were teacher aide Thomas Giambra, LoGuidice Principal Jose Pagan, and Leo Fial, director of P-TECH, Career & Technical Education, and Program Innovation.
Pagan said support from organizations like CREF goes far beyond the financial assistance.
“It opens doors for our students to see the full range of opportunities in the collision repair industry and to know they have a future in this field,” Pagan said. “We see every day how access to the right tools, training, and encouragement makes a difference in building confidence and career pathways.”
