Audatex, CCC and Mitchell offer over 500 collision repair schools free memberships through CREF
Year after year, Audatex, a Solera company; CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc. (CCC); and Mitchell, an Enlyte company, are partnering with the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) to support high school and post-secondary students by donating software subscriptions to help ensure that future collision repair technicians collision learn on the same software widely used by collision repair facilities and insurance companies where they will soon seek employment – at no cost to school or students. In 2021, nearly $10 million worth of software subscriptions were donated to more than 500 collision repair educational programs in schools across the United States.
“The Foundation is grateful to Audatex, CCC and Mitchell for their generous continued support of the collision industry education system and for providing this invaluable opportunity to the next generation of technicians, estimators and suppliers,” said CREF’s Director of Operations and Impact, Melissa Marscin. “Due to very limited funding, collision schools cannot always afford to purchase the latest programs and technologies for students to learn. Thanks to Audatex, CCC and Mitchell, these schools are able to teach their students the same curriculum they are likely to encounter after graduation, making them better entry-level employees since students who have access to the latest technology during their education are more likely to succeed when they begin their career in industry.
“The Foundation thanks Audatex for its continued support of the industry’s pre-employment training system,” said CREF CEO Brandon Eckenrode. “The ability to learn about current technology as a student has been proven to drive career success when these young people enter the workforce.”
Audatex’s generous software donations are part of the company’s collaboration with the Foundation on the Audatex Educational Institutions Program, which also provides eligible schools with access to online courses and training, a program personalized program including CEUs and I-CAR points, as well as technical support. This partnership has provided Audatex estimating software to nearly 300 collision repair programs in 41 states, a number that is growing every year. To qualify for the Audatex Educational Institutions Program, technical schools in the United States and Canada offering a collision repair program must complete the Educational Institutions Program Contact Form available at Audatex.us .
“Access to the technologies and tools that collision repair professionals rely on every day is essential for students to hone their craft and be productive as soon as they enter the workforce,” said Andreas Hecht, Vice-Principal Senior President, OEM Services Group, CCC. “CCC is proud to build on our decades of support, equipping tomorrow’s estimators and technicians with the technology they need to succeed and positively impact the industry.
CCC, a founding member of CREF, has helped tens of thousands of students from more than 500 schools through its generous donation of software, on-site and virtual training, and world-class technical support services, provided free of charge to students or to schools. The CCC ONE Estimating software package offered by CCC includes digital imaging capabilities, access to tire and recall databases, paintless dent removal guidelines and frame specs, plus other products and multi-access -users. It also provides access to CCC repair methods and CCC ONE Touch, CCC’s mobile estimating solution that allows estimates to be written directly on the car.
“We are proud to support CREF and its mission to meet the industry’s growing need for qualified and entry-level collision repairers,” said Debbie Day, executive vice president and general manager of Mitchell’s Auto Physical Damage division. “Mitchell is committed to providing innovative technology solutions that can be used by collision repairers already in the field as well as those soon to join the workforce.”
Mitchell’s contribution to CREF includes free access to Mitchell Cloud Estimating with Integrated Repair Procedures for students enrolled at participating schools. Advanced estimating software works seamlessly with Mitchell’s cloud-based product suite, providing aspiring collision repairers with essential training in technologies designed to effectively manage workflows and support the delivery of proper repairs and sure. Using Mitchell solutions, students also learn the importance of OEM repair procedures when diagnosing collision damage and developing repair plans for today’s most complex vehicles.
