Collision Repair Training | Australia
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Collision Repair Training | Australia
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Current Events/News: E-newsletter: 2001 Archives |
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Foss is the national dealer development manager for the Toyota Customer Service Division of Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. In addition to numerous dealer consultation and support programs, he is responsible for Toyota’s Certified Collision Center Program, the operation of Toyota’s technician recruiting program – the Toyota Technical Education Network (T-TEN) and Toyota’s involvement in Automotive Youth Education Systems (AYES). Foss began his career with Toyota in 1985 and was a part of Toyota’s first company-wide effort to become more involved in "the last frontier of the dealership automotive business:" the collision repair industry. Foss stated, "customer satisfaction, customer retention, and brand loyalty are all good reasons for dealers to become more involved in the collision repair process. I believe it’s a natural trend for OEMs to be more tuned in and more proactive in the collision repair arena, for the benefit of their vehicle owners." As part of that initiative, Foss became more aware of I-CAR and its role in the industry. He was asked to serve on I-CAR’s board of directors in 1996. Since then, Foss has "challenged other OEMs to get more involved" as well. He stated, "there is an obvious motivator for the OEMs. Through the sale of original equipment crash parts, every OEM has a vested interest in the collision repair business. By ensuring that our customers receive high-quality collision repair, it not only increases customer satisfaction, but increases the chance that they’ll come back to us for their next new car." As chairman, Foss stated that one of his personal initiatives for the next year is to encourage OEMs to work more closely with I-CAR. He stated, "I-CAR is an integral part of the Toyota Technical Education Network and is a valuable asset for the training program of any OEM." In addition, Foss is looking forward to the many new I-CAR initiatives that are unfolding. "I am very excited about this year," Foss stated, "it’s a great time to be in this position. Over the past several years, we've re-engineered I-CAR’s role in the industry to some extent; and a lot of our initiatives, like the Enhanced Delivery curriculum, the Industry Training Alliance, and the industry-wide Gold Class Professionals program, are going to be taking off this year." |
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I-CAR TO OFFER ENHANCED DELIVERY PROGRAMS AT NACE Join I-CAR at NACE this year and attend one of the latest Enhanced Delivery programs! I-CAR will offer four programs from its Enhanced Delivery curriculum on Thursday, November 29. Learn more about damage analysis, corrosion protection, structural steel or aluminum TIG welding. You may sign up for the classes as part of your NACE registration, either online at www.naceexpo.com or by calling 888-529-1641. The programs will be offered at a cost of $75 for each four-hour program. The class schedule on Thursday, November 29 is:
For more details about the content of these programs, check out our online course descriptions. While you’re at NACE, be sure to visit I-CAR at Booth #2035 for a complete course catalog and information on other I-CAR initiatives such as the Industry Training Alliance and the Gold Class Professionals program. |
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AWARD PROFILE: NORTHEAST REGION Founder’s Award – Charlie Cooke Congratulations to Charlie Cooke of Closter, NJ! Charlie has been involved with I-CAR since nearly the beginning. One of the first instructors in New Jersey, Charlie began teaching I-CAR’s first nine-part course in 1980. As a vocational school instructor, Charlie’s teaching experience was a great asset to I-CAR, which had no formal instructor training program at the time. Over the years, Charlie has been involved in many different aspects of the industry, teaching at a vocational school, managing a body shop, and now working in the insurance industry. Throughout his different roles, he has been involved in I-CAR – teaching classes, volunteering, and ensuring that he sent his own technicians for the proper training. Charlie currently serves as co-chair for the North New Jersey I-CAR Committee. He is Allstate’s pro damage evaluator, where he oversees 27 repair facilities, reviewing the quality of repair and building better working relationships between the body shops and Allstate. Charlie is a strong advocate of training and passes on his enthusiasm to the shops he manages. "Education is the only real key to this industry," he said. "The more education we get, the better we understand the industry, the better off our customers will be." When Charlie began his current position, none of his shops were Gold Class; now the majority of them are. Charlie has said that one of his biggest challenges is conveying the benefit of training to shops that have not previously participated. "Once they're in the class, and they realize the benefits of it, then the rest is easy," he stated. His plans for the future are to "stay involved, stay out there, and keep promoting I-CAR. It’s an ongoing effort – you can never let up." Instructor of the Year - Pete Fryzel Congratulations to Pete Fryzel of Martinsville, NJ! Pete Fryzel first began his involvement with I-CAR as a student in the mid-1980s. He quickly became more interested and realized that "I-CAR provided something that was lacking in the industry." When asked to become an instructor fifteen years ago, he readily agreed. At the time, only one collision repair course was taught, but as vehicle construction changed and became more complex, others were soon added. Today, Pete teaches a wide variety of I-CAR courses and is currently focused on the new Enhanced Delivery curriculum. He also serves on I-CAR’s Gold Class Steering Committee, Instructor Advisory Committee and his local Martinsville Committee # 0088. In addition to his commitment to I-CAR, Pete provides consulting and automotive training to Prudential Property & Casualty. When asked how he balances his work life with his I-CAR instruction, he says, "Prudential is thrilled that I'm involved with I-CAR; one benefits the other." He added, "I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing in my current position [at Prudential] if it wasn't for I-CAR. They have given a lot to me." Pete looks forward to continuing his involvement with I-CAR and teaching new courses as they become available. "I'm a techie at heart, and I-CAR helps you stay on the cutting edge," he stated. However, he says his favorite aspect of I-CAR is not the technology, but the people he's met. "I-CAR is like a big family. It’s about the people you meet and the friendships you have." |
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I-CAR announced its 2001-2002 board of directors and executive committee at the I-CAR international annual meeting in Baltimore. Leading the