Kansas City Kansas Community College

The Auto Collision Repair program at the Technical Education Center of Kansas City Kansas Community College has received a much welcomed shot in the arm.

Thanks to the efforts of the I-CAR Education Foundation, the KCKCC-TEC has received a $10,000 grant from Mac Tools to upgrade and buy new tools for the shop.

Based out of Chicago, the I-CAR Education Foundation secures donations that support philanthropic and collision repair education activities such as those offered at KCKCC that promote and enhance career opportunities. In 2009, te I-CAR Foundation was able to provide $1.7 million in support to automotive collision school programs and students across the country. The KCKCC-TEC Auto Collision program is officially the only auto collision program in the state that is trained in all four levels of I-CAR training, which is the industry standard for assuring quality performance.

“KCKCC-TEC was one of more than 30 schools applying for a $50,000 grant offered by the Foundation this past fall,” said Brandon Eckenrode, Associate Director of Development. “While TEC did not get the $50,000 grant, schools were asked to submit a ‘Wish List’ of things that were needed. Through KCKCC-TEC’s application the Foundation saw that the school had a need for additional tools and when Mac Tools approached the Foundation wanting to provide on deserving school with a $10,000 grants, we felt KCKCC would be a great recipient.”

For Ron Bales, the coordinator of the Auto Collision Repair program and instructor Richard Gravelle, the new tools will mean increased opportunities for the 21 students in the post-secondary program and 30 in the high school program.

“This means a lot,” said Bales. “For one thing, it means we’re recognized by the I-CAR Education Foundation, something we’ve been seeking for about five years. They’re the top in the industry for knowing proficiency. The biggest need we have is for tools and these tools are recognized by NATEF (National Automotive Technical Education Foundation).” Bales noted that someone working in auto collision repair 10-15 years will have upwards of $40,000 worth of tools.

Bales also noted that many Kansas City auto collision shops have TEC graduates as employees earning incomes of $40,000 to $100,000 a year depending on their skill level and the demand for I-CAR certified collision specialists continues at a very high level.