< PreviousI-CAR Platinum Technician “Beats Down the Door” to Glean Specialized Training That’s why he practically beat down the doors to be among the first to enroll in I-CAR’s first-ever EV Hands-On Skills Development Course (HOSD), a 5-day specialized training session offered exclusively at I-CAR’s new Chicago Technical Center (CTC) in Vernon Hills, IL. “No one is offering this level of specialized EV training; we hounded them to ensure we were in this class on Day One,” said Battershell. BRAD BATTERSHELL Technical Development Specialist When it comes to electric trucks, Brad Battershell, Technical Development Specialist with Penske Truck Leasing’s collision repair center business, covets all of the training he can get his hands on. 10 I - CAR COLLISION REPORTERFIRST-RATE INSTRUCTION “The knowledge was first-rate; nothing was missed,” he said. “It really opened my eyes to all aspects of EV safety. I left feeling like I completely understand every safety consideration, and that not only could I complete a safe repair, but I could actually direct someone to perform this work.” Penske recently ordered 750 Ford E-Transit light-duty electic vehicles, so the timing to complete the new course was spot-on. “Safety was foremost, but in the end we learned components, how they interact, the side effects and potential dangers,” he said. “The number-one learning was how to achieve zero potential of electrical shock. That is Job #1.” In addition to theory, Battershell and his fellow learners spent plenty of time practicing – and perfecting – key safety repair troubleshooting considerations. Battershell said he appreciates the diversity of learners’ and instructors’ backgrounds, which spanned a variety of body shop settings and environments – from rural to urban and those shops seeing few to many EVs. “It only reinforces how this training is designed for technicians in every single location out there; anyone in any division can benefit from this course,” he said. CONFIDENCE BUILDER As an I-CAR Platinum Technician, Battershell is quite adept at complex collision repairs and wanted to achieve that level of confidence with EVs. Mission accomplished, he claimed. “It [the course] was a real eye-opener; this is a totally different part of collision repair and designed for any level of technician. EVs are not going away – they’re here and the market is only going to be flooded some more. If we don’t adapt now, we’re going to be unprepared.” “I’m totally elated with the training I received and how it is preparing me for the future. I-CAR is leading the way. They are holding the torch and we are following their guiding light and footsteps.” “No one is offering this level of specialized EV training; we hounded them to ensure we were in this class on Day One.” - Brad Battershell 11 THE EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES ISSUEIf you blink, you’ll miss it. That’s pretty much how Andy Powell, owner of Andy’s Auto Collision Repair, describes his beloved hometown of Brownstown, Illinois, a rural community of just 700. It’s the kind of close-knit community that rests on the time- honored value of neighbors helping neighbors. That’s why this charming, rural area served as the ideal backdrop for Powell to continue those small-town sensibilities in building a life there with wife, Michele; celebrating the birth of their son, Andy, Jr.; and ultimately opening Andy’s Auto Collision Repair nearly 23 years ago. With a mighty staff of three, business boomed over the years. Powell credits the success directly to I-CAR training, and specifically to how achieving Platinum™ designation in every role has been a career game-changer. PROUDEST CAREER MOMENT “Becoming Platinum is one of the best things that I’ve done in my 30-plus years in the collision repair industry,” he said. “I always encourage every one of my employees to be the best that they can; I-CAR Platinum is the one thing that shows me a technician is trained at the highest level. The proudest moment I’ve had in my autobody career is getting all nine Platinum designations.” In 2017, Powell’s son joined the business and it soon became apparent they would need to move to grow. They constructed a 5,000-square-foot shop about eight miles away in Vandalia, another small town. As business took off, the team made a commitment to achieve I-CAR Gold Class ® recognition, leaning on I-CAR’s training subscription program for its value. They have never looked back. “Heck, I’m paying for it (subscription program), so I might as well as take advantage of it. You can’t learn too much – every class I take I‘ll pick up something new.” Calibrating the Future a Bright Future in ADAS With Small-Town Sensibilities Andy’s Auto Collision Repair Brownstown, Il 12 I - CAR COLLISION REPORTER“I wanted to see a state-of-the-art ADAS lab so that I could model mine against the industry standard,” he said. Powell also wanted to be prepared to handle any kind of ADAS-related repair/calibrations coming into his bay and perfect his skills learning from I-CAR’s Subject Matter Experts. REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE “It was very worthwhile; it’s all real-world experience,” he said. In fact, two days after Powell completed the ADAS HOSD course, the exact same car he trained on rolled into his shop. The experience also underscores an insight he holds close as a driving force of his now six-person shop that has nearly tripled its gross revenues in just under four years. “It’s kind of a simple thing – do the right thing and everything falls into place,” he said. “I give a lot of credit to getting Gold Class. You have to have a plan and a vision and want to do it. If I can do it, anyone can do it.” He also has never wavered from putting the needs of his customers – many of whom are his local community neighbors – at the top of the priority list. “We’re on our customers’ side; they come first and their safety. Each and every customer, in fact, receives a complimentary Andy’s Auto Collision Repair tee-shirt. We come from a small town, go to the same restaurants, the same schools. I see my customers everywhere, so I want that experience to be a great one.” Read more about the value of I-CAR’s Platinum designation from 25 collision repair professionals across the country as I-CAR’s Platinum program celebrates 25 years on page 16. A RIGHT WAY TO FIX VEHICLES And learn he does. Over the years, Powell believes he has completed more than 400 I-CAR courses, and readily admits his drive for training has meant sacrificing a few evenings to complete an online course. “I try to educate myself on every little thing out there. There’s a right way to fix them [vehicles].” And the quest to train continues. Powell recently completed I-CAR’s 3-day ADAS Hands-On Skills Development (HOSD) course at the Chicago Technical Center in Vernon Hills, Illinois, and plans to complete the 5-day Electric Vehicle Hands On Skills Development (HOSD) course in 2023. He says the investment of time was well worth it, as his business is poised to grow again with the addition of a 3,000-square-foot dedicated ADAS center. Andy Powell works on a calibration 13 THE EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES ISSUEIt is extraordinary that a successful person who is memorialized as an industry icon, legend, visionary and pioneer is equally remembered as being kind, honest, caring, generous, selfless, and a gentleman and friend. Mr. Jeff Silver, a tireless industry advocate right up to the end of his 80 years, was that extraordinary blend – a beloved industry giant. The former I-CAR leader’s accomplishments were prodigious, and his personal qualities endeared him to so many that the grief over his passing on September 23, 2022, was felt throughout the collision repair inter-industry. “My sadness is profound,” said his wife Jeanne, who worked alongside her husband from 1995 to 2021 at their CARSTAR collision repair center in Mundelein, Illinois. It had always been Mr. Silver’s dream to operate a collision repair business. The pair would pivot to consulting, but not before reaching their 25-year I-CAR Gold Class shop anniversary – an especially meaningful milestone for Mr. Silver, a staunch champion of this I-CAR recognition program for shops. “Everyone benefited from his contributions to the automotive industry,” Jeanne said. “He was a class act, and everyone who met him knew they had known someone truly wonderful.” Jeff Silver Remembering a beloved industry giant 14 I - CAR COLLISION REPORTERJohn Van Alstyne, I-CAR CEO & President, said that Mr. Silver’s contributions over his 50-year career are immeasurable. Programs he championed, such as I-CAR Platinum and Gold Class recognition, are still standing strong today. “His passion for educational standards across the inter- industry will continue coming to life through I-CAR’s ongoing commitment to support the technical information, knowledge and skills our industry requires today and tomorrow. We are grateful for his comradery and guidance throughout the years, and our Jeff Silver Memorial Award presented annually (recognizing an exceptional Platinum individual) will help ensure our fond memories of Jeff and his unending passion live on.” Jeanne Silver invites everyone to read her late husband’s story on his LinkedIn page. There you’ll learn how Mr. Silver himself summed up his life, so full of accomplishment, it defies recapping. We, at I-CAR, particularly are indebted to Mr. Silver’s stepping in as CEO in 1985 when the development and production costs of our initial series of unibody training courses threatened our solvency. He guided our organization through this critical time and at the end of his 11 years of leadership, I-CAR was thriving and poised to become the world-class organization it is today. Jeff Silver’s loss will be felt keenly, but we will not be lost without him because he blazed a clear path for us to follow. “Jeff could always be counted on to voice ‘the right thing,’” said Mark Boudreau, president, Dulles Coachwork. “Thank you, Jeff, for the path you have left us.” “The auto collision industry is in a better place because of (him).” – Dan Kilpatrick, retired from Fox Valley Technical College as Oshkosh (WI) Campus Director, Division Dean and Instructor “(An) incredible person who positively shaped the collision repair industry” – Dave Luehr, Founder, Elite Body Shop Solutions The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) will administer a memorial scholarship created by the Jeff Silver family. Mr. Silver played an active role in establishing CREF in 1991, and the Jeff Silver Memorial Scholarship “will allow his vision to carry on in supporting these students,” according to Jeanne Silver. LEARN MORE 15 THE EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES ISSUEI-CAR launched its Platinum recognition program in 1997, and since then TENS OF THOUSANDS of collision repair professionals have attained this industry- recognized designation for achieving and maintaining high levels of role-relevant training that contributes to complete, safe and quality repairs. Training to Platinum keeps professionals current on vehicle technology, improves their job performance, assists with their career development and also contributes to a shop or insurer’s achievement of Gold Class recognition. In celebration of 25 years of this legacy program, we’ve captured insights excerpted from a recent survey about the value of Platinum from 25 inter-industry professionals. From coast to coast and from small town to sprawling metropolis, here’s what they had to say: “Becoming Platinum is one of the best things that I’ve done in my 30+ years in the collision repair industry. I always encourage every one of my employees to be the best that they can and being I-CAR Platinum is the one thing that shows me a technician is trained at the highest level. The proudest moment I’ve had in my autobody career is getting Platinum in all nine roles.” – Andy P. “I am still new in my role [so] being Platinum allows me to feel more confident in the answers I am giving as I help develop and train new adjusters, many of whom were not ‘car people’ just like I wasn’t when I started with the company. This experience has truly come full circle for me and it feels awesome to be able to contribute.” – Tre F. 16 I - CAR COLLISION REPORTER“I’ve been I-CAR trained for 20 years. Throughout the years of climbing to Platinum, the info [provided] gives you a better understanding of what and why we do things a certain way. It’s a great feeling of keeping a high level of pride of being Platinum.” – Bruce S. “I’ve been in the collision industry for almost 36 years. I believe in being the best at what you do, and knowledge is a tool you can’t put a premium on.” – Manuel M. “I have been doing collision repair for 50 years. I thought I was pretty knowledgeable until I started taking I-CAR training... guys I’m telling you, take the classes. I’m proof you can teach an old dog the right way to do it.” – Bill H. “I have been repairing vehicles since 1990; [today] I am a tech and a mentor to two trainees. I feel a lot more confident in my ability to teach others the proper way because of the constant training and courses from I-CAR. Because of my training and knowledge, I am more than competent to conduct any type of collision repair without hesitation. The automotive field changes so quickly and drastically at times that the training is necessary to keep abreast.” – Robert R. “I have been in the collision industry for 25 years; I believe there is always more to learn. When I was given the chance to become Platinum, I didn’t hesitate. I feel accomplished! My advice is to follow your dreams, work hard and stay focused.” – Tammy L. “I have been in the industry for 30 years. If it wasn’t for I-CAR, I would not have been able to achieve the level of professionalism [and training] that I have achieved.” – Ryan L. “Earning Platinum was one of the greatest accomplishments in my training portfolio. I have managed over 43 collision repair centers in Southern California [over a 32+ year career]. I-CAR Platinum shows your customers and peers that you are at the top of your industry in training. With vehicle designs changing rapidly and technology now at the speed-of-light, there is no better way to stay on top of those industry changes than to maintain the highest level of training the industry has to offer.” – Don G. CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 > “I have gone from sweeping floors to owning my own shop with my brother who is also Platinum. It is always nice to have continuing education in this ever-changing field.” – Ryan W. 17 THE EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES ISSUE“Obtaining I-CAR Platinum has allowed me to excel in multiple career fields, from auto- damage appraising, conducting damage analysis and estimating, to working in a special investigations unit focused on auto- damage related insurance fraud, and most recently, to motor engineer at one of the most technologically advanced artificial intelligence companies in the world. Achieving Platinum will set you apart from your colleagues and demonstrate your mastery of I-CAR’s industry- leading standards. Maintaining my Platinum designation has been and will continue to be one of my top priorities!” – Adam E. “I came into the industry seven years ago knowing nothing. In that amount of time the knowledge that I-CAR has given me is incomparable and has set me on a very promising career. The more Platinum certificates I obtain, the broader my understanding of the business is. This not only helps my family and myself, but the company I work for who invests in this knowledge.” – Howard C. “Since I was a little boy, my dream was to become a doctor. I got the opportunity to learn about how to repair a car according to manufacturer specifications (the right way). Now at (age) 46, I realized I’m a doctor – a doctor of cars.” – Roberto G. “Throughout my 15-year career, technology, materials and designs have never stopped evolving. We all need to keep up to date and I-CAR does an amazing job. I encourage all of my colleagues to continue learning and taking classes; not only for themselves, but our clients and customers to ensure they continue to be safe in their vehicles.” – Ross K. “I-CAR is such an incredible resource for myself and my team. To be able to get the training on demand has changed the collision industry. With the economics of today’s markets, I’m seeing more and more body techs retire; and with the help of I-CAR, I’m able to attract and train young talent to replace the experienced technicians who have retired.” – Matt B. “I have been in the auto repair business since 1972. I have always wanted to stay up to date with current trends and technology. I-CAR has helped me all these years to gain the knowledge needed. Because of I-CAR, I have been fortunate enough to run one of the largest body shops in Milwaukee for 23 years, and now another very high-volume shop.” – David L. “With Platinum training, I have broadened my knowledge and most importantly, I have been able to stay educated and gain new knowledge of the latest vehicle technology in the industry, helping me to improve my performance in my current role with confidence.” – Leyrali S. PLATINUM CONTINUED ”I-CAR training has really helped me stay up-to-date on the cutting edge of emerging technologies and trends for the collision industry.” – Florentino C. 18 I - CAR COLLISION REPORTER“I worked as a detailer for almost 10 years, until I expressed my interest in being an estimator. I have learned about what it takes to repair them back to pre-loss condition. Every I-CAR class I take, something new is learned. Cars are changing all the time; more and more technology is being put into each vehicle made. I-CAR has made it possible to keep up with the ever-changing technology and repair methods, so we can continue to repair them (vehicles) safely and correctly.” – Joey M. “Becoming Platinum has opened many doors. I [have been] the manager of a body shop for the past five years [and] I would not trade it for anything. Becoming I-CAR Platinum has given me the knowledge and assurance to make all repairs safe and gives me peace of mind.” – Jeffrey M. “I came to work into the automotive repair industry in 2016 not knowing a single thing about auto body repairs. [Working] in the auto repair industry showed me how much there is to learn and keep up with an industry that’s ever evolving. It was a slow process in learning, up until I learned of I-CAR. I immediately signed up and started taking classes. Once I received my Platinum recognition, and added that small detail to my email signature, I found that my estimates were taken more seriously. I value the knowledge that I have gained because they have helped me learn and keep up with the ever-changing demands this industry brings. I proudly display my certificates in the office and some people question how a woman can know so much of the auto repair process and claims process. I owe a big part of that knowledge from I-CAR, and I’m still continuing to take classes to keep up with all the changes.” – Ortega F. “I began taking I-CAR courses in the early 2000s, and it has been instrumental in furthering my automotive career – from technician to hosting the History Channel’s Xtreme off-road, to now paying it forward by teaching women and children the power of the trades. Seventeen years in and I’m still just as fascinated by the automotive industry as I was then.” – Eliza L. “In the repair business and throughout your life, learning is integral to your success. Becoming a Platinum learner with I-CAR is a great way to stay abreast of the technical changes in the repair industry.” – Kurt R. “When the automotive technology is changing at a rapid pace. It is critical to be trained to complete a successful repair.” – Sam P. “I-CAR has made me more aware and knowledgeable in the repair process of today’s vehicles. It is essential to have I-CAR training in today’s world of vehicle repair.” – Nick H. 19 THE EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES ISSUENext >