The apprenticeship rotation approach empowers students to acquire and master essential skills, which allows them to become valuable employees from day one.
The program is designed to align closely with industry demands, with the curriculum, training, materials, and equipment all carefully tailored to meet the needs of the field.
Our students are provided with personal and professional development training. The goal of this training is to foster strong workplace relationships, improve soft skills, and prepare the students for their coursework and future careers.
It is required that our partner collision repair facilities employing CEP students assign an employee to serve as the student's mentor. This mentor plays a critical role in guiding and monitoring the student's training throughout their time in the program.
We believe that financial barriers should not prevent individuals from pursuing their education and career goals, and we want to do our part to help alleviate some of that burden for our students.
The hallmark feature of the CEP Model is the apprenticeship rotation, which allows students to commence their program path with classroom and laboratory instruction at their respective educational institutions. The classroom rotations are designed to equip students of CEP's partner collision repair training programs with industry-created curriculum that aligns with industry certification opportunities. This approach enables CEP participating students to graduate with certifications that expedite their career trajectory before transitioning to full-time employment.
Upon completion of the initial classroom rotation, students embark on their "work rotation" with a sponsoring collision repair facility. By being exposed to the industry before graduation, students are more likely to remain in the field, and the CEP's approach has yielded impressive results with 100% of program participants securing a job before graduating, often with the shop where they interned.
The program is designed to align closely with industry demands. The curriculum, training, materials, and equipment are all carefully tailored to meet the needs of the field. Regular updates are provided with input from industry partners, ensuring that students stay on top of emerging trends and the latest technological advancements in the industry.
A crucial component of the model is providing our students the valuable opportunity to attain industry certifications, which enables them to make significant strides in their careers prior to becoming full-time employees. Collision Engineering, in keeping with its commitment to fostering the growth and development of its apprentices, assumes the cost of these certifications. These certifications take technicians who begin their careers in a shop up to six years to attain. In contrast, the comprehensive training and instruction provided by the program enables students to obtain these highly demanded certifications in as little as two years.
An integral aspect of the program is the comprehensive personal and professional development training. Both the student and their assigned mentor are required to participate in this training, which is designed to equip them with a range of skills that are critical to their success. These skills include gaining an understanding of their unique learning styles, preparing for career readiness, participating in personality and behavioral assessments, identifying natural strengths, and learning how to internalize appreciation in the workplace. The overarching goal of this training is to foster sustainable, strong workplace relationships, improve soft skills, and prepare the students for their coursework and future careers.
Our model is designed to create a full circle support system for students as they progress through their collision repair training in the apprenticeship program. We recognize that success in this field requires more than just individual effort - it requires a collaborative effort from a range of stakeholders. That's why our model includes instructors, mentors, and employers as integral parts of the support system. By working closely with students, these professionals provide individualized guidance, feedback, and encouragement that help students overcome challenges and maximize their potential. Together, they create a holistic support network that addresses the needs of the whole student and ensures that they receive the best possible training and preparation for a successful career in collision repair.
We understand that pursuing an education can be a significant financial burden, and we want to do our part to help alleviate some of that burden for our students, which is why we offer tuition reimbursement to our students. As part of this program, students receive a $500 stipend for each successfully completed work rotation during their first year in the program, up to a total of $1,500. This reimbursement program is designed to make education more accessible and affordable for our students. By offering tuition reimbursement, we hope to encourage our students to focus on their education and training, rather than worrying about how they will pay for it.
Paid internships are a key feature of the program, fostering a sense of investment and commitment among students while motivating them to hone their skills. It is mandatory that all apprentices are paid, and the program requires that they receive compensation above the minimum wage in their area.
As a crucial part of the program, Collision Engineering equips each student with a starter tool kit before their first work rotation at no cost to the student. The tool kit is designed by CEP instructors and students to provide students with all the necessary equipment to effectively participate in their apprenticeship. Upon successfully completing the program, students retain full ownership of their tool kits, which enables them to build upon it as they advance in their career. This approach provides students with a strong foundation and ensures they are well-equipped to succeed in their future endeavors.
Meet our small team that makes a great impact
Helterbrand, as the National Program Director for the Collision Engineering Program, holds a pivotal role in leading nationwide initiatives aimed at advancing collision repair programs. With an unwavering dedication to addressing workforce challenges in the industry, Helterbrand skillfully manages the connection between education and industry, strengthening the talent pipeline in the process. By fostering strategic partnerships and collaborations with educational institutions and industry stakeholders, John skillfully implements his program on a national scale, empowering students with the skills required for successful careers in the field.
Jones collaborates closely with a proficient team to create and deliver valuable resources and cutting-edge solutions for educational institutions and industry partners. With a wealth of experience, proven best practices, strong connections, and streamlined processes, Shelly consults with Collision Engineering's college partners and stakeholders, nurturing relationships and establishing a solid groundwork for successful apprenticeships. Furthermore, she works alongside the Collision Engineering team and industry representatives to identify and explore prospective college partnerships, while also playing a pivotal role in onboarding new colleges.
Mahoney plays an integral role in the program, and is responsible for developing and executing marketing initiatives to increase awareness of career opportunities, industry engagement, and apprenticeship adoption. She also is responsible for overseeing and managing relationships of the program with marketing and communication firms. In addition to this, Mahoney leads the Impact Personal & Professional Development program, designed to help students advance in their careers.
Helterbrand serves as the Social Media Manager and Operations Assistant for Collision Engineering. Helterbrand curates content and drives impactful campaigns to enhance the program's online presence. In addition, she collaborates with schools to create engaging content, while also leveraging her creative skills to design captivating marketing materials. Helterbrand's contributions extend beyond social media, as she actively supports CEP's operational needs, ensuring efficiency across various initiatives.
Nitz is a graduate of CCC and grew up in and around the automotive and collision industry. She serves as the West Coast Regional Workforce Coordinator for CEP. Nitz has a passion for building connections and works closely with businesses, education partners, and community leaders to ensure that students have access to high-quality training and job opportunities. She supports the Collision Engineering program students with anything from registering for classes to securing a job and beyond. Nitz also promotes the CEP providing a strong social media presence and in-person community outreach.
Erick is dedicated to empowering students in the field of collision repair. With many resources and experience working with three prominent schools nationwide, he is passionate about fostering program engagement through internships and apprenticeships. Erick's mission is to guide students towards successful careers in collision repair by organizing career fairs, providing scholarship opportunities, and connecting them with valuable employment resources.