Classic Auto Collision earns Gold

MARQUETTE — Classic Auto Collision recently announced its award of Gold Class status, an industry standard for training that contributes to complete and safe repairs, according to a press release from the company.

The status was awarded by I-CAR, or the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, a not-for-profit training organization formed in 1979.

Only 10 percent of collision repair businesses currently meet the training requirements necessary to earn the Gold Class designation, the release states.

Gold Class shops must have every technician involved in collision repair take training each year specific to their roles, including classes in new technology, as the industry is continually introducing new components and parts.

“We are proud of our commitment to training because it is also a symbol of our commitment to professionalism and to the safety of our customers,” Jennifer Kinney, of Classic Auto Collision, said in the release.

U.P. employers are ‘Going PRO’

MARQUETTE — The UPward Talent Council Michigan Works! recently announced that Upper Peninsula employers have received funding of more than $1.15 million from the Going PRO Talent Fund, a press release states.

Last year, U.P. employers received $685,097 through the Going PRO Talent Fund, formerly known as the Skilled Trades Training Fund.

Michigan’s Talent Investment Agency states training must be “customized to meet employee skill requirements and is short-term in duration, preferably less than three months, with no training extending more than six months.” TIA more specifically states: “The training must lead to a credential for a skill that is transferable and recognized by industry.” Employers who utilize these grant funds must commit to retaining employees after completion of their training.

Employers interested in Going PRO Talent Funds collaborated with their local Michigan Works! American Job Center staff to complete applications. The U.P.’s UPWARD Talent Council Michigan Works! serves all 15 counties and submitted applications to the state on behalf of the employer in October.

From 2014-2018, 2,234 companies statewide were awarded training funds. The average amount of each award was $32,068. The average training cost per person was $962. Sizes of companies receiving awards range from less than 100 employees, to 500 or more employees. Employers are encouraged to hire veterans and receive an additional $500 for each newly-hired veteran.