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Vol. 37 / Issue 6 / June 2019
Solving the Tech Shortage: I-CAR is Helping Future Technicians Turn Their Passion into Lifelong Careers
2019 ASCCA/CalABC/CAA Joint Legislative Led by 3 Bills
by Stacey Phillips
by Ed Attanasio
When Nick Notte speaks to students across the country who are considering a job in the collision repair industry, he often shares his personal experience. The current senior vice president of sales for I-CAR (InterIndustry Conference on Auto Collision Repair) always had an interest in cars. He was able to turn that passion into a lifelong career and is now around vehicles every day. “The feedback you get from these kids is tremendous,” said Notte. “You can truly change their minds
and convince them that collision repair is a good way to go.” Formed in 1979, I-CAR is dedicated to providing the information, knowledge and skills required to perform complete, safe and quality repairs. The not-for-profit organization provides a variety of educational and training recognition programs for the collision repair industry. “I-CAR will soon offer 267 different courses to keep the industry on pace with technology innovation and skills development,” said Notte. With a strong network of more See Tech Shortage, Page 4
Common Mistakes Body Shops Make When Recycling & Staying Green
ices for recalled and expired goods. It also provides related education and training services for many companies, including collision repair shops. Headquartered in Lake Forest, IL, with many more bases of operation around the world, Stericycle maintains toxic waste incinerators in Utah and North Carolina.
by Ed Attanasio
Wade Scheel, director of governmental affairs at Stericycle Environmental Solutions, has been working at the 30year-old compliance company for 11 years and has three decades of industry experience. Stericycle specializes in Wade Scheel, collecting and disposing regdirector of ulated substances, such as governmental medical waste and sharps, affairs at Stericycle pharmaceuticals, hazardous Environmental Solutions waste, and providing serv-
What are the most common slip-ups that body shops encounter when
Q:
See Staying Green, Page 18
Every year, there are a handful of state bills that are relevant to the collision repair industry. These bills can either help or hurt body shops in California. Unless body shop owners address these bills and make their voices heard in Sacramento, the “good” bills can be defeated, while the “bad” bills can pass and become laws. It’s an unending battle, which is why the California Autobody Association (CAA) and other automotive repair companies convene in Sacramento annually to be part of the fight. The ASCCA/CalABC/CAA’s Automotive Aftermarket Industry Joint Legislative Day was held at the State Capitol on April 23. With three particular bills on their radar, all
three organizations had an opportunity to meet with their state representative. Both collision and mechanical repair industries were represented by more than 60 automotive professionals who attended the day-long event. The event was sponsored by CAA; the California Automotive Business Coalition (CalABC), an organization that has been representing the automotive industry since 1992; and the Automotive Service Councils of America (ASSCA). Following comments from Jack Molodanof, lobbyist for all three organizations, there was a discussion about AB 1303: Career Technical Education Incentive Grants (O’Donnell, D-Long Beach); AB 755: California Tire Tax: Storm Water Projects (Holden, D-San Gabriel Valley) and See 3 Bills, Page 12
CIC Speakers Debate Need to Legislate Use of OEM Repair Procedures
was geared towards new limits the legislation would have placed on the State legislative efforts to enact leg- use of non-OEM parts. islation on the use of OEM repair pro“In the collision industry, we cedures have bogged down. can’t seem to escape loading Other issues, such as steerthese things up,” Bob Reding and non-OEM parts, ding, national lobbyist for have taken priority. Therethe Automotive Service Asfore, these issues are being sociation (ASA), said of incorporated into the prosuch state bills. “Only a few posed legislation, according [of the current proposed state regulations] are skinny to speakers at the Collision Bob Redding bills, dealing with OEM Industry Conference held in procedures. We often see parts get in. Nashville, TN. For example, a bill in Nevada In some state bills, like in Texas, you that would have prohibited an in- see steering slip in there. When you surer “to repair a motor vehicle in a have a bill moving, people try to manner which is contrary to the rec- solve every single issue in it. It brings ommendations of the manufacturer in all sorts of controversy when it of the vehicle,” failed to move for- picks those other kinds of things. It ward by a legislative deadline, this brings out other adversaries, and typspring. Opposition to the bill surfaced ically [the bills] have problems along at a hearing in March. The opposition See CIC Speakers Page 20
by John Yoswick
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