RICHMOND, Va. — The National Auto Body Council (NABC) is coordinating fundraising efforts, through the Collision Industry Foundation, to send two young technicians to compete at the 39th WorldSkills Competition in Japan Nov. 14-21, 2007.

Also assisting in the fundraising effort are the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP), the Automotive Service Association (ASA) and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) are involved, along with Mike Anderson of Wagonwork Collision Center.

"The industry needs to demonstrate its support of these young people who are dedicating their lives to our profession," says NABC executive director Chuck Sulkala. "The NABC believes there is no better way to do so than to help them compete with the best young repairers from around the world. Our competitors have already invested an enormous amount of time training for the event. We cannot let them down."

Phillip Lord of Granger, Ind., will represent the United States in the autobody repair competition. Chance Hendrix of Claremore, Okla., will compete in the car painting event.

The international event will be held in Japan's Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Over four days of competition, with more than 850 young people drawn from over 45 member countries or regions, will test themselves against tough international standards.

Those interested in contributing to the WorldSkills competition can do so online through the Collision Industry Foundation Web site. Checks from contributors can be made out to the Collision Industry Foundation and sent to: National Auto Body Council, P.O. Box 3007, Mechanicsville, Va., 23116.