The I-CAR Education Foundation named Steel Center Area Vocational Technical School in Jefferson Hills, Pa., as the winner of the $50,000 Ultimate Collision Education Makeover grant.

Selected from more than 30 school applications, the school’s collision program is supported by instructor Jim Fichera, director John Sandrene, as well as local industry members that serve on the school’s advisory committee and the local I-CAR Committee.

“Steel Center Area Vocational Technical School fits the goal of the Ultimate Collision Education Makeover Program perfectly; they have been doing an outstanding job in educating students in collision repair, have a strong relationship with their local collision repair shops and other businesses, and have been successful at placing graduates within their community.  We believe strongly this grant to improve their program’s teaching materials and equipment will result in even greater success for their students and benefit the entire collision industry,” says Scott Kruget, I-CAR executive director.

“Due to a state budget deficit, the state had to make budget cuts in career and technical education equipment funds. This grant will make it possible for our students to keep current with the technical changes in the field and be better prepared for entry-level employment and post-secondary training,” says John Sandrene, director at Steel Center Area Vocational Technical School.

As part of the application required schools to identify how exactly they would utilize the $50,000 grant, the I-CAR Education Foundation will be working together with the Steel Center Area Vocational Technical School to fulfill their needs. The I-CAR Education Foundation will also be working together with industry partners who will be providing in-kind product donations to the winning school as part of their winning grant.

The winning school was announced during NACE at the I-CAR Education Foundation’s First Annual Donor Recognition Reception, where donors were brought together to see the valuable work that the Education Foundation provides to career and technical schools and colleges. This grant opportunity, as well as the other scholarships and grants offered by the I-CAR Education Foundation, are funded by the Collision Repair Education Campaign, which is hosted by the I-CAR Education Foundation. The funds for the Collision Repair Education Campaign are provided through donations from all collision industry segments.