The ASE Education Foundation has made updates to its collision certification standards, with a focus on creating a new area of accreditation called “Collision Repair and Refinish Fundamentals.” This new area includes 121 distinct skills/tasks and requires a minimum of 300 hours of combined classroom and lab instruction. It emphasizes five core skill areas that are highly valued by employers: damaged vehicle disassembly, reassembly, small dent repair, plastic repair, and prep for refinish. The purpose of this new accreditation is to provide schools and local businesses with another pathway for preparing students for entry-level positions in high-demand skills.
In addition to the collision repair and refinish standards, the updated standards now include new hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) safety tasks that are required for all students in ASE-accredited programs. Two new sections on mechanical and electrical components have also been added for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and hybrid and EV service procedures. These additions ensure that students receive proper training on handling and servicing EVs and ADAS systems.
The accreditation is intentional limited in scope to allow students to focus on fundamental skills in collision repair, and it is not required for programs accrediting in other areas. The existing areas of accreditation will continue to be offered alongside this new area. The committee also made updates to foundational skills and workplace employability skills, including the inclusion of appropriate personal electronic devices and workplace inclusion.
The new standards will become requirements in January. It is important for schools and businesses to adapt their curriculum and training to meet these updated standards in order to provide students with the necessary skills for success in the evolving automotive industry.
Sources:
– ASE Education Foundation (source article)
– Lurah Lowery (author)
– Getty Images (featured image)