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Collision Engineering Program receives $700,000 grant from ECMC Foundation

The program replicates Ranken Technical College’s two-year apprenticeship model at schools across the U.S.

St. Louis.—The Collision Engineering Program has received a $700,000 grant from ECMC Foundation to support the growth and expansion of the industry-leading program’s efforts. With foundational support provided by the Enterprise Holdings Foundation, the program is designed to attract and develop entry-level talent to fill essential roles within the collision repair industry and enhance retention and advancement among collision repair technicians.

With nearly 100,000 new entrant collision technicians needed between 2021 and 2025, according to the TechForce Foundation, the Collision Engineering Program addresses the ongoing industry technician shortage and skills gap.

The program replicates Ranken Technical College’s unique two-year apprenticeship model at schools across the United States. Students gain real-world education working alongside industry experts while also earning their associate degree.

Currently, the program is in its second year of a two-year pilot at four schools across the country — Ranken Technical College in St. Louis; College of Lake County in Grayslake, Ill; Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Calif; and Texas State Technical College in Waco, Texas.

“We’re excited about the innovative, five-semester associate degree Collision Engineering Program at Ranken Technical College, which employs an eight-week rotation between on-campus coursework and paid work-based learning,” said Jennifer Zeisler, Career Readiness Senior Program Director, ECMC Foundation. “We’re proud to support a program that seeks to address the need for a skilled and diverse collision technician workforce and believe this unique institution-led, earn-and-learn model will serve as a valuable blueprint for institutions looking to implement work-based learning programs.”

The grant from ECMC Foundation will support phase two of the program. Phase one focused on piloting the program at four schools across the country. Phase two will build upon the efforts of the pilot program, establishing at least four additional partner colleges over the next three years. ECMC Foundation’s contribution will provide startup costs to launch the program at partner colleges, enable the program to hire additional staff and provide continued support for existing partner colleges.

“We’re tremendously proud that our model has been recognized as the gold standard for connecting hands-on industry experience with education,” said Don Pohl, president of Ranken Technical College. “The Collision Engineering Program helps partnering institutions adjust to the rapid pace of vehicle innovation and connectivity and brings meaningful training to students. This support from ECMC Foundation will allow the program to expand its reach and impact nationwide.”

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