Hoffman Estates, Illinois — April 9, 2015 — The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) has announced a new quarterly schedule for course launches and updates, debuting this month.
With launches to follow in July and October for the remainder of 2015, the new schedule is designed to make it easier to plan for training needs, falling in line with I-CAR’s pledge to deliver accessible, enhanced and relevant education and improved customer support.
“I-CAR is committed to supporting the industry by continuing to improve delivery and timing of course availability,” says Josh McFarlin, I-CAR Director of Curriculum & Product Development. “This commitment is the driver behind setting a regular launch cadence for adding and maintaining courses in our training portfolio.”
The first quarterly launch includes a number of new and updated courses, including the introduction of the live, instructor-led Understanding and Preventing Refinish Defects (REF10)—which aims to enrich technicians’ refinish coatings knowledge and equip them with critical thinking techniques to troubleshoot, correct and apply on the job to improve work quality.
Relevant for refinish technicians, estimators, and auto physical damage appraisers following the I-CAR Professional Development Program, the course consists of three modules: Coatings Chemistry, Drying, and Curing; Surface Preparation, Equipment, and Application; and Troubleshooting and Correction.
Utilizing HD video, animation, classroom discussion and real-world case studies, students are taught how solvent and waterborne coatings react in a shop environment, how a technician’s knowledge of refinish coating chemistry can affect refinish work quality, how to identify and correct common and irregular refinish defects, and how to make adjustments to the refinish process according to environmental conditions.
“The newest refinish course delves deep into different coatings’ reactions, as well as their chemical makeup and environmental responses,” McFarlin says. “Understanding these compositions and reactions, and applying critical thinking skills learned in this course, are key to producing a quality refinish product. The importance of excellent refinish work is compounded by the fact that it is often the most visible portion of the repair by the consumer, and can therefore positively or negatively impact CSI scores.”
April’s launch also includes updates to Suspension Systems (STE02), Rack and Pinion and Parallelogram Steering Systems (STE03), Wheel Alignment and Diagnostic Angles (STE04), Collision Repair for General Motors Vehicles (GEN03), Collision Repair for Ford and Lincoln Vehicles (FOR05), and Induction Heaters (INH01e).
The six enhanced courses offer improvements such as new activities to increase learning effectiveness, HD videos, detailed imagery and charts, up-to-date technical content, and OEM-specific information. Students who complete, or have previously completed, the courses are granted 24/7 access to the latest versions through their myI-CAR accounts.
Additionally, I-CAR has launched the third in a series of American Honda-developed, I-CAR delivered online courses—Honda & Acura Restraints Collision Repair (HON12e). The one-hour module provides repair professionals with the critical information needed to perform proper and complete post-collision restraints system repairs on Honda and Acura vehicles. The course instructs students on how to locate Honda and Acura service information for restraints systems post-collision repairs, identify repair and inspection procedures, and then obtain and confirm the correct Honda and Acura restraints system replacement parts are installed.
For more information, please visit i-car.com.
