Collision Lunch & Learn: Stop Stealing Technicians. Start Building Them

Stop Stealing Technicians. Start Building Them.

Presented by: I-CAR and Justin Bettendorf
Business Development Principal, Northwest

Tuesday, September 8, 2026
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Every shop owner is facing the same challenge: you need technicians, but experienced techs are harder to find than ever, and the ones that are available often are not properly trained.

The industry's workforce is aging, fewer young people are entering the trade, and many who do leave the industry do so within their first few years. Meanwhile, shops continue playing musical chairs and competing for the same limited pool of experienced technicians.

So what's the long-term solution?

Join us for this Collision Lunch & Learn featuring Justin Bettendorf from I-CAR as we explore how successful shops are creating their own pipeline of talent through structured training, mentorship, and Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Programs.

In this session, you'll learn:

• Why the technician shortage is expected to worsen over the next five years
• The realities of today's technician workforce and what younger technicians are looking for from employers
• How apprenticeship programs help shops develop entry-level talent into productive team members
• How structured training and career paths improve retention and reduce turnover
• Available incentives and support programs for participating shops
• How I-CAR's Registered Apprenticeship Program can help you recruit, train, retain future technicians, and build a rockstar team
• The benefit of training a new technician to repair vehicles correctly versus trying to break bad habits

If you're tired of hoping the next experienced technician walks through your door, this session will show you how to build a sustainable workforce strategy for the future.

The shops that win over the next decade won't be the ones that hire the most technicians.

They'll be the ones that develop them.

Join us and learn how to build your bench, strengthen your culture, and create the next generation of collision repair professionals.

LUNCH & LEARN ZOOM ONLY

Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 830 1766 9846

One-Tap Mobile:
1 (253) 205-0468