MADISON, Ind. – For the 27th consecutive year, Chief Automotive Technologies will sponsor the Collision Repair Technology Championship at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. The 2013 conference, held June 24-28 in Kansas City, brings student winners from statewide competitions together to compete for national championships in more than 90 disciplines.
 
Chief will supply most of the structural repair equipment for the Collision Repair Technology (CRT) event, including a frame rack, computerized measuring system and damage simulators. Chief also developed the written structural repair test to be administered during the contest. The winning CRT student will receive free registration for a future Chief University training class, and all participants will receive a Chief-branded flashlight.
 
Several Chief staff members will volunteer their time to help manage the event. Independent Chief University instructor Ken Soupene leads the CRT committee, which also includes Chief Global Repair Product Manager Richard Perry; Mike Croker of Chief distributor Automotive Technology Inc.; Tom Beachem and John Ressler of Nationwide Insurance; Marty Hettle, retired; and Bob Keith of CARSTAR. The group will help set up the structural repair CRT area, oversee testing, answer questions and supervise all week.
 
“We first got involved with SkillsUSA in 1986 to promote educational programs and give back to the industry,” said Perry. “It has been a very rewarding partnership. By working together, we can ensure the next generation of technicians is properly trained in the evolving field of structural damage analysis and repair.”
 
This year’s SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference is expected to draw more than 15,000 students, teachers and business partners from across the country. All championship competitions will be held Thursday, June 27 in the H. Roe Bartle Hall and Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City.
 
For the CRT contest, students will work against the clock and each other to demonstrate their metal straightening, welding, plastic repair and structural analysis abilities. Judging is based on the overall appearance of the finished product, safety practices employed, speed, written exams and an interview.
 
To learn more about SkillsUSA, visit www.skillsusa.org.
 
Additional information about Chief Automotive Technologies and its training arm, Chief University, can be found at www.chiefautomotive.com.