新非营利组织Champion It Forward成立：为碰撞维修行业培养技师，行业岗位空缺超55%
一家新成立的独立501(c)(3)非营利组织Champion It Forward于10月27日正式启动，目标是为汽车碰撞维修行业培养下一代技师，通过教育、培训、导师制与学徒机会拓宽从业通道。
该组织援引的最新行业数据显示，美国汽车车身维修技师岗位目前有超过55%处于空缺状态，未来五年预计需要近10万名技师。Champion It Forward的早期优先事项包括：提升碰撞维修行业与技能工种作为职业选择的认知；通过奖学金降低技术培训、认证与带薪学徒的费用门槛；并联合汽车保险公司、供应商与教育机构，共同投资下一代碰撞维修技师。
启动资金已有著落：碰撞维修服务商Crash Champions今年9月在其年度Champions Classic慈善高尔夫活动中，为该组织筹得30万美元。组织早期项目包括带薪学徒、教育支持与工具补助，董事会还获得LKQ、3M等汽车行业企业高管的支持。
Crash Champions创始人兼首席执行官Matt Ebert表示，该组织旨在把汽车与碰撞维修行业的力量团结起来，投资人才，扩大培训与导师机会，让下一代技师拥有成功所需的工具与机会。3M汽车售后部门总裁、该组织董事会成员Dave Gunderson表示，Champions Classic筹得的30万美元将帮助组织把行业共识转化为实际行动。
（来源：Champion It Forward）
New Nonprofit Champion It Forward Launches to Train Collision Repair Technicians as Industry Vacancy Tops 55%
Champion It Forward, a new independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, launched on October 27 with a mission to equip and champion the next generation of automotive collision repair professionals through education, training, mentorship and apprenticeships.
The need is significant: according to the latest industry data cited by the organization, more than 55 percent of auto body repair technician roles in the United States are currently unfilled, with demand for nearly 100,000 technicians projected over the next five years. The organization's early priorities include building awareness of the collision repair industry and the skilled trades as viable careers, reducing financial barriers to technical training, certifications and paid apprenticeships through scholarships, and bringing together insurers, suppliers and educators to invest in the next generation of technicians.
Early funding is already in place: collision repair provider Crash Champions raised $300,000 for the organization at its annual Champions Classic charity golf outing in September. Early programs include paid apprenticeships, educational support and tool grants, and the board of directors includes executive leaders from industry companies such as LKQ and 3M.
"Champion It Forward is designed to unite the automotive and collision repair industries in support of building and sustaining a strong workforce," said Matt Ebert, founder and CEO of Crash Champions. Dave Gunderson, president of 3M's Automotive Aftermarket Division and a board member of the organization, said the $300,000 raised through the Champions Classic gives the organization the ability to begin turning shared commitment into action.
(Source: Champion It Forward)
来源：Champion It Forward
发布：GSM·美国（发布链接）
图片来源：非营利组织Champion It Forward官方标识（机构供图）
GSM Global · 本篇英文版 English edition of this story
