The Collision Engineering Career Alliance (The Alliance) today announced expanding its U.S. footprint through a new partnership with the North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) in Wahpeton, N.D. The school will begin offering the industry-leading Collision Engineering program this fall through its existing Auto Body Repair and Refinishing Technology program.
Partnering with schools across the country, The Alliance aims to help fill the more than 100,000 job openings expected through 2028 by bringing together education and industry to transform how collision repair technicians are trained and retained. The immersive two-year associate degree program is designed around a hybrid, work-based learning model. Students rotate every eight weeks between classroom instruction and paid apprenticeships at trusted collision repair facilities. This unique model provides students the opportunity to earn an income while completing their training.
"We’re committed to providing an ideal environment for students seeking both academic excellence and a well-rounded college experience," said Terry Marohl, North Dakota State College of Science associate dean of transportation. "We’re excited to bring this program to students and to help strengthen the future of collision repair in our local communities."
NDSCS is the first college in the Northern Plains region to offer the Collision Engineering program, making it a unique option for those interested in collision repair. The school’s comprehensive campus experience and wide market reach across North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and surrounding areas will help broaden the reach of The Alliance to more students and collision repair shops in the U.S.
"Highly skilled collision repair professionals are a necessity for every community,” said Mary Mahoney, who serves as vice president of Enterprise Mobility and leads the Collision Engineering Career Alliance. "As vehicle types and technology evolve at a rapid pace, the next generation of technicians must be prepared to implement safe and comprehensive car repairs. We are thrilled to partner with the North Dakota State College of Science to broaden the reach of our mission, serve more communities and offer a successful, long-term career path to students throughout the region."
The North Dakota State College of Science will welcome its first cohort of Collision Engineering students in the fall. For more information regarding the program at NDSCS, contact Terry Marohl at terry.marohl@ndscs.edu.
In addition to NDSCS, the Collision Engineering Career Alliance is active at partner schools across the country including Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, Mo.; College of Lake County in Grayslake, Ill.; Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Calif.; Parkland College in Champaign, Ill.; Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Neb.; and Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst, N.C.
The launch of the Collision Engineering Career Alliance as an official nonprofit earlier this year marked a powerful step forward in its mission to open doors and create lasting pathways to meaningful collision careers. Together with other partners in collision repair, automotive, insurance and education, the Alliance aims to break down barriers so more students in more communities can pursue these rewarding opportunities. Donations will help the Alliance recruit future talent, expand its reach to additional schools nationwide, and provide crucial support for student certifications, assessments, tuition reimbursement, and other quality-of-life needs. Those interested in supporting the next generation of collision engineering professionals can learn more and make a tax-deductible donation by clicking here.
