GLEN MILLS, PA — Paint and coatings manufacturer Axalta has joined I-CAR's Sustaining Partner Program in North America, effective Jan. 1, 2020. Axalta's participation in the program offers refinish students more accessible and affordable training, either virtually or in person, at any of Axalta's Learning and Development Centers, while earning platinum I-CAR credit at no charge from the accreditor. The program delivers relevant education and solutions to the industry, assisting technicians with future employment opportunities and giving them the knowledge to provide customers with safe and skillful repairs.

"We are deeply committed to collision-repair education. By expanding our partnership through I-CAR's Sustaining Partner Program, we can also extend our prolific I-CAR credited course offering to customers while eliminating the I-CAR fee charged in collecting course credit from third-party instructors," said Troy Weaver, Vice President of Axalta, Global Refinish. "This no-cost training program helps our customers keep their I-CAR recognition valid to continue to repair vehicles with the safety and repair knowledge they need to be successful."

"I-CAR commends Axalta for its continued commitment to support I-CAR and the collision-repair inter-industry by becoming one of our newest Sustaining Partners," said Stacey Wesselink, Associate Vice President of Marketing and Segment Development. "Axalta joins the program's mission to increase accessibility to quality, relevant training and the innovative ways I-CAR education is delivered for both industry professionals and career and technical schools nationwide."

As a longtime partner of I-CAR, Axalta understands the importance of offering I-CAR credited training courses to assist customers and certify or recertify collision-repair technicians. Participation in the new Sustaining Partner Program allows Axalta's customers to continue training using their own refinish brands while earning I-CAR credits to meet their personal training goals.

I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, is an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing technicians with the information, knowledge and skills needed to perform safe and quality automotive repairs. I-CAR established the Sustaining Partner Program to help address the industry's technician shortage and provide students with attainable and affordable training.