AIA to assume responsibility for I-CAR training in Canada as of May 2010

The Automotive Industries Associations (AIA) will officially assume responsibility for I-CAR training in Canada as of May 1, 2010, AIA president Marc Brazeau told delegates at the Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF) on Jan. 23 in Toronto.The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) is a non-profit organization that develops and delivers technical training programs to professionals in all areas of the collision industry. Based on financial difficulties I-CAR International faced in 2007, the board undertook a comprehensive review of what was being done and where it was being done, I-CAR International president and CEO John Edelen said at the CCIF’s Toronto meeting. The question arose as to whether Canada was better served by an I-CAR set of activities that were led and managed in Canada or in the United States. I-CAR continued its Canadian operations into 2010, after an RFP process and resultant negotiations with AIA showed progress in late 2009, Edelen said.  “The original plan was for I-CAR, under its current structure, to cease operations in Canada as of the end of 2009,” Edelen said. “But based on material progress that I-CAR and AIA were making in November, the I-CAR board of directors said: ‘We’re not going to do that. We’re certainly not going pull out from the [Canadian] marketplace. At this point in time, we’re going to continue to work with AIA and see if we can’t see this thing through.” Brazeau said the AIA is now committed to a “seamless transition,” in which AIA would take over I-CAR International’s Canadian training operations in May 2010. “AIA has made significant progress in the last year,” he said. “We believe the association is well-positioned, has a strong track record and is certainly supported by its members . . . AIA would like to move forward in having responsibilities for the management and the delivery of first class I-CAR training in Canada.”