07/20/2024
Interns from Seidner's Collision Centers recently attended a CIECA VDI Committee meeting to learn more about the collision industry.
"Our interns are not just here to observe, but to learn and grow," said Gene Lopez, Seidner's Director of Development and Training and an active CIECA committee member. "Each one will have access to the five skill sets that collision center owners and managers expect from an entry-level technician: removing and replacing a bolted-on part, fixing a small dent, preparing a vehicle to be painted, final detailing a vehicle for delivery and plastic repair.
Lopez said the 20-day, 80-hour Seidner’s Collision Center Internship Program is a testament to the company's commitment to nurturing talent and preparing them for successful careers in the industry.
Interns also gain experience in parts and production management, color sanding, and polishing, good safety and health practices, and working with hazardous materials and hazardous waste.
Seidner's coordinates its internship program with Amy Foell, a Workforce Development Consultant for the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership and the K12 Foothill Consortium. The consortium represents Azusa, Charter Oak, Duarte, and Monrovia Unified School Districts’ career technical education (CTE) pathways and industry stakeholders.
"We aim to educate and train students to provide a community-sourced talent pool to sustain a healthy, balanced local economy," said Lopez. "Career and technical education are crucial to closing the skills gap in our economy and remaining globally competitive."
L to R: Saul Vargas, a Duarte High School graduate; Brandon Gonzales and Angel Velasquez, both from Azusa High School; Anissa Viera, the dedicated Seidner’s Guest Service Representative; Giovanni Andres, another student from Azusa High School; Jose Rubio, a recent Azusa High School graduate; and Erik Medina Castro, who is a candidate to become an entry-level technician Seidner's internship program.