HD Repair Forum

Before the Repair Starts

Before the Repair Starts features a demonstration of a job file review process in accordance with industry practices and shop standard operating procedures (SOPs). Students will learn to identify the documentation that makes up a typical job file and examine how the staff of a collision repair facility uses these documents.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate job file review processes.
• Explain insurance needs (including DRP and non-DRP).
• Identify express jobs using a checklist of express-related items.
• Demonstrate mapping a customer vehicle.

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Building Effective Vendor and Insurer Relationships

Building effective customer and vendor relationships is vital for any successful business. Relationships begin with open communication, key to avoiding and navigating conflicts when they arise. This online course reviews common communication scenarios a collision repair shop’s Production Manager may encounter, effective communication tools, and guidance to avoid miscommunication. Conflict scenarios and resolution strategies are also examined to help ensure the best possible outcomes.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Describe how open communication is key to avoiding conflicts with outside sources
• Explain that relationships must be established with outside sources
• Identify communication tools used to work with outside sources
• How to avoid and resolve conflicts that arise with insurance companies, parts or supply vendors, and sublet vendors

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Developing New Talent

Developing New Talent will provide instruction on forming partnerships in the community to recruit talent. The course emphasizes the importance of relationships with local schools, career fairs and career day events. Students then discuss job shadowing and the facility’s internal structure.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Recruit new talent from the community using industry best practices
• Conduct career day and career fair events
• Implement a job shadow program
• Create career paths to support the development of new talent within the collision repair facility
• Implement an apprenticeship program

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Developing the Team and the Business

Developing the Team and Business explains the value of employee mentoring and quality employee reviews for both the employee and the business. Next the course focuses on common workflow interruption costs, shop KPIs, and communication of metrics.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Perform employee mentoring/coaching using various leadership models.
• Perform team member reviews using a management system.
• Coordinate team member training and safety-related needs.
• Communicate shop metrics to leadership team using a management system.
• Monitor shop KPIs using a management system.

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Electric & Hybrid Vehicles Estimatics

The course is designed for the student that is well versed in writing estimates and wants an edge and insight into the quickly emerging Hybrid and Electric vehicle market that is approaching worldwide.

Our hands-on approach uses cutaways, visual aids and a rare inventory of late model Hybrid and Electric vehicles. This enables the student to generate damage estimates on these Hybrid and Electric vehicles and understand the safety and knowledge needed to write and repair these vehicles. This two day course will review the drivetrain options, ever changing battery technology, and various types of vehicles including EV conversion market which will have special estimating techniques and ACV considerations. Emphasis is given to new generation vehicles and the new products, materials, and accessories being manufactured today.

After successfully completing this course, the student will have the skills and knowledge to prepare a complete and accurate electronic estimate using automated system data as well as a practical repair technique to estimate these vehicles as they come forward. In addition student will be introduced to the latest EV publications and increasing EV companies.

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Gaining Efficiencies Through Blueprinting

Implementing blueprinting as part of a collision repair process could be one of the best business decisions a shop can make. This online course starts by reviewing and defining the blueprinting process and efficiencies a shop can gain. We’ll also review how blueprinting is used for repairs of all sizes as well as hear from industry experts regarding their experience with blueprinting and the many benefits associated with its implementation when part of a shop’s repair process.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Define blueprinting
• Explain efficiencies gained by implementing a blueprinting process
• Implement blueprinting in any size facility
• Implement blueprinting in any type of repair
• Describe staffing needs for blueprinting
• Describe responses to negative reactions about the blueprinting process
• Compare and contrast initial estimate with blueprint
• Identify instances where initial estimate is still useful

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Hiring to Support Your Shop’s Learning Culture

Hiring to Support Your Shop’s Learning Culture is designed to help those who manage production in shops to hire the candidates who will most likely possess the traits and behaviors needed to thrive in a learning culture environment. This course focuses on the importance in hiring the right people for developing and maintaining a successful learning culture.

Learning Objectives

• Identify desirable behaviors that contribute to a learning culture
• Examine the traits of Millennials
• Examine advertisement terms for job postings that support a learning culture
• Identify the types of interview questions that uncover desirable behaviors of a learning culture

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Hazardous Airborne Pollutants

Hazardous Airborne Pollutants will identify environmental compliance requirements for hazardous airborne pollutants. You will learn to identify hazardous airborne pollutants, regulations for hazardous airborne pollutants, how to develop an in-house program to manage compliance, and how to reduce hazardous airborne pollutants in your facility. Refinishing techniques related to hazardous airborne pollutant reduction will also be discussed.

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Hazardous Waste Disposal

Hazardous Waste Disposal examines the appropriate training and identification regarding hazardous waste. This course explains how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determines when a substance becomes a waste and the different EPA guidelines that quantify the classes of generated waste. Instruction is provided on the proper clean-up and disposal of leaks and spills of potentially hazardous materials including recycling and emergency spill kits.

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Hybrid Vehicle Identification and Damage Analysis

Hybrid Vehicle Identification and Damage Analysis explains the different types and parts of hybrid vehicles, hybrid vehicle identification and safety procedures when working with hybrid vehicles.

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Implementing a Learning Culture

Implementing a Learning Culture introduces students to how business performance can improve by implementing a learning culture. There is discussion on the value of knowledge as a sustainable competitive advantage for the business. The course provides a deep look at each of the roadblocks to implementing a learning culture and how to remove them.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Improve your business performance by implementing a learning culture
• Discuss the value of knowledge as a sustainable competitive advantage for a business
• Identify the main roadblocks a shop will need to address when implementing a learning culture
• Implement learning expectations in the repair facility
• Commit to being an expert and how to implement that in a repair facility
• Share knowledge and how to implement sharing in the repair facility
• Discuss the concept of systems thinking
• Create and implement a shared vision in the repair facility

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Improving Your Shop’s Cycle Time

Cycle time is an important piece of overall shop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Cycle time is more than returning the customer’s vehicle quickly. This online course begins with taking a look at what cycle time is and how it can be broken down into smaller sub-groups that play a significant role in a shop’s overall “Keys to Keys” cycle time. Next, we’ll take a look at “Cycle Time Bandits” that can lead to inefficiencies in the repair process. Finally, the course reviews strategies for eliminating cycle time bandits and implementing process improvements.  .

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Assess the shop’s current cycle time
• Identify opportunities to improve cycle time in the areas of customer contact, scheduling, parts handling, organization, and eliminating waste
• Observe and assess the shop’s repair process through process walkthroughs
• Identify specific cycle time improvement solutions and how to implement them

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Learning Culture Overview

Learning Culture Overview will show how repair facilities that embrace a learning culture improve on key performance indicators (KPIs). The course will define what a learning culture is and address its key principles. Students will see how a learning culture can maximize everything a repair facility does while helping to minimize liability issues and customer complaints.

After completing this course, you will be able:

• Understand the importance of the I-CAR study observations
• Describe an industrial age mind-set and how to identify it
• Apply the principles of knowledge management
• Understand the definition of a learning culture
• Discuss the key principles of a learning culture
• Discuss the benefits of a learning culture

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Matching the Repair to the Team

Matching the Repair to the Team begins with a look at the industry standard capabilities each technician or team in a repair facility has. The instructor will explore the importance of using a computer management system to determine current workload and doing spot checks to keep track of a technician’s skill set. Students will learn how to assign a job and keep the job updated using a tracking system.

After completing this course, you will be able:

• Identify staff capabilities and workload using a computer management system
• Explain how to assign a job to an available technician or team using a computer management system
• Perform estimate and vehicle review with assigned technician using shop SOPs
• Communicate current job status using a computer management system
• Identify available workflow availability by the technician/team using a computer management system

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Optimizing Processes, Equipment, and Compliance

Optimizing Process, Equipment, and Compliance introduces the learner to what is required to ensure that a collision repair shop is efficient, properly maintained, and how to follow good inventory practices.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the 5S Lean Process and how it relates to optimized workflow
• Inspect the building to determine maintenance issues
• Understand parking lot, building, and vehicle security measures
• Know the importance of equipment maintenance and maintenance schedules
• Understand regulatory compliance issues and listing steps required to ensure the shop stays in compliance
• Know the importance of determining proper inventory levels and storage areas

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Problem Solving for Workflow Changes

Problem Solving for Workflow Changes introduces students to common types of workflow disruptions. The instructor will present how to manage a proper workflow when problems arise and how to evaluate the need for workflow changes. Next, the instructor will discuss making workflow changes according to staffing availability. Students will learn how to adjust for sublet work and supplements, as well as what to do regarding waiting for parts and working through equipment maintenance.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Assess workflow problems and evaluate work-in-process for potential solutions
• Determine technician workload through work-in-process analysis for developing staffing solutions
• Determine staffing needs based on workflow problems and how to reassign technician work based on skill, OEM training, and/or availability
• Manage workflow adjustments with outside vendors to ensure a smooth repair process
• Demonstrate how to adjust delivery dates and adjust technician workload based on supplement changes to the repair
• Demonstrate how to revise a repair schedule based on a parts order delay

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Quality Is Your Business

Quality is Your Business presents the importance of the Production Manager role in verifying that technicians complete quality control checklists using SOPs, and that key procedures are followed.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Verify technicians complete quality control checklists using shop SOPs
• Match parts invoices to the repair order invoice
• Verify customer requests are completed
• Compare all repair orders, sublet work, and supplements
• Discuss the importance of quality checks after the repair
• Examine overall repair quality using shop SOPs

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Refining the Team and the Business

In Refining the Team and the Business, students will learn how to develop staffing levels to determine the right number of personnel to efficiently run the business and the importance of PTO standard operating procedures (SOPs) for holidays, vacation, and sick time. The course reviews many of the training programs that are available to the collision repair industry.

Learning Objectives

• Perform human capital functions using human resource guidelines and business rules
• Identify production staffing needs using a staffing model
• Schedule team member vacations using a management system and calendar
• Verify team member training is current per shop needs using a training schedule
• Monitor worker safety using safety guidelines

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Safety Data Sheets and Labels

Safety Data Sheets and Labels explains why hazardous materials regulations were developed and covers the information found in a safety data sheet (SDS). Students will learn how to interpret SDS information and how to apply it. Students will also learn to identify and explain the different types of labels, recognize the specified elements of supplier labels, and know the difference between supplier, workplace, and “other means of identification” labels.

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Speaking the KPI Language

Speaking the KPI Language breaks down the KPIs that one managing production needs to continuously monitor. It provides some beneficial tips and thought process tools useful during production management to help manage the things that can affect their own KPIs. It provides instructions so that when completed, the person responsible for managing production can calculate various elements of the KPIs, which can provide areas for improvement.

Learning Objectives

• Discuss some alternative methods that can help try to reduce supplements
• Calculate touch time, key-to-key days, severity average, and loyal customer percentage scores
• Recognizing different network programs or relationships a facility may participate in
• Describe the four key elements to be concerned with during every repair
• Describe procedures to help manage and balance different repairs
• Describe how severity can be managed

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Strengthening Your In-Process Quality Controls

Strengthening Your In-Process Quality Controls identifies some very common concerns and quality issues that are experienced throughout the industry. It will help those in production management to identify what the current state of their facility is and if any of these common problems are occurring. It will also emphasize the importance of having quality checks and standards documented and in place how they can really benefit the facility.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Identify the importance of quality checks and standard operating procedures
• Learn how to identify current state
• Identify quality checks and processes to write a better estimate
• Discuss how quality checks and processes reduce or eliminate rework or quality defect during structural and non-structural repairs
• Identify quality checks and processes to reduce or eliminate rework or quality defects during the refinishing process

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Synchronizing Workflow through Team Communication

Synchronizing Workflow through Team Communication is designed to show the importance of communication with all customers and departments using a computerized management system. The instructor will demonstrate the tools a production manager will use, as well as how to conduct review and release meetings with the technicians.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Recognize the tools needed to conduct review and release meetings with the technicians
• Understand the value of using and updating a computer management system
• Identify the communication methods needed to properly share information with the team
• Know the principles of conducting cycle time, quality, and work-in-process reviews
• Implement awareness skills and identify roadblocks in production
  

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Tractor Trailer Estimatics

This course includes collision repair, paint, DEF systems and the latest information on hybrid and electric semi trucks. This course begins with an emphasis on tractors, nomenclature, estimating guides, suspensions, cab and body construction, frames, fifth wheels, diesel engines and wear items. The course covers the construction and design of trailers. Also emphasized are frames, sub-frames and panel repairs, mechanical, electrical and refrigeration trailer applications.

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Trucking and Commercial Vehicle Claims

The course focuses on issues relevant to commercial auto claims, trucking liability, and cargo losses. Students participate in workshops and case studies to build skills, increase confidence and encourage analytic decision making for commercial risks. Upon successful completion of this course, the student should have the skills necessary to evaluate a file for negotiating, determine the range, evaluate circumstances and other important factors that affect the range, and demonstrate the ability to properly negotiate a claim to conclusion.

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Understanding Cycle Time

Understanding Cycle Time explains what cycle time is and how reducing it can benefit the collision repair facility. This course discusses the basics of measuring cycle time, identifies the waste that hurts cycle time, and lists lean processes and SOPs that can be used to reduce cycle time. The importance of proper upfront damage analysis (i.e. blueprinting) can be used to reduce problems that commonly occur toward the back end of the repair process. Finally, cycle time issues that commonly occur in different departments of the repair facility are examined.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Determine how to measure cycle time
• Identify waste in the collision repair process
• Overview of repair process tasks that can affect cycle time
• Identify programs that can be used to reduce cycle time issues
• List ideas for cycle time improvement for each department

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Understanding Your Part in Profit and Loss

Understanding the connection between the profit and loss (P&L) statement and all components within the collision repair process is critical to the success of any business. In this online course a P&L statement is reviewed, and common categories and sub-categories are addressed to help identify areas where profits for a shop may be negatively impacted. Areas of the P&L statement a production manager can have the most influence over are covered as well as strategies to measure and improve performance in those negatively impacted areas. Suggestions for communicating performance results to the team are provided to engage the whole shop in its success.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Learn how to perform gross profits and net profits calculations
• Determine how to use a P&L statement to monitor labor gross profits
• Understand how to monitor parts gross profits
• Discuss ways of positively impacting sublet gross profits

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Vehicle Protection During the Repair Process

Vehicle Protection During the Repair Process will help identify steps to promote vehicle safety during the initial inspection. Learn to identify steps for safe vehicle check-in, towing, and moving. Steps to promote production shop safety are provided. Learn to identify production shop safety steps related to teardown, alternate fuel vehicles, parts storage, frame rack, major mechanical, body repairs, welding and heating, and refinishing.

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Vehicle Construction Material Types

Vehicle Construction Material Types introduces how vehicle makers use a variety of materials to transfer collision energy around the passenger compartment and how to identify the different material types.

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Workflow Essentials

Workflow Essentials provides an understanding of supplements and how they affect costs and key performance indicators (KPIs). Students learn how to evaluate the work in process with an introduction to the tools used by a production manager. The course introduces students to the concept of determining what the capacity of their shop is by looking at the big picture first.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Understand how supplements affect production, costs, and staff by identifying missing items, time involved, and repair or replace decisions for each job
• Survey the shop floor using the quality control, roadblock, and parts status techniques taught in this course
• Determine the facility capacity by using the big picture approach
• Identify the right technicians for the jobs to increase efficiency
• Understand how to analyze paint shop and estimating capacity for the facility
• Match up the equipment needs to the jobs in process
• Apply the proper staff at the right times while encouraging a learning culture

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Working Safely Around Hazardous Materials

Working Safely Around Hazardous Materials discusses the ways workers may be exposed to hazardous materials and their effects on the body. You will learn to identify hazardous material exposure situations and hazardous material categories. Learners will receive instruction on how to identify protective clothing, eye protection, hearing protection, and respiratory protection recommended for use around hazardous materials.

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Workplace Safety

Workplace Safety will help you identify safety protocols when working at a repair facility. You will learn work and tool safety, storage regulations, repair facility maintenance and emergency handling protocols, and workplace education requirements.

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Tractor Trailer Estimatics

This course includes collision repair, paint, DEF systems and the latest information on hybrid and electric semi trucks. This course begins with an emphasis on tractors, nomenclature, estimating guides, suspensions, cab and body construction, frames, fifth wheels, diesel engines and wear items. The course covers the construction and design of trailers. Also emphasized are frames, sub-frames and panel repairs, mechanical, electrical and refrigeration trailer applications.

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Trucking and Commercial Vehicle Claims

The course focuses on issues relevant to commercial auto claims, trucking liability, and cargo losses. Students participate in workshops and case studies to build skills, increase confidence and encourage analytic decision making for commercial risks. Upon successful completion of this course, the student should have the skills necessary to evaluate a file for negotiating, determine the range, evaluate circumstances and other important factors that affect the range, and demonstrate the ability to properly negotiate a claim to conclusion.

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Intro to Collision Repair: Seam Sealers

Introduction to the seam sealer materials used during collision repair.

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Intro to Collision Repair: Coatings

Introduction to the Coating materials used to restore Corrosion Protection during collision repair.

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Intro to Collision Repair: Body Filler

Introduction to Dent Repair and the materials used during collision repair.

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Intro to Collision Repair: Paint Finishing Systems

Introduction to the Paint Finishing Systems used during collision repair.

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Additional 3M Courses

3M offers a total of 32 courses that can be found in 3M’s Learning Marketplace.  These courses will teach you a variety of techniques that are used in a wide range of collision repair specialties.  Cost ranges from Free to $25-$50 per session.  Courses are typically 1 hour in duration and are available On-Demand Online.

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Introduction to Two-Sided Plastic Repair

Introduction to Two-Sided Plastic Repair helps students identify a two-sided repair and lists the steps required to prepare a damaged area for the repair process. How to repair a damage by creating a repair taper and applying adhesive and reinforcement material is also covered. Additionally, steps for repairing damaged tabs to bumper covers is explained in addition to how to work with plastic welding equipment, such as hot air welders and airless welders.

Prerequisite:
Introduction to Plastics and Single-Sided Repairs

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Plastic Repair Hands-On Skills Development

The hands-on course, Plastic Repair Hands-On Skills Development builds on prior online learning about repairing plastic. The instructor will monitor key performance indicators so the non-structural technician can properly identify and repair damaged plastic automotive parts. The students will perform four activities on plastic bumper cover pieces: two-sided adhesive repair, adhesive tab repair with pinning, airless welding repair and nitrogen/hot air welding repair.

Students will demonstrate their proficiency at important stages of the repair that instructors will verify with their signature. At the end of the course, students will leave with enhanced real-world experience as well as useful handouts that include standard operating procedures for each plastic repair activity they performed.

Prerequisites:

Introduction to Two-Sided Plastic Repair

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Collision Repair Materials 101: Abrasives

This introductory course explores the fundamentals of abrasives. Topics include, how they are made, various uses, trouble-shooting, application guide and much-much more. Make sure to read the 3M Terms of Use before accessing the course.

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I-CAR Heavy-Duty Truck Package

These I-CAR courses were packaged for technicians to provide foundational training for complete, safe and quality collision repairs in the medium and heavy duty truck space. These six self-study courses focus on damage analysis, single and double-sided plastic repair, and scan tools and diagnostics. Each interactive course is available online and one hour or less in duration.

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