Collision Repair Contest changes - important

The national organization has made the decision to split the Collision Repair event into two separate events: Collision Repair Technology and Automotive Refinishing. Since this was a last minute decision which was not adequately communicated to state associations, the SkillsUSA Massachusetts Board of Directors has decided on the following course of action to supply contestants to both events at the National level for 2008 …

1. In Massachusetts there will be only one contest, which will encompass the skills for both Collision Repair Technology and Automotive Refinishing (the contest will be the same as in previous years at the Massachusetts Championships)
2. District exams will encompass the skills for both Collision Repair Technology and Automotive Refinishing and winners at the District level will be awarded in the standard practice. (top three per District - 12 at states)
3. At the state competition, the contest will encompass the skills for both Collision Repair Technology and Automotive Refinishing. However the refinishing section will be more in-depth and scoring rubrics will be enhanced for both the Collision Repair and Refinishing portions of the event. At the conclusion of the event, all scores will be tallied and TWO sets of winners will be announced. One for Collision Repair and one for Automotive Refinishing. Massachusetts will be entering two gold medal winners in the national competition one for Collision Repair and one for Automotive Refinishing.

Note: This is a one-year process. In 2009 SkillsUSA Massachusetts will split the events and offer both Collision Repair and Automotive Refinishing in the new format.